Stow Your Gear

Do you have a closet full of unused and unwanted computer equipment? You wish you could use that closet for storing useful items, like the vacuum cleaner or your guests coats, but you haven't figured out what to do with that old computer, its monitor and the tangle of related cords and contraptions that go along with it. It's frustrating and annoying every time you open the door and see it sitting there, in the way.

To solve this problem, you must first determine whether or not there is important or valuable information on this computer that you need to retrieve. If you don't know how to do this yourself, contact a reputable computer technician* for help with this part of the project - it's not a complicated process and they are typically able to walk you through it. Once you have retrieved your important information there is just one step left: take your equipment to the local non-profit community technology center Free Geek and donate it! Your hard drive will either be destroyed beyond repair and properly recycled or the data will be overwritten and unretrievable. For more information about the services Free Geek offers to the community and directons to their facility in SE Portland, visit their website: http://www.freegeek.org/

Recap:
1. Make a decision to deal with the problem
2. Determine whether you need to retrieve information or not (if not, skip to #4)
3. Retrieve information
4. Donate

In just a few steps, you can take care of this problem and create a useful space in your home, while contributing to the greater community!

* Jeff Crocker can help you with your computer-related questions jeff@computerguyonline.com