How to Donate Your Old Computer

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR COMPUTER FOR DONATION

Don't let your computer end up in a Dumpster!  Donate it!  But, before donating your computer, first make sure you clean all files off your hard drive.  Don't just delete them because the files aren't really gone forever.  Even reformatting the hard drive isn't enough today.  Your files have secret hiding places that can only be removed completely by using "sanitizing" software like "Eraser" http://sourceforge.net/projects/eraser/  a free tool which is recommended by techies like Ben Smyth at HCI Blog.... http://bensmyth.blogspot.com/2005/02/how-to-donate-your-old-computer.html 

For everything you need to know on donating computers, I urge you to read  Ten Tips for Donating a Computer by TechSoup.org.  For example, here is their comprehensive list of disk cleaning utilities.

Commercial Windows Disk Cleaning Software
Wipe Info feature in Norton Utilities and System Works
Paragon Disk Wiper
Webroot Window Washer
Tracks Eraser Pro
Wipedrive

Freeware Windows Disk Cleaning Software (all available at Shareware.com)
Eraser
Active@ Kill Disk: Hard Drive Eraser
Disk Cleaner
Sure Delete
BCWipe (shareware)

Macintosh Disk Cleaning Software
Wipe Info feature in Norton Utilities (using this, you can delete single documents and files)
iClean
SuperScrubber

WHERE TO DONATE IN MANHATTAN

You can now donate your old computers to Kenyan schoolchildren!  The NAPO-NY chapter has partnered with Manhattan Mini Storage and the "Help Kenya Project" to make usable computers available to Kenyan school children & villagers. After preparing it, just take your computer to any of the following Manhattan Mini Storage locations:

401 E. 110th St/First Ave
510 W. 21st St/Tenth Ave
220 South St.

For more info call Lenny Lazzarino at Manhattan Mini Storage at 212-631-5910

OTHER PLACES TO DONATE / REFURBISH COMPUTERS (EXCERPT FROM TECHSOUP) http://www.techsoup.org/products/recycle/articlepage.cfm?ArticleId=524

Refurbishers
We estimate that there are approximately 400 nonprofit and school-based refurbishers in the U.S. It's important to know that most Goodwill and Salvation Army locations around the country are no longer able to accept computer donations due to the cost of disposing of electronic waste.

• The largest listing of non-commercial refurbishers in the country can be found at the Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) Program Web site.
• The National Cristina Foundation lists a network of refurbishers online and at 203-863-9100.
• Computers for Schools also operates a network of non-commercial refurbishers online and at 800-939-6000.

Recyclers
Several commercial computer recyclers, such as Metech, Envirocycle, and Earth Protection Services accept donations in various locations around the country and make sure equipment is disposed of properly. Find additional listings for commercial recyclers at:

• ElectronicsRecycling.org
• The National Recycling Coalition's listing of Electronics Recyclers
• The National Safety Council's Electronic Equipment Recyclers Contact List
• The Electronic Industries Alliance listings

Comments

[Marc Freedman]

Ariane,

This was a delightful post and well connected to my P2P blog. P2P file sharing users typically download hundreds of gigabytes of files. They definitely be careful about removing these files when donating old computers.

See http://www.p2p-weblog.com/50226711/wipe_before_you_flush.php

Marc
A fellow LI Blogger