Should I Sell or Trash My Crashed Computer?

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the decision-making process regarding whether to sell or dispose of a crashed Dell Inspiron computer. Participants share their personal experiences and opinions on the matter, including considerations about repair, resale value, and data security.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions that the hard drive is crashed and questions whether it is worth selling or should be trashed.
  • Another participant shares their experience of replacing a hard drive easily and suggests that it could be a viable option.
  • One participant states they have already purchased a new computer and do not want to invest more money into the old one.
  • Another participant notes that the resale price depends on the model and offers to look up specifications if provided with a serial number.
  • Several users mention the idea of keeping the computer as a second device after replacing the hard drive.
  • One participant shares their experience of selling the computer at a yard sale for $20 and expresses satisfaction that someone else may be able to repair it.
  • Another participant suggests that the computer could have fetched a higher price if sold online.
  • One participant raises a caution about selling computers with hard drives, emphasizing the importance of data security and suggesting that hard drives should be removed and destroyed before selling.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on whether to sell or repair the computer, with some participants advocating for repair and others opting for sale or disposal. No clear consensus emerges on the best course of action.

Contextual Notes

Participants share varying levels of technical knowledge and personal experiences with computer repairs and sales, reflecting a range of perspectives on the topic.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering the resale or disposal of old computers may find the shared experiences and viewpoints relevant to their own situations.

tabnat80
tabnat80
Gold Member
Messages
839
Ok. So most of you might remember that my dell inspiron computer crashed a few months back. Well, we are having a yardsale on Saturday and I just wanted to know if i should sell it or just trash it. The harddrive is crashed. If it had a new harddrive, it would work as good as new, but as of right now it's worthless. I just was curious if you think it would sell, how much should i ask, or should I just trash it. I'm not really a computer expert and I know some folks know how to tinker with broken stuff so i just need input. Thanks
 
I personally would not sell it, you can get a new hard drive cheap on ebay and all it takes is unscrewing a couple screws and pull out one hard drive and replace. It's easy, I did it in about 15 mins start to finish
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Well, we already bought a new one. So, I dont' want to put any more money into the old one.
 
Depends on the model for price...do you have a serial # on it - I can look up ALL the specs for you including mfg. date.
 
I would replace the hard drive and keep it as a 2nd computer.
 
DebbieJ said:
I would replace the hard drive and keep it as a 2nd computer.
Click to expand...

Depending on how old it is (I was reserving judgment on finding the model/date), I would do the same thing!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
It was an inspriron 5190. I got it about 4-1/2 years ago. I ended up selling it at the yardsale for 20 bucks. I was just happy someone got it. Maybe they can get it working again. thanks for the input.
 
tabnat80 said:
It was an inspriron 5190. I got it about 4-1/2 years ago. I ended up selling it at the yardsale for 20 bucks. I was just happy someone got it. Maybe they can get it working again. thanks for the input.
Click to expand...

They'll get it working fine probably and got a bargain!
You could have sold it on E-bay for much, much more.
 
Just a waring for everyone. I'm sure you already know this, but for those who may be considering selling a computer.

Please sell it WITHOUT the hard drive. I'm taking an Information Security and Intelligence class now, and it's amazing what you can get off a "broken" hard drive with shareware that's free on the internet. If you have EnCase software, used by professional digital forensics experts, you can find even more. We scrubbed a "broken" hard drive the other night and found credit card numbers, passwords, and a bunch of things I'm sure the person who previously owned the hard drive didn't want us to find.

Even scrubber/wiper programs aren't 100% effective against this software. We've been told dozens of times that the only complete way to destroy info on a hard drive is to just burn it.

Hard drives are easy to remove and set on fire in your driveway. The rest of the computer can then be sold, good as new. The new owner can buy their very own hard drive for pretty cheap.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I sell my crashed computer or just trash it?

It depends on the extent of the damage. If the computer is beyond repair or the cost of repairs exceeds its value, it may be better to trash it. However, if the damage is minor and can be fixed at a reasonable cost, selling it could be a viable option.

What are the signs that my crashed computer can still be sold?

If the computer powers on but has software issues, or if only certain components are damaged (like the hard drive), it may still be sellable. Additionally, if the computer is relatively new and has good specifications, it could attract buyers even if it needs repairs.

How can I determine the resale value of my crashed computer?

To determine the resale value, research similar models online to see what they are selling for in similar condition. Consider the cost of repairs and factor that into your pricing. Websites like eBay or Craigslist can provide insights into current market values.

What should I do with my crashed computer if I decide to trash it?

If you decide to trash your computer, ensure that you properly dispose of it by following local e-waste disposal regulations. Remove any personal data by wiping the hard drive or physically destroying it to protect your information.

Can I sell parts of my crashed computer instead of the whole unit?

Yes, selling parts can be a good option if the computer is not functioning as a whole. Components like RAM, hard drives, graphics cards, and motherboards can often be sold individually, sometimes at a higher total value than selling the entire unit.

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