Buy cheap computer

Top Tip: Where can I buy a really old computer online?

Tips used for Top Tips come from the ExtremeTech forum and are written by our community.

Question from pcwindowsuser "I know a lot of the terms in computer technology but it's the hands-on I'm concerned about. At college, I'm learning a lot and getting better. I can put a video card in, do the master slave settings, and even reset the cmos. What I need more practice on is troubleshooting. Really what I've been looking for, for a long time is an old, used computer that I can sort of mess around with, take apart, put back together and "experiment" with. Where I live, their all new PC's.

I don't want them to be top of the line P4's. I've got my mind set at $100-200 maybe. If their Pentium 133MHZ or 200MHZ that would be fine. If they can run Windows 9.x, that would also be good. They don't have to have an OS already on them, I have an OEM Windows ME install cd that I can load on it. For the motherboard I think it would be best for it to be DIMM's, not SIMM's, since SIMM's are 30 pins and DIMM's are 172 pins.

If anybody knows any online place that sells computers, at least the motherboard or anything for a cheap price, and are older used computers, not DOS age or anything that old, let me know. My uncle has about 15 computers in his basement but he's not willing to give them up."

Answer from MrBaggins "Take a look at these two sites...and of course, there is always e-Bay! http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com/

http://www.pcliquidators.com/ "

Answer from b1reyna "Keep your eye out for "auctions" and they don't necessary have to computer related ones either. I don't know of too many businesses that belly-up that didn't have a computer somewhere. Plus, you should really be ready for when your college gets rid of excess equipment. most do it at least once a yr. if not twice. and keep any paperwork. Don't forget govt. auctions as well, web search for local or near-by auctions, state, federal and/or city."

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