21.   Of course, plenty of local stores buy used computers, and there are no shipping charges.

22.   Other sites specialize in a particular type of used computer, like laptops or Macs.

23.   Other organizations, notably the Boston Computer Society, accept used computers that can still be made serviceable.

24.   Potential buyers examine used computer equipment, much of it from failing dot-coms, at an auction in San Francisco.

25.   Shopping for a used computer takes its toll in time and energy.

26.   Some of the risks associated with buying a used computer have more to do with the reliability of the seller than the machine.

27.   Stores have been known to resell used computers without first wiping hard drives clean.

28.   The company also is a broker for used computers.

29.   The Detwiler Foundation takes used computers donated by corporations and individuals, and funnels them to schools.

30.   The department also backed removal of decree provisions relating to the operation of IBM service bureaus and its treatment of used computers obtained as trade-ins, Turetsky said.