Read This Before You Discard Your Old Computer

For many businesses, the start of a new year means new computers for employees. However, before you pack away your old PCs, you should consider options for extending the lives of your old PCs and improving their performance.

If speed is what you need, you may upgrade the computers’ memory by simply adding more RAM. This option is best if you have less than 128MB of RAM. Another option is to re-install Windows and other applications that change over time and ultimately slow down performance. After you reinstall the operating system, remember to download current patches from Microsoft’s Windows Update Web site.

Old PC’s with Pentium II and above processors are still fine for Internet browsing, emailing and running basic office applications. For individuals with simple computing needs, older PC’s can be cleaned up, paired with a new monitor and resurrected as a “like new” computer.

Follow these helpful tips when new PC’s are necessary and upgrading is not a viable option.

1. Donate old equipment. Charities, community groups and schools are always in need of computers.
   Visit http://www.microweb.com/pepsite/Recycle/Florida.html for a list of organizations in Florida that facilitate computer donations. Be sure to call the organization to identify any specific donation requirements that they may have. Remember, a donation has tax advantages, so get a receipt that includes the date of the donation, the make and model of your PCs and any related equipment.

2. Clean the data off of the hard drives. Remove all files from the computers by using secure erase programs such as Norton SystemWorks 2002. Be sure to re-install the operating system to avoid new licensing fees.

3. Reuse parts of the PC. No PC is completely worthless. You can install old hard drives in new machines to ease the transfer of old files or serve as backups to your new PCs. You may also wish to keep your old modems to use as backup units in case your DSL or high-speed Internet connection fails.

4. Recycle it. Before you trash your PCs, consider that its components are made of materials that could cause significant environment damage. Contact Hewlett-Packard or IBM to find an electronics recycler near you.

 Abby Kennedy, account manager, leads our newly established Government & 
Education Division, which helps the public sector meet today’s unique IT challenges.  Previously, Abby was a sales account manager with IKON Office Solutions’ Government & Education group, where she was named the top district-sales representative for six consecutive years and was among the top-three IKON sales representatives nationwide for the last two years.  Abby earned a bachelor’s degree from Stetson University.  






Jerol Ayasun, technology solution specialist with our Government & Education Division, comes to us from IKON Office Solutions’ Government & Education team, where he was an inside sales account representative. Jerol earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from ITT-Tampa and holds numerous technical and sales certifications.





Dev Persad, senior systems engineer, was previously a senior network engineer with IKON Office Solutions, where he managed the installation and deployment of IT solutions for South Florida municipalities. Before this, Dev was director of information technology at Health Coalition Inc. Dev is a Microsoft MCSE, a Novell CNA, a Citrix CCA and has earned Cisco CCNA and CCNP certifications.







Lorenzo Diaz, senior systems engineer, was previously a systems engineer with IKON Office Solutions. Before this, he was a service manager with The Byte Shop. Diaz, who earned an associate’s degree in electronic engineering technology from RETS Technical Training Center, is certified in Microsoft, Novell and Citrix with a MCSE, CNE 3.X-6.X and CCA certifications.





Luis Santiago, senior account manager, works with enterprise customers in the  Southeast. Prior to joining Compuquip, Luis was a general sales manager with Pomeroy Computer Systems, where he doubled the sales of the company’s South Florida office over a four-year period. Before this, he spent 10 years with Bay Resources, a systems integrator that he helped grow into a $13 million business.

For almost four decades, Associated Machine Corp. has provided the medical, aerospace, defense and other business markets with precision machining and manufacturing of custom-designed components from metals and plastics. Although the company used the most advanced technologies to keep its machinery running and operating efficiently, its office management systems were falling behind the times.

Jesse Jones, president of Associated Machines, called on Compuquip to perform a comprehensive assessment of the company’s systems. He sought recommendations for systems and solutions to help the company streamline its back-office operations while ensuring the highest levels of security and flexibility.

Compuquip’s engineers conducted a total system integration that entailed rewiring Associated Machine’s entire building and migrating the back-office operations to a desktop environment. Because Associated Machines relies on electronic communications with its customers’ engineering databases, Compuquip established a virtual private network (VPN), installed anti-virus software and installed a firewall on the company’s servers. Compuquip also worked with Associated Machines’ customers to ensure secure access on a reciprocal basis.

“From the first step of the assessment stage to post-installation support, Compuquip’s team has demonstrated its expertise and proven its responsiveness to our dynamic needs,” Jones said. “In our fast-paced business environment, there’s no time for mistakes. Compuquip took control of every aspect of this project and worked within our constraints to make it a success.”