April 10, 2009, 2:10 PM — Here's an interesting step-by-step from Instructables on how to use your old computer ... Just in time for Earth day!
Step 1 Before you crack it open... Install Linux, Ubuntu, Puppy Linux, Damn Small Linux!
Step 2 The CD drive
If none of those last options worked for you, it's time to crack it open. Let's start with the simple components and work our way up. So the first component is the CD drive.
Step 3 Floppy drive
The humble floppy drive. Gone and almost forgotten. They are handy in even the latest computers for flashing BIOS's and other tasks. There are hundreds of uses for floppy disks, all you have to do is search Instructables for "floppy disk" but there aren't so many for the drive itself. If you have a MacIntosh floppy drive, you're in luck. There are some uses for them.
Step 4 Hard drive
Believe it or not, you can do a lot with an old hard drive. If you've done your best to fix it, try some of these ideas.
Photo by WonderMike
Step 5 Power supply
There aren't as many uses for the power supply but here are a few to check out.
Step 6 Motherboard, CPU and RAM
Since there aren't many uses for these parts, they're all in one step.
Step 7 Other parts
Well not much left now except a few fans, the power switch and LEDs, a few PCI cards and some cables.
Step 8 The case
All that you're left with is the case and the dust bunnies. There's not really much to do with the case except make it look cool by adding a few LEDs, and grilling something tasty.
