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A man sits at a desk with an open PC tower case, pondering its components both in and outside the case. A man sits at a desk with an open PC tower case, pondering its components both in and outside the case.

Revive an old computer

Jan 2024
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Often, people abandon failing computers that could otherwise be revived with a little extra investment in replaceable parts. Old computers, especially when given strategic upgrades, can be effective for low-intensity activities such as web browsing, word processing, presentations, email, etc. A backup machine can also be handy if your primary computer fails. Refurbished or revived computers may also be highly beneficial for families with older or younger members who need a system for email or schoolwork.

Assessing your old computer

A good place to start when reviving an older computer is simply to clean it up. A build-up of dust and grime can impede the smooth operation of internal components, such as fans or heatsinks. If you decide to clean your system, you should first turn it off and unplug it. Clean the case, external components and peripherals with a microfibre cloth, using 70% isopropyl alcohol to 30% distilled water in a spray bottle.

Start cleaning your old keyboard by turning it upside down and shaking out any debris that has accumulated, before proceeding with the alcohol spray. Avoid using a normal cleaning cloth on any exposed components or anything that might be near one, no matter how dusty, as static can cause irreparable damage to electronic components. Also, if a fibre from the cloth were to snag a component, it could tear it off, rendering the system unusable. Use compressed air to clean the interior of your computer’s case, especially PC or laptop fans. Make sure to keep the can upright while cleaning so that you don’t blast the system with refrigerant liquid. While this liquid might not ruin the system, you’ll want to wait for any liquid that came out to evaporate from the system components. Even newly installed components can struggle to perform at their best when their fans are clogged and failing to keep them cool. After you’ve thoroughly cleaned your system and let any errant liquid spray evaporate, you can plug it back in and attempt to power on. You should also boot it and test that all the existing components are still in working order: fans, memory, storage, motherboard and peripherals such as speakers, USB ports, optical drives etc.

How to upgrade your computer

A man with his hands in an open PC tower case, cables spilling out over its side.

Moving parts in any computer are prone to failure. Fans and hard disk drives (HDDs) are often the first to fail. Batteries (such as in laptops) are another hazard, as they can chemically or physically break down with age.

Replacing an entire motherboard can be prohibitively complex and pricey, akin to buying a whole new PC, as it will probably need all new components. Processors typically aren’t the bottlenecks for basic computing needs and, depending on the age of your PC, it may also not be practical to change the processor for a more contemporary one, as motherboard chipsets are only compatible with certain CPU generations, which may no longer be available. However, RAM is an easy, relatively inexpensive and proven upgrade that will boost an old PC or laptop’s performance. Legacy RAM technology tends to remain available for longer than components like processors.

Reformatting or replacing storage

As hard drives are often the first component to fail in older computers, the inclination to replace your system’s HDD with an SSD can be a smart option for those seeking to improve an old computer’s performance. However, if you have essential files you would like to preserve, back them up and/or migrate them over to a USB drive or external drive before you reformat or replace the storage.

If you choose not to upgrade or expand your computer’s storage options, it’s a good idea to free up around 20GB of storage space to facilitate the smooth running of the system. You should also get rid of unwanted apps that might appear during startup but are unnecessary for general system use. These startup apps can significantly slow down your machine, especially if it is old and lacking capable hardware. Any apps that are never or infrequently used can be safely deleted from the system. It is always a good idea to empty the Recycle Bin when you’ve finished deleting unwanted files.

Operating systems for revived computers

A finger presses a tablet’s touchscreen icon for Microsoft Edge. The tablet runs a version of Windows.

For security and efficiency, it is wise to update your old computer’s operating system as a stage in its revival. Download patches for Windows and macOS from the Microsoft and Apple websites. macOS upgrades are free, while updating to Windows 10 or 11 from 8 usually costs $139. However, the OS can still be used without paying, it will just have fewer features available.

Systems already running Windows 10 are easy to contemporise, so long as there are no major hardware problems. The best way to update a mothballed computer is to reinstall Windows entirely, which will mean the new installation will be entirely up to date with security and application updates. Microsoft has a guide on how to do this on its website. If you opt not to reinstall your OS, you will need to update your drivers. There is driver update software that can automatically scan and update your drivers, which may run into fewer problems than manual attempts to bridge the gap.

Microsoft has a PC Health Check app that can identify if your revived PC is able to run Windows 11. Computers sold after 2017 should have the necessary hardware. Other computers might still have Windows 8 or even 7, both of which are no longer supported by Microsoft and therefore not secure against the malware that newer versions of Windows are protected against.

Mac users can easily reinstall macOS by holding Command + R during bootup to enter recovery mode. Here, the newest version of macOS compatible with your Mac will install, including security patches.

If the computer is for a student, installing ChromeOS might be a good option. Chromebooks are commonly used in schools and the ChromeOS Flex has advantages over Windows and macOS for older computers. It’s more intuitive for students who are primarily Chromebook users.

Using revived computers for intensive activities

Even with these upgrades a system might struggle with high-intensity tasks, such as video and image editing, gaming and CAD design. However, upgrading your RAM can make gaming a lot more viable. Be wary of trying to play some of the newest games, though, as they might require the latest processors and graphics cards to run smoothly.

Upgrading to 16GB, 32GB or even 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD can give your machine a new lease of life. The majority of activities an older computer may be called upon to do: internet browsing, email, watching videos, office or school productivity, all are easily achievable with these two upgrades and an up-to-date OS. How many computers do you and your family have in your homes that you could put back into regular usage with this small investment of time and money?

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