Used computer parts and accessories

Hey I was just wondering if any one knew of any good places to get some used computer parts and stuff just to mess with. Like rite now I am looking for a magnetic stripe card Writer/Reader and i really don't wanna play $400.00 for one that I'm only gonna use a few times. so any one know of any good places?

You could try the internet. I hear they've got lots of stuff for sale.

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Originally Posted by CyberB0b

You could try the internet. I hear they've got lots of stuff for sale.

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You're kindof a jerk.

Greetz.

Can we keep the reply's to this thread on-topic and relevant please. :)

Also the OP may like to check out This thread from 2004. Computers and parts for free or nearly free.

most of the ways are still do-able in this day in this day & age. :D

Check craigslist. You might be able to find some cheap stuff, probly in your area.

If there are any big office parks, you might check the dumpsters periodically. ;)

I don't know where you are mate, so this may or may not help.

Here in the NE UK we have an outfit called "ReFit" who basically recover, refurbish and redeploy old local government, schools, health authority and the likes' obsolete gear. You might check if you have something similar, or a body that disposes of such kit.

You should be able to find standard gear and could get lucky with something like a card reader as once those are obsolete they probably don't have much of a second user value.

Retail chains are another possible source, although they probably just dump their stuff on jobbing dealers to sell on e-bay with all your bank and credit card details :lildevil:

westin has my top suggestion - local dumpsters. =)

You would be amazed at the perfectly good hardware salvaged from 'broken' computers. Also, some companies spend a budget each year on upgrades and new computers. Old computers are either disposed over correctly, others are donated and some are just plain thrown out.

Big corporations/government agencies who replace computers ritually dispose of thousands of computers in a lifetime, and usually in bulk amounts at a time. Although they are usually stripped of the HDD for security, but are otherrwise disposed of in bulk.

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Originally Posted by nihil

Hi,

"Dumpster diving" :) I find the expression rather amusing, although MsMittens is absolutely correct in warning that you must check your local ownership laws. Sometimes you might have to go to the disposer first to get permission. They are hardly likely to say "no"?

OK I am a bit older.........oops "more experienced" :D than a lot here, so I go down the local bar/pub and buy a few beers for the refuse disposal guys and their foreman: result, they collect from and deliver to my house (deliveries are put in the porch, in case it rains)

This is IMHO an excellent form of recycling, as it is zero cost to the local taxpayer, and even saves the donor money.

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Hey nihil - After all these years of experience, how did you manage to discover that the solutions to all of lifes problems and unanswered questions are at the local pub? I amuses me to think that each time you (not personally but anybody) encountered a problem, you went to the pub and during the visit, almost like magic, the problem was gone :p rofl - Thus concluding that all of the solutions are at the pub which now is the first point of call for any dilemma *all in good fun bud*

CTO

Hi, sorry if I came off as a jerk. That was just my attempt a humor ;_; Anyways places I am aware of are:

freegeek.org in Portland
ntrweb.org in Philadelphia

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Originally Posted by CybertecOne

Hey nihil - After all these years of experience, how did you manage to discover that the solutions to all of lifes problems and unanswered questions are at the local pub? I amuses me to think that each time you (not personally but anybody) encountered a problem, you went to the pub and during the visit, almost like magic, the problem was gone :p rofl - Thus concluding that all of the solutions are at the pub which now is the first point of call for any dilemma *all in good fun bud*

CTO

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"Ah, beer. The cause of and the solution to all of life's problems..."

-Homer

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:-P

Edit:

Oh, and to make this post slightly on topic, google freecycle. Sometimes you can find some good stuff on there... one man's trash, as it were.

Thanks guys for all your help I'm gonna check out the links you guys posted they seem pretty cool.

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Originally Posted by Riot

Hey I was just wondering if any one knew of any good places to get some used computer parts and stuff just to mess with. Like rite now I am looking for a magnetic stripe card Writer/Reader and i really don't wanna play $400.00 for one that I'm only gonna use a few times. so any one know of any good places?

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just about any major city is going to have computer recyclers where they sell old parts for cheap you can also check major university's a lot of times they sell there older machines in a storefront at the university, university of iowa does that. good luck and if you happen upon some good parts sources online be sure to send me a private message ,i need two older systems one is going to be Linux firewall on my network and want another one for testing software and dos code

Yahoo groups has many groups called Freecycle. They are localized. Stuff is free.

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Originally Posted by fourdc

Yahoo groups has many groups called Freecycle. They are localized. Stuff is free.

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ty i forgot about that too

They have lots of refurbished parts at great prices should come in handy.