Old Computer Salvage

[Taz]

So I have four old computer desktops that I no longer use, the parts are still good. I want to ask the best way to modify these so I can make the best computer I can with what I have. Im going to list the computers best I can.

1. Dell Computer (Can't find the name)

• a. Serial No: 2KJWKC1
• Model No: DCNE
• Mfg. Date: 022007
• On the back where the ports are, it says: "2KJWKC1"

2. HP Pavilion p6710f PC

• Serial No: 4CE0480X02
• Product No. BV530AA#ABA
• Model No. p6710f
• AMD Athlon || 640 Quad-Core Processor
• 4GB DDR3 system memory
• ATI Radeon HD 4200 integrated graphics
• Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n
• 1TB hard drive
• SuperMulti DVD Burner with LightScribe Technology

3. Intel Computer

• Only thing written on this is these numbers: C66020-001
• And 272356
• P/N: 91.97020.B50
• S/N: 54017468
• "Intel Celeron D Inside"

4. Dell Dimension 4600

• "Intel Inside - pentium 4"
• Service Tag: 235JQ31
• Express Service Code: 4544281549

5. I also have a 1TB extra hard drive that I found in the garage

So basically what I am asking the geniuses on this forum, is to please help me out with switching and rearranging around parts the make the best desirable computer that I can make with the parts that I have. I know it seems like a long and tedious process and a lot of work for someone you don't even know or will benefit from but please I'm really asking some help. I'm new with computer hardware and how it works compatibility wise, thanks a lot.

 

[bazza007]

You'd probably be better off adding the second 1TB HDD to the HP one as that's seemingly the best of the bunch. There's not a lot you can do with the other parts especially as you haven't stated what's in the rest of them as they all can be swapped and changed easily enough.

Depending on what you'd be using it for the only real issue I can see with the HP desktop is the lack of RAM, but that's relatively cheap to upgrade anyway.

 

[Watch Me Sink]

Pentium 4 is trash, you might be able to get $20 for it on craigslist.

 

[Cosmic]

The HP Pavilion doesn't look too bad. Four gigs of RAM isn't all that bad though. Does the computer have any performance issues? You may not be able to improve it much if the other PCs don't offer anything better, although I guess you could salvage HDDs or RAM. I'd be cautious though: don't salvage a HDD from a really old computer. It can slow down a machine if it's out of repair. Better to use new HDDs when possible, as HDDs only have a shelf life of a few years before they start to go bad.

For some of the other machines, if they're slow, you can usually gain a whole lot of mileage out of them from:

1. Replace the HDD with a new one. HDDs slowly become slow and error prone as time passes, and having them fail or deplete is very common in old computers.

2. If changing the HDD didn't help, install an OS like Linux Mint or Ubuntu. Most people will want at least one Windows machine, but Linux is worth a try, especially on an old machine that's having a bit of trouble.

3. It's always worth checking to make sure no dust has accumulated inside. That can mess with the cooling process and throw a wrench in the works of everything. Canned air can be used to clean it out effectively.