This just makes me really SICK

From: William Donzelli <aw288_at_osfn.org>
Date: Mon Jan 19 15:42:54 2004

> The point is that a lot old computer equipment is routinely scrapped for gold,
> as the only salvage value a lot of computers had was in the gold they carried.

Mostly, yes, but many contain enough aluminum and copper to make it
wothwhile. Now that steel is up again, the frames are not so much of a
liability.

(and replying to someones post before this, probably TZ's)

> > To a non collector an old mini or mainframe is nothing but a large piece of
> > obsolete equipment only worth its scarp value (steel, aluminum,copper, and
> > gold). The easiest thing to do is have it hauled away for scrap after you
> > rip out any major chips that look like they might have gold in them (cpu's
> > mostly).

Keep in mind that there is often much more than meets the eye. Sure, many
microprocessors have gold - you can see it, plain as day. Many other
chips that appear quite boring also contain gold - probably 1/2 to 1/3 of
the ceramic types do (break a few open - you will see). Even plain old
plastic DIP TTL contains gold in a good percentage of chips. Crystals
also have gold, and there is often a large amount in metal can transistors.

Most scrappers I know don't realize the old machines are more valuable
intact (by many times, as pointed out). If you want to save the machines,
explain this to them - WITH MONEY IN HAND. Don't try to be a cheapskate -
these guys are pretty damn street smart when it comes to eyeing someone
over for honesty. Screw them, and you have just condemned a few PDP-8s to
death, but treat them, and those PDP-8s will be yours.

William Donzelli
aw288_at_osfn.org
Received on Mon Jan 19 2004 - 15:42:54 GMT