Goodwill Computers

[RickDIII]

Not sure how common these are in the larger cities, but just found out we have one here.  Most people are familiar with the Goodwill stores that collect donations, but they also have Goodwill Computers.  These places take all the old pc's, game systems, etc. 

I scored a 21" trinitron flat screen crt for use in my mame box for $45.  Works great.  The complete pc's seemed a little pricey (ie. $170 for a 1.5mhtz).  They also had a pile of old game systems, controllers, etc.  For example a PS1 or Nintendo 64 went for <$10.00.  They had stacks of HDs, network cards, ram, etc. 

Just thought I'd mention it as many of us try to be frugal - or even downright cheap!

Thanks,
Rick

[cbmeeks]

I thought about that myself.  I usually only see 17" monitors though and I have some of those.

I wonder how big of a monitor (CRT) I could put into a Twin Eagle cab?

[RickDIII]

I thought about that myself.  I usually only see 17" monitors though and I have some of those.

They had 5 21" monitors today only one of which was the nice trinitron.  All the others were priced at $39.99, but the trinitron was $44.99 more...I know, I shouldn't splurge like that...but what can you do...

 

[hnugz]

interesting, never heard of this.  i know there are plenty of goodwill places aroun dallas but havent seen a goodwill computer one.  ill have to look into it.

[lokki]

In austin we have one called computerworks. They even have a museum of old computers.

https://www.austincomputerworks.org/museum/index.html

[Crowquill]

In Cincinnati, we don't have any "thrift stores" specific to computer parts, but there are a couple of normal Goodwills, Salvation Army, and St Vincent's  that do get some. Usually it's the larger, more warehouse-looking ones.

I bought the 21" Trinitron that's in my cab from one. I've also picked up a 19" for $25. The worst part is dealing with the people that work there. While I can understand that they want to get as much as they can out of this stuff, no-one there has any clue what any of it is or does. Sometimes it works in my favor, sometimes it doesn't. It's not uncommon to see an old 386 with a 5-1/4" floppy marked $50. The 21" was marked $25, but was being sold as a pair with a 667mHz celeron HP system which was marked $75. I couldn't convince them to sell the monitor seperately (even though it was originally sitting on a different shelf). Luckily it was half-price day for electronics, so for $50 I got both. Even though I had to buy them together as a complete computer system, I was told it would be $5 more to get a keyboard and mouse with it.

It's extremely hit or miss. It's common to find decent speakers, numerous gamepads, and these days there have been a lot of steering wheels and flight yokes (picked up a Sidewinder Force Feedback wheel for $8). I've been seeing nicer monitors in the last year or so as I'm guessing people are jumping to flat-panels.

I'm still paranoid when buying monitors. Out of all computer equipment, they have the most problems that can't be fixed. Trying to test one out at the store can be difficult many times too. On the bright side, if it doesn't work out at least the money's going to charity.

[Masterful Gaze]

Testing the monitor is hard sometimes, but they usually have some old power cables floating around in a box. At least that way you can see if it powers up before you buy it.

[RickDIII]

That was the good part about having a dedicated store.  The employees were all hardware savvy and the systems and monitors were all up and running.  All cards, ram, etc was either labeled as tested or not-tested.

Really is a good setup...
 

[Casting4Christ]

We have a computer goodwill here in San Antonio.  great place for case fans, monitors, and such.  andthen tend to have great sales pick up a 17 inch monitor for $15 and 15 inch for $12. Also found some guncon2 guns for $2 for the pair.

[arcadegamenut]

Whenever I've looked for stuff at the Goodwill's in Columbus, I don't find anything.

You have to be lucky around here and catch it just as they are putting it out on the shelf.

[Casting4Christ]

Whenever I've looked for stuff at the Goodwill's in Columbus, I don't find anything.

You have to be lucky around here and catch it just as they are putting it out on the shelf.

I think the places we are talkingabout aren't the actual Goodwills.  Goodwill has a seperate store just for computer stuff. I belive it call Goodwill Computer Works

[gonzobrian]

Hey RickDIII thanks for the heads up.  I just received two 128mb sticks of RAM for $1 each from the Austin TX  Goodwillcomputerworks.  They sell on ebay.  Total cost $4.  Now thats a deal.

[Crowquill]

We don't have any of the fancy Goodwill computer stores around here. Everything I've bought was at a "normal" thrift store. The small strip-mall stores rarely have much. It's ALWAYS hit-or-miss, but the odds are better at the larger warehouse-like stores. Many times they'll even have a section of computer stuff (near the other electronics and TVs).

---A FEW TIPS---

Be prepared to do some searching though, as pieces are rarely together, and a lot of equipment uses proprietary cables and power supplies. A lot of times extra power supplies end up in the "housewares" area and near the giant stacks of cordless phones and answering machines. Also with power supplies, compare output voltages and you might find an adapter that would work even if you can't find the original.

A $5 laser-printer isn't as great when you find out it uses an $85 toner cartridge.

If you can find a computer that won't power on or doesn't have an OS, I usually mention that and get a discount. It's usually an easy fix or it becomes a "box of parts". About a year ago I bought an original iMac for $40 that just needed a system re-installed on it.

Newer-looking cases usually go for more even if they were made in 1995.

I also have Mac OS 6-9 and Windows 95-ME on CD that I've picked up as loose discs at thrift stores. Software many times is in the same place as the Music CDs. Sometimes you can find some decent PC games too.

These days with the internet, you can download the driver to most anything you find, unless the company has gone out of business.

Test any monitor and try to test it for a few minutes so that it can warm up.

Sometimes computers are worth it just for parts.

If they'll let you open up the computers all the better. They probably won't though.

Be wary that you may end up like I did with a garage full of equipment waiting for a use.



Just yesterday I bought one of these from a Salvation Army:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50046403&pfp=BROWSE

The one I picked up is the iTView Gold (iMac blue version) and was missing the software disc. I'm thinking I can use the SCART out to connect to an arcade monitor. It was $9.99 new in the box.

[Crowquill]

I forgot to mention that once I saw an upright arcade game at St. Vincent's. It was "spot". Unfortunately it was sold when I found it. The only thing that kept me from being upset about it was the ugly green cabinet.

http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=9736

I also remember reading somewhere that someone bought a non-working cabinet that had (I think) 1942 in it.

You never know what you'll find. I guess that's to be expected when you're dealing with the charity of others. Or companies looking for a tax write-off.