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this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2026
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askchapo
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You can take apart the hard drives to get some really strong magnets for your refrigerator. You need a torx bit screwdriver. I think it might be a t7 bit. The hard drives are likely failing anyway.
Unless you have like a thinkpad t60 or x60 or t400 or x200. The computers are probably not worth using.
video of the magnets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=156L_QtJ_I0
On the topic of like repurposing various computer components. I used to see people using the circuit boards for like art projects or decorations. Maybe that's tacky.
Maybe having a bunch of DVD-R drives could be useful if you want to burn a bunch of DVDs at the same time. That's if these computers even have burner drives.
$WARNINGthere is 1 part of the computer that you don't want to take apart. PSU power supply unit. The PSU has high voltage capacitors inside of it, that can shock you and kill you, even if the computer is off. The PSU is a small box near the back of the case. It should be safe as long as you don't open that box. There's probably a warning sticker on that box.If you do feel brave to take it apart, with a 5-15 dollar board you can use those as a really good DC power supply for whatever project you're working on.
Just google atx break out board.