Question about parts salvaging.

[svstee]

Anything worth salvaging in old VCRs or Windows 95/98 era PCs? I have a couple laying around I need to get rid of, are they worth busting up for parts first? Would the electrolytic caps be dead or dying after 10 or 12 tears?

[Toney]

Caps would be a no no.
R.G. says to think of electros much like batteries. They have a limited lifespan after which they are cactus. You keep them alive by using them, an un-used electro is slowly what is it....trying to remember...oxidizing? bah, that may not be exactly correct but they like to see some electrons from time to time.

[R O Tiree]

PCs, probably not - probably all SMD components on the main boards, although if you decide to get into that method of manufacture as opposed to through-hole which most of us still do, then they might have some use. The PSUs might be useful?

VCRs - might be through-hole components, might be SMD, depending on their age. Some voltage regulators in them, though, which might be of use? Gears might be of use for expression pedal pot drives?