Yesterdays computer pickup (with pics)

I got a call from a gentleman saying he was doing a cleanout of a home and the previous occupant was a computer repairman. He estimated about 10 towers with some parts. After about 2 hours of digging through piles of god knows what, this is what I ended up with. I think the final count was around 30 towers, complete and a few partials. We settled on a crisp $100.00 bill for all. Most of the stuff is older technology. Alot of IBM, a few "suitcase" towers as I call them. I opened one up and saw a i486 CPU and board in one of them. As for the parts, I filled up a big box with ram, video cards, hard drives etc and another plastic tote with cables and wires. A couple good finds were i486 and 386 boards with cpu's intact. Unfortunatley, I had to leave some less complete stuff behind as I filled my trailer and the fact we had my wifes Explorer and not my truck (save fuel). I would not put anything except the box of parts inside the truck due to the condition of the house ( I supplied the box). The gentlman allowed me to take whatever parts from the partial towers I could not fit, so I grabbed whatever CPU's and ram that I could. He agreed to put aside anything else he finds during the actual cleanout and call me to pick them up.

that's a good haul but, if I had to dig around for 2 hours I wouldn't have paid for it. But that's just me.

cool beans! pick me up some of that firewood next time you're over there What's a "suitcase" tower? Are you referring to the ones that sit flat instead of tall? Those are actually "desktop" models, designed for small spaces where they'd sit right on the desk, and the monitor sat right on top of it ; )

Originally Posted by Bear

cool beans! pick me up some of that firewood next time you're over there What's a "suitcase" tower? Are you referring to the ones that sit flat instead of tall? Those are actually "desktop" models, designed for small spaces where they'd sit right on the desk, and the monitor sat right on top of it ; )

Ill take a pic of one Bear for you. I call it a "suitcase" cause it had a nifty handle on it to make carrying its big a** alot easier for me, lol! Ill keep you in mind for the fire wood! Notice the empty gas pump lines?

Originally Posted by gabrielservices

that's a good haul but, if I had to dig around for 2 hours I wouldn't have paid for it. But that's just me.

Yeah, but unfortunately people around here, scrappers are even paying for scrap metal, let alone towers. Trust me, I have had little luck with the whole "free removal" thing as far as computers go. Though way I see it, I paid less than 4 per tower (complete), enjoyed the ride and meeting a pretty interesting fella. Plus I made a new contact for future computer scrap. Just my 02.

I don't get many computers. There's a place here called computer corps that gets most of the computers. So while it might be worth it to you guys its not worth it to me all I see is steel weight, wire and some alum.

Originally Posted by gabrielservices

I don't get many computers. There's a place here called computer corps that gets most of the computers. So while it might be worth it to you guys its not worth it to me all I see is steel weight, wire and some alum.

Hek, gabriel, the steel weight is the least of it. If you have 20 pounds @ .10, that's $2. Take the boards, ram, and cpu, and the boards alone at around 3 pounds X $4 = $12, plus you still have the ram and cpu to go

yea, see I don't know enough about computers. My wife is the computer geek. I haul stuff from thrift stores mostly. Its enough to keep me busy.

Originally Posted by gabrielservices

yea, see I don't know enough about computers. My wife is the computer geek. I haul stuff from thrift stores mostly. Its enough to keep me busy.

you should definitely check into the buyers threads from the main page here, and start collecting computer boards

Originally Posted by gabrielservices

its not worth it to me all I see is steel weight, wire and some alum.

Thats how I use to be with computers. After learning more about them (Thank you SMF!!!!) they are one of the best things you can get. I love to break down hard drives now.

Thirsty, What year is that hyundai tower from? I found a hyundai monitor earlyer this week and it was from 1991. I never heard of that brand of cpus before

Nice old load, you don't get older stuff like this very often any more. I had two similar loads this summer, lots of 286, 386, 486 towers, etc. You will do well.

I dont like to see open cases when i am looking at scrap computers, its a good sign they been pillaged. I would check every computer in the lot if i see open cases. Most of the time they remove the ram and cpu and leave the rest. I am at shred price if the cpu and ram are gone.

Thanks for all the suggestions and compliments!
Bear, here is a pic of what I called a "suitcase". Its a big ole' IBM. There is two of them in there I think.


I have no idea what this is: