How to Sell Your Old PC

In today's economy every dollar counts--so why not sell that not-so-old PC you don't use anymore on Craigslist or eBay? Odds are, a penny-pinching buyer is out there eager to save big by buying your second-hand hardware. After all, anything is better than having your recently retired PC gather dust bunnies in your closet.

To help you sell your old PC, we've put together a list of the four steps you need to take to make sure that your PC is ready for a second life of service. We also answer some of the common questions about selling a used PC, such as how to estimate what it's worth, and what legal issues are involved when selling a PC loaded with expensive software and tons of music and videos (can you charge extra?).

The Four Key Steps

Run a scan: It's critical to scan your old computer for malware, including viruses, spyware, and worms. You don't want to pass along security threats to the next owner. Viruses and spyware can also significantly slow the system down. Getting rid of them is not only playing it safe, it also gives the PC some pep. If you're not already running an antivirus/antispyware app, don't rush out and buy one. PC World has selected eight great security tools that'll do the job for free.

Move your data to your new computer: Naturally, you'll want to transfer all of your files, programs, browser favorites, passwords, and other essentials. For a direct PC-to-PC transfer, an inexpensive Windows utility like Laplink's PCmover is a good option. The $70 shrinkwrap version includes a USB 2.0 cable, or you could save $10 by downloading the app sans cable. If you back up your files to an external hard drive or online service, you could restore them to a new system. And remember that when it comes to backups, personal data--including photos, videos, and music--should be your top backup priority. You can always reinstall applications, but not your kids' pics.

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