I did find it difficult to get really good software and information about viruses, spyware, malware and their removal until I found a really good manual that explains it all plus provides the software to do it right. Next step is to check for viruses, spyware and malware. Frequently the problem can be fixed by simply running a chkdsk and defragging the hard drive. I've found that a lot of the computers are fairly new and have been replaced because they've gotten slow, crashed or just don't run right. How I Make Money With All This Electronic Stuff Magnetic signs on the doors of your truck or van help as well.they're cheap and a lot of people read them from end to end. I also place ads in my local free giveaway classified newspapers. I post wanted ads frequently and always get a good response. I also post flyers on any bulletin board I can find and leave a few at each yard sale I visit.So, I stop at all the thrift stores and leave them a flyer and cards so they know who to call when they get too many computers and the like - and they get a lot. They figured, rightly, that they had little chance of selling them and were very happy that I would take them away right then. These were dumped at their back door when they were closed. These early computers have many times the thickness of gold plate on fingers and backplanes compared to newer computers. Recently I stopped at my local thrift store and there were two old 60s vintage IBM workstations and a mini-computer.I've also negotiated relationships with recycling centers in most of the towns and where there are no recycling centers, I've made a deal with a local market to allow folks to drop off their electronic stuff there so I can pickup.

I have a small Nissan pickup that normally does the job and if I luck into more, I have a small 8 foot trailer that I build from a Harbor Freight kit. Since I'm in a rural area, I've setup scheduled pickup days so I don't burn too much gas. People are more than willing to give these things away in most regions of the country because they usually have to transport these things to recycling centers and then PAY to recycle them. Running ads on Craigslist telling folks that I'll pickup used computers, monitors, printers, electronic games, cell phones - anything electronic for free.

But, given the soaring prices of gold, silver, platinum and other non-precious metals, I've recently gotten back into electronics and computer salvage and recycling.

I use a lot of this at my own home and sell some to earn a living. Lately I've been focusing most of my salvage and recycling business on building materials and parts for alternative energy systems.

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