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UTUSN

(75,612 posts)
Mon Sep 8, 2025, 11:03 PM Monday

Guide me to divest of replaced laptop - give away, sell (cheap), what?

So the old one is 8 GB (new one 16), basically working fine for my low tech needs (email, pics, docs, DU), but what led to the replacement was a recurring popup "storage low free up space" and even now that I cleaned out my personal files that popup still pops. My uninformed point being, will it be usable for somebody and should the price be half off/all off?

It's an HP, Windows 11. Also, HP sold and did a "mover" to send most of my stuff to the new one and the Eraser to wipe whatever. But I put the pics and documents on a thumbdrive, deleted them from the laptop, and tech support for the Eraser said it was better just to do a factory reset instead of doing an Erase, fine. But when the reset got to 62% it tapped out and said "no changes made" and went bye-bye. So it's fairly clear of my stuff? The basic question being, is it usable for whomever whether gifted or sold?




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Lithos

(26,572 posts)
1. Fine for someone
Mon Sep 8, 2025, 11:18 PM
Monday

TBH, I would still do a hardware check, and if it passes fine, then do a complete wipe and reformat. Should give the space back.

If the hard drive is having issues and is not soldered in, getting a cheap SSD replacement should be feasible. This would breathe a few more years into the system. (More if you can add more RAM.)

Personally, if I had an extra laptop, I probably would reformat it with Linux and just have it around as a backup.

L-

UTUSN

(75,612 posts)
3. Thanks, above my pay grade, won't have it as an extra or tinkering, but *SINCERE* thanks.
Tue Sep 9, 2025, 12:06 AM
Tuesday

usonian

(20,329 posts)
2. Install linux and it will run like a champ.
Mon Sep 8, 2025, 11:42 PM
Monday

I put Linux Mint "cinnamon" on some old systems before I gave them away.

I have an ancient compaq laptop with a large screen that took to Knoppix beautifully. Knoppix hasn't been updated in a while. I keep trying to contact Klaus Knopper.

The installation should ask about partitioning/wiping the hard disk. Many distros can be tried using an optical or thumb drive.
Not sure if TAILS, the security distro will work.

It would be great to have.

https://tails.net/

Requirements.
https://tails.net/doc/about/requirements/index.en.html


Give it to an activist. TAILS is great.

UTUSN

(75,612 posts)
4. *REALLY* sincere thanks to all you High-Techs. Am just getting rid by whatever means free or cheap
Tue Sep 9, 2025, 12:10 AM
Tuesday

once I'm confident my personal stuff is cleared and want it to be usable for whoever takes it over.





usonian

(20,329 posts)
5. I didn't have windows license codes.
Tue Sep 9, 2025, 12:28 AM
Tuesday

So I gave away working systems with linux.

Lots of great math and science packages are included or easy easy to install with one click.

Graphics and kid stuff ( gcompris is awesome)

JoseBalow

(8,356 posts)
9. It's as easy as can be...
Tue Sep 9, 2025, 01:39 AM
Tuesday

Just list it for free, describing it as best as you can, and you can decide how to hand it off. You can meet at some public place if you want, or just leave it in a box at your front door for pick-up. I would say something like:

FREE LAPTOP

Working Windows 11 HP model whatever laptop, I got a new one and am giving this one away for free. Reply for pick up address.
When you write them back with the address, tell them you may not be home, but will leave it on the porch or wherever in a box, and to come get it.

Piece of cake!
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