Search

Satisfying a Sweet Tooth

Efficient Computer Removal And Replacement Techniques

28 September 2015

Malou Leffers

Removing large numbers of computers can be a major project, especially if you're adding new systems. New computers may mean reusing some old resources, ranging from existing cables to removing components from old computers. To get the most out of old systems and to make removal easier in general, take time to understand a few reuse and removal techniques.

Parts Relevance And Removal

Whether you're getting rid of computers to vacate a department or upgrading to new computers, you need to consider their worth. Simply throwing the computers away is a waste of an investment, either because of recycling potential or because the parts can be reused.

Using old parts in new computers can be a bit difficult to understand at first, but modern computer building is something like putting together a puzzle; parts of related generations fit in with each other and can be used as long as they're not damaged or worn out.

Hard drives are one of the easiest parts to swap, allowing you to take an old drive out of one computer to put into a new computer. You can use the old drive as extra storage, or even as a replacement if the new computer's drive fails.

Unfortunately, hard drives tend to fail sooner than many other parts. This is because the use of a hard drive can lead to eventual wear and tear, namely from the platters used for data storage becoming scratched. Thankfully, there's a supply of aluminum and rare earth magnets that can be taken to a recycling center if the hard drive is completely broken.

Memory modules are a good example of how other components work for replacement or recycling. Instead of failing over a couple of years, components such as random access memory (RAM) are replaced by new speeds and standards that are far higher in speed differences than hard drive generations.

Many of these new generations perform their main functions in different ways, making the older version incompatible with the newer one. To avoid installation of incompatible hardware, RAM generations have notches in physically different places to block mixing of different modules and slots.

When choosing different parts for recycling versus reuse, make sure to check the compatibility and available connection space with the newer systems.

Removal Safety And Recycling Efficiency

Removing old computers may seem like a simple task, but it's anything but simple. The task is far more involved than carrying boxes.

If you plan on installing new systems, you'll need technicians to handle at least part of the removal. Not all cables and wires can be ripped unceremoniously from the back of the computer; certain components and cables have safety tabs or latches that can damage the actual computer or your cables if removed incorrectly.

If there are any missing side panels or exposed cases, removal personnel could cut themselves on the sharp sheet metal used to form the case. Safety gloves are necessary in these situations, but clumsy and impractical in others. Make sure that technicians perform a run-through of the removal before beginning.

Computers are densely packed with components and can be heavier than they look, especially when there's a long walk or stairs involved. At the end of the removal, there needs to be a recycling dumpster available that is easy to access. Many dumpsters have top-loading features or dumping windows located too high for heavy objects.

You'll need a model with a low opening or a clean, sanitized container that technicians can enter to safely place the computers. Contact a dumpster rental service to discuss recycling and pickup services.

Share