Question Old Laptops -- What to do with them?

[SeekeroftheUnknown]

I have 3 laptops from 2009, 2012, and 2015. I haven't used them since 2012, 2015, and 2021. I went on to using my newest from 2022 and several tablets. All of the older laptops were still functioning quite well when I retired them to a shelf. I'd like to check them out to find lots of old files and old freeware. I'm a bit concerned if it's possibly unsafe to turn them on due to perhaps a malfunctioning old battery. Should I take them to some reliable local repair service instead and let them check them out?

 

[USAFRet]

I have 3 laptops from 2009, 2012, and 2015. I haven't used them since 2012, 2015, and 2021. I went on to using my newest from 2022 and several tablets. All of the older laptops were still functioning quite well when I retired them to a shelf. I'd like to check them out to find lots of old files and old freeware. I'm a bit concerned if it's possibly unsafe to turn them on due to perhaps a malfunctioning old battery. Should I take them to some reliable local repair service instead and let them check them out?

If the 2009 and 2012 are Toshibas, see this:
https://www.tomshardware.com/laptop...-laptop-ac-adapters-recalled-over-fire-hazard

 

[punkncat]

I wouldn't be concerned about the battery so much unless you are seeing the signs of swelling.

If they are viable at all you could give them away to people who need a PC for simple access, etc.

I have a tendency to take old hardware out to the range....I have a small trove of old and useless hardware here now for my wife to take out back and beat with a bat real good and bin them.

 

[kanewolf]

I have 3 laptops from 2009, 2012, and 2015. I haven't used them since 2012, 2015, and 2021. I went on to using my newest from 2022 and several tablets. All of the older laptops were still functioning quite well when I retired them to a shelf. I'd like to check them out to find lots of old files and old freeware. I'm a bit concerned if it's possibly unsafe to turn them on due to perhaps a malfunctioning old battery. Should I take them to some reliable local repair service instead and let them check them out?

Remove the storage. Physically damage the storage (I drill holes) send to electronics recycling.

 

[SeekeroftheUnknown]

If the 2009 and 2012 are Toshibas, see this:
https://www.tomshardware.com/laptop...-laptop-ac-adapters-recalled-over-fire-hazard

My first laptop from 2009 is a Toshiba. Oddly enough it was my best. Never had any problems with it. After that I had three I sold just to get rid of them -- those were nothing but trouble with all kinds of malfunctions (particularly HP). After that my Acer I thought the thing was possessed and so did everyone else. It was always doing some truly bizarre stuff endlessly. Currently, I've been trying out that Microsoft Co Pilot and it started doing some crazy stuff, too. It was working real nicely for several weeks, but I'm no longer going to use it. It started speaking in Chinese, kept denying it was doing it, and then it started with gibberish, numbers, symbols, etc., incorrect information, lots of poetry quotes. At this rate I'll be giving up on both computers and software someday.

 

[SeekeroftheUnknown]

Remove the storage. Physically damage the storage (I drill holes) send to electronics recycling.

Remove the storage? Physical damage the storage? I wanted to retrieve some storage before I get rid of the laptops providing they aren't useable, but I'm afraid to do it myself because of possibly bad batteries after sitting for so long. That's why I thought if I had someone who definitely knows what they're doing I might be able to salvage some files. There really are some files on them that I forgot about that I need. My former real estate agent caused me to lose a lot of my stuff (long story) when I sold some properties among them printed and handwritten copies of manuscripts that I want to publish (I was a publisher for more than 25 years). I remembered that there are copies on those old laptops. It would certainly be easier than having to try rewriting all of it. I don't have the patience I had back then--I'm burnt out.

 

[kanewolf]

Remove the storage? Physical damage the storage? I wanted to retrieve some storage before I get rid of the laptops providing they aren't useable, but I'm afraid to do it myself because of possibly bad batteries after sitting for so long. That's why I thought if I had someone who definitely knows what they're doing I might be able to salvage some files. There really are some files on them that I forgot about that I need. My former real estate agent caused me to lose a lot of my stuff (long story) when I sold some properties among them printed and handwritten copies of manuscripts that I want to publish (I was a publisher for more than 25 years). I remembered that there are copies on those old laptops. It would certainly be easier than having to try rewriting all of it. I don't have the patience I had back then--I'm burnt out.

I am just saying that is what I would do. Ensure that my personal info is safe by destroying the storage, then recycle them.
If you want data off the drives, then remove then and use a USB adapter to copy that data to your current system. THEN destroy them.