How to Donate a Used Computer
Upon the purchase of a new computer, you might struggle with the fate of your old one. It's still usable, so you don't want to just throw it away. But you also don't want it collecting dust in your office when you know you won't be using it. Your best bet is to donate it to a non-profit organization. Learn the proper steps to take to donate a used computer.
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Instructions
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You must remove all of your information before the donation. There are several free programs designed to wipe a hard drive clean, such as the Active @ Kill Disk Hard Drive Eraser (See Resources for link). It is highly recommended to use a program like this so that none of your information can be recovered by the next user.
Examine the condition of the computer to determine if it can be reused at all. If it is less than 5 years old and has no major operating issues, send it to a refurbisher to fix minor problems and then donate it. -
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Decide where you want to donate. If you don't already have a non-profit organization in mind, you can find a list of options on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website. One company they have listed is Earth 911. Earth 911 has a database that allows you to search for places in your area that take used computers as donations. Another possibility is Computers With Causes, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for different groups of people through computer donations. See Resources for links to these sites.
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Locate all computer components. Non-profit organizations often don't have the money to purchase licenses for operating systems. Therefore it is important to make sure that the operating system is intact on your computer. If you still have the disk, please provide it in case it needs to be re-installed. You should also include the computer's hardware accessories such as the keyboard, mouse, and printer. Organizations always have a need for these items. Also include all software that came with the computer and, if you still have them, the user manuals.
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Keep a list of all donations for tax benefits. It is important to keep up with what you donate so that it can be used as a tax write-off. Some organizations such as Computers With Causes will provide you with a tax deductible receipt.
You will be allowed to deduct the current market value of the computer. You can determine the current value of your computer by using an online calculator. A free calculator is offered by Gadget Calculator. Simply input the information about your computer system and its condition and you will automatically be given a price range of its worth.
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