For years, I’ve been wondering what to do with two old computers in my possession, a 10-year-old Compaq laptop and an even older Gateway desktop computer. They’ve done little more than gather dust in recent years, so I’ve been tempted to throw them away or send them to Orange County computer recycling. But the old computer hard drives on both machines hold sensitive financial information, and I’m worried it will fall into the wrong hands.

The desktop contains brokerage and bank financial statements, some with active account numbers. I’ve also used the laptop to store retirement account information and personal medical records. Despite the promises some recycling companies make about wiping the hard drives clean, I just don’t think I’m willing to take the chance. I’d rather take the central processing units apart by hand and smash away at the hard drives with a hammer, but that’s a lot of work, not to mention wasteful.

After some searching online for recommendations on what to do with these machines, I realized I didn’t have to destroy them or recycle them; I could just as easily make them new again. Several companies offer old computer parts that can bring both of these computers up to speed and extend their life another few years.

Companies, such as TSSGrp.com, have made a business out of locating parts for all brands and types of computers, parts I thought were obsolete or discontinued. I’m not so sure replacement parts and added storage will speed up these two dinosaurs piled in a heap on my office floor, but I’ll be finding out shortly.