Most of us have an old laptop somewhere. While it's always a good idea to recycle your old electronics, before you do, you might want to spend some time stripping them for parts. Whether you're looking for a DIY project or want to earn a little extra cash, there could be some useful pieces inside. Find out what parts you can salvage from your old laptop.
ContentsCD/DVD/BluRay driveHard drivePower supplyRAM modulesLCD screenRecycle anything you don't useMany modern laptops don't come with an optical drive capable of playing CDs, DVDs, or BluRays. The rejection of optical disc drives stems from two reasons:First, many consumers simply don't use them anymore. Second, removing the optical drive allows manufacturers to make machines smaller and thinner. If you regularly use optical discs, this can be problematic. Even if you don't use optical discs often, the rare occasions when you need them can cause panic.
With the hard drive removed and in an external enclosure, connect it to your new machine. If you're using a Windows PC, you can perform a quick format by finding the drive in a File Explorer window and right-clicking on the drive. From the context menu, select “Format…” and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can also use the Disk Management tool.
If you're using a Mac, you'll want to use the Disk Utility app, which can be found by searching for "disk utility" with Spotlight. After a few reformats, you'll have an inexpensive external hard drive that can store any aspect of your digital life.
Laptop power supplies can be expensive. Unfortunately, many connector ferrules are manufacturer or model specific. However, if you have multiple machines from the same manufacturer, you may be able to use it on a newer device. For example, Apple MagSafe adapters can be used with any machine that uses the MagSafe charger. Be aware, however, that some chargers produce power at different rates, so charging times may vary, even if the charger fits a different device.
Alternatively, you can try selling it. If you can't use your old charger on a newer device, you can always try to make some money by returning it to a site like eBay or an app like Letgo. Chargers are often subject to a lot of abuse and can often be damaged. As such, there might be someone looking for your charger.
Like your laptop's hard drive and optical drive, it's often very easy to remove RAM modules from your laptop. Again, this helps ensure that the end user can upgrade their system by adding more RAM. That being said, some devices solder their RAM modules to the motherboard. If this is the case with your laptop, you won't be able to remove the RAM. Make sure you can clear your RAM by looking up your old laptop's specs.
With the RAM removed, the most obvious use is to use them in another machine. Be aware, however, that different types of RAM may not be suitable for every machine. If you are tinkering with Arduino projects, you can use the old RAM to increase storage space. Additionally, you can create a RAM disk to increase the performance of your current machine. If you can't use the RAM sticks in another device, you can get creative with them. You can create key chains, Christmas decorations and even earrings.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can remove the LCD screen (provided it's not damaged) and create a standalone monitor. It's certainly not for the faint-hearted, but monitors can be expensive, and if you've got a perfectly good LCD in a useless old laptop, why not take a chance?
To start, you should look online and see if there are any instructions on how to remove your laptop's LCD panel. If not, remove the battery and try to locate the screws holding the LCD screen in the laptop case. Be aware that you may need to remove the plastic screen casing in order to locate the screws holding it in place.
Once you've removed the screen, look on the back of the panel and find a model number. Next you will need to find something called a controller card. This will allow you to power the panel and provide the necessary inputs to create an external monitor. Search eBay for a controller board that matches the model number of your LCD screen.
E-waste is a huge global problem. Remember to properly recycle anything you cannot use. Many retailers such as Staples and Best Buy have e-waste recycling programs where you can drop off your unwanted gadgets. The best part is that these programs are free and you can even drop off tech gadgets that you didn't buy there.
Have you ever salvaged an old laptop for parts? Are there any other useful parts we forgot to mention? Let us know in the comments!
