Computers at auction

I am beginning to think I am totally clueless. I have taken apart a few computers and dismantling electronics appeals to this fat, old, broke down body a lot more than lifting and hauling. So I have been looking at surplus auctions for computers and so far pretty much every one goes for more than scrap value and is some cases way more. Here are some examples (with the "complete" online description) that closed tonight.

1. Lot of a couple of hundred Dell GX1 Towers. Roughly 200 units MUST: Be picked up with a "Certificate of Destruction"

Sold for $3800 ~$19 per tower

2. Lot of 100+ Dell GX1 Towers.MUST provide a "Certificate of Destruction"

Sold for $5200 ~$52 per tower

3. Lot of 100+ Dell GX1 Towers Pile of Monitors Lot of Dell Servers shown in picture. The picture showed DELL poweredge 1650 servers probably 20+

Sold for $9600 :eek: ~???

I thought with the requirement for a destruct certificate there would be less bidding - wrong! It is pretty obvious these are not being scrapped. So I am competing with people who know more about this subject than I do and that is not a recipe for success. Thanks to this forum I know about scrapping computers, but it appears I need to know about testing and maybe fixing them as well. Anybody have any suggestions where to start looking for places to educate myself?

Starbits

Look for older computers at auctions....i picked up 20 for around 60 bucks the other day

What are these p2, p3, p4? Any idea what would make them so valuable? Also how far are you from Sylva, NC I have a bid in on some computers. Mike.

MDG Hadn't thought about Dummy books, I certainly qualify.

Miked googling DELL GX1 datasheets says P2 or P3. No idea why they went so high, they are either parting them out or fixing and reselling. There are a lot of parts on eBay, but a check of completed listings shows not many have sold. According to mapquest I am 312 miles 5 1/2 hours from Sylva, NC.

I wouldnt pay more than $5 a piece for old p2 p3 machines. They really have no resale value. I serioulsly daubt they had a HD in them larger then 20 to 40gb. Who ever baught them must know something I dont. Maybe they are refurbing them for sale over seas?

"According to mapquest I am 312 miles 5 1/2 hours from Sylva, NC."

I screwed up and put a bid in on a government auction. The contact name is Wilson and I took it to be the location. Well its in Sylva. I guess if I win the bid I will be looking for someone closer to pick up and break them down.

Those numbers just don't make sense to me for the computers you were talking about. Best to you, Mike.