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Many of us have old computers lying around, most discarded for more or less the same reason: “It’s too slow.”

Some people cycle through computers every two years, some even more frequently than that. Others simply suffer year after year with aging machines. And then, when it finally does come time to dispose of your old desktop or laptop, you might not throw it away. It goes against the grain to just throw something that expensive in the trash, especially if it still works. So you might give it to someone else, or, perhaps more likely, you put it in storage or in the basement and forget about it.

But think again before throwing that old PC away. It might just have some life left in it.

A computer doesn’t “slow down” as it gets older. Typically what happens is that junk data and programs accumulate and bog the computer down.

There are many cases where having an extra computer would be handy, especially if it’s just to check your e-mail or browse the internet. That old laptop? Put it in the kitchen to look up recipes, or put it in the garage so you can look up vehicle repair tips. A spare desktop? Put it in the spare bedroom or office.

Point in case: I have a 2004 vintage Dell Inspiron 700m laptop. It’s held up remarkably well over the years, and its small size has made it ideal for travel and around-the-house duties. In particular, the size of its keyboard – compact, but larger than a netbook keyboard – has made it worth keeping around.

What many people may not realize is that it’s possible to start fresh. Wipe the slate clean, as it were, and restore the computer to the same state it was when you bought it: no viruses, no spyware, and no old files clogging things up.

This process – called reformatting – wipes out everything on the computer, so you should be sure to back up any files you may need before you do it. You’ll also need the original operating system CDs. It’s a relatively straightforward process, but many people aren’t even aware that it’s possible.

If you don’t have the original system disks, or you want a more modern operating system, you could consider one of the many free lightweight alternatives that are available. Ubuntu Linux, for example, requires just a fraction of the resources Windows does, is free, and is very user-friendly.

Finally, if you’re afraid to do any of this yourself, but you still want to get that old PC back in action, you can ask a local computer repair store or even a company like Best Buy to handle the procedure. It’s relatively inexpensive and takes less than a day to do.