Just a short time ago it was your pride and joy, and it cost such a fortune that you hid the credit card statement from your spouse.  This was “The last computer I’m ever going to have to buy,” because it was so much more powerful than you predicted you would ever need.  Now it’s a different story; it seems to take forever for programs to load, and browsing the web or even your hard drive is an exercise in patience or frustration, depending on how urgently you need the information.  Something is noisy in there, and that rattle might mean the hard drive is about to quit.   Maybe it’s time for a replacement after all.

Or maybe not!  If you have a look back at our previous columns about the causes and corrections for computer slowdowns, you might find a strategy for making your old machine your best friend again. 

Sometimes, though, a new or refurbished computer may be the best alternative.  Everybody’s situation is different, but if your computer is eight or more years old, then your RAM, processor, hard disk space and Operating System are probably too old for it to be cost-effective to update or repair them.  For example, an OS older than Windows XP (10 years or so) is not going to be compatible with current virus protection; RAM is going to be difficult to find and therefore quite expensive. . . and so on.  With decent refurbished computers starting at just a bit more than $100.00, and brand new honkin’ powerful Windows 7 machines just over $400.00, the cutoff for a reasonable amount to sink into repairs or upgrades arrives pretty quickly.

When the decision is made to buy another computer, the corollary is what to do with the old one.  The frustrating fact is that it is only the rare case where someone else could use it, even as a donation or a gift.  We here at Compu-Home do cannibalize old computers and make up systems to give to refugee families, but unfortunately it is rare for us to find useable and compatible parts, and we often go through literally dozens of computers before we can assemble the happy combination that will make one complete and useful placement in a New Canadian home.

You can keep and reuse some parts of your current system in your new setup.  Even monitors that are many years old are compatible with new computers, and you might find that you prefer your own keyboard and mouse over the ones that came with the new machine.  Don’t forget to allow for the necessity of transferring your precious data, although sometimes you might be lucky enough to be able to install your old hard disk with your data right into a spare bay in your new computer.

If the brutal and glum decision has been made that the old machine must be discarded, we are pleased to see that some retailers are now taking care of the proper disposal for you.  If not, then you can have a look at the City of Ottawa website, www.ottawa.ca and go to Recycling & Garbage >>> Take it Back! to find the closest free disposal site.  This will ensure that all of the dangerous or precious materials are dealt with properly.