Best Way to Dispose/Recycle Imac G5

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LVD1971 Author

Level 1

4 points

Best Way to Dispose/Recycle Imac G5

My IMac G5 purchased in 2004 recently became a victim of the faulty capacitors which were apparently notorious on this model (wish I would have known this earlier).

Anyway I already purchased a brand new IMac and successfully restored and migrated from an external back up disk, but I don't know what to do with my old IMac G5.

Since the logic board is toast, I can't power up and deauthorize iTunes, and can't wipe the hard drive.

Should I just physically remove the hard drive for security?

Any recommendations?

IMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jan 13, 2010 1:28 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 13, 2010 1:32 PM in response to LVD1971

If you just purchased the new Mac, you may be able to use Apple's recycling program

http://www.apple.com/recycling/computer/

If there is no way to securely erase the hard drive, then it may be a good idea to remove it.

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Answer 2

Jan 13, 2010 3:12 PM in response to LVD1971

LVD1971:

The capacitor problem with the initial iMacs is very old news.

It's too late now but the capacitors on the original iMac can be replaced. There are a number of sights that explain how to do it if you want to keep it.

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Answer 3

Jan 13, 2010 3:46 PM in response to LVD1971

There are a few faulty iMac's on eBay, people still buy them for things like the screens or if there case is damaged or they have another iMac with a different problem so they can make one good iMac from both of them, you'll probably be able to get some money back for it as spares.

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Answer 4

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Jan 13, 2010 4:03 PM in response to LVD1971

Hey LVD and Welcome to Apple Discussions,
I repair these and donate them into the inner city here in Chicago.
A local TV personality did a piece on me a few years ago.
http://www.vimeo.com/clip:150591
Here's the URL to the TV station site:
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=5097319
If you're close to Chicago or we can ship it reasonably (usually Fed EX Ground) email me. (click on "spudnuty")
I can also supply a non profit 501(C)3 letter of donation which would allow you to take the current retail price off you income tax.
Richard

Message was edited by: spudnuty

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Answer 5

MGW

Level 7

27,047 points

Jan 13, 2010 1:32 PM in response to LVD1971

I would remove the hard drive and put it in an enclosure, you can still use it as a backup or a scratch disk.

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