Selling second-hand PCs

I've been selling second-hand computers for a while now and I often wonder if it is worth it. When I sell a new DELL computer to a customer they often want to trade-in or for me to dispose of their old computer which I'm willing to do.

However it often involves a lot of work to wipe their personal data, restore Windows and then upgrade it to the latest version. I also add applications such as free anti-virus such as AVG Free or Microsoft Security Essentials, Adobe Reader Microsoft Works, Open Office, etc. So with the checking out the hardware this adds up top two to three hours work for just £50 to £100 I get for selling this computer. Fine, I am recycling old systems and giving them a new useful life to people who generally cannot afford a new one and I don't offer any warranty. But this is time consuming work with little in return.

The people who buy a second-hand computer for £50-60 do not want to spend another £40 to install it either. In fact they often expect first-class service for a third-class price. And if it fails they blame you: that PC that you sold me two years ago has gone wrong, so what are you going to do about it?

Selling on eBay is no solution either. The last DELL Dimension that I sold went for under £3. Not a good return on my time and effort. It is a pity as some of these are good computer from reliable manufact- urers like DELL, Compaq, Acer and HP and they could offer a useful life for another couple of years at least. But is it worth it?

Just Cause 2

For the last three weeks I've been playing a wacky blow-em-up game called Just Cause 2. In fact I've just clocked up 42 hours playing this thing!

I wanted a new game to play and went into the GAME shop for Batman -- Arkham Asylum which I'd played the demo awhile back and enjoyed, so I thought that I'd pick it up cheap and play the full game. I fell for the £10 per game or two for £15 marketing ploy and picked up Just Cause 2 on the recommendation of the shop assistant.

It is a go anywhere, shoot up everything so called 'sandbox' game similar to Far Cry 2, one of my all-time favourite games. Obviously a video game console port as it has strange save-game checkpoints and bright graphics. Never the less is has an addictive quality to keep trying the tasks and objectives that are set for you. Hence the 42 hours playtime. Transport by bike, car, plane and boat are varied as is the grappling iron to get on top of buildings out of sight until the heat wears off. Then parachute silently down to create more mayhem!

Explosions are great, weapons just right (though too little ammunition) and a subtle increase in difficulty all the time that makes you try again. When I'm bored with it, I'll start playing Batman, but intil then just one more oil refinery to demolish!