how to find computer owner

[darsben]

The finder tried to do the right thing by turning it in to the authorities who decided not to take possession of the property.
The police could have called the manufacturer of the unit and asked if the serial number had been registered. This the OP cannot do and the police felt it not worth their time or effort. In my locality that is what you are supposed to do with found valuables. Usually the police keep the valuables for a certain amount of time then turn it back to  the finder. 

It is not working it can not be made to work easily.

Throw it away

 

[mel s]

All you have to do is remove the back and then remove the hard drive.
Take that hard drive to any computer store, Best Buy if you have one, and they can download everything that is on that hard drive to a thumb drive.
The problem with this solution is that it will be somewhat expensive to do. 
BTW...when you get the transfer done, you might just get them to transfer the e-mails since that is where you will get the owners address.
Also, you may want to open those e-mails with someone else present to prove you did not read confidential e-mails.
You only opened the first e-mail they wrote to someone else to get their address.
You never know if the owner is going to be as nice as you and while I doubt you would lose a law suit, you would have to defend it and that would be expensive.

Neal
In other words forget about it..... (some good deeds are not worth doing).

 

[darsben]

AND if Best BUY determines there is pornography on the hard drive they may well turn you into the local authorities.

 

[TheBar]

When road workers here find hubcaps or something that looks valuable they lean them up against road signs. Lean it up against a fence or mail box post so the owner can spot it easily. Doesn't rule out an opportunistic thief won't steal it, but you did your part.

 

[Arch Hoagland]

Neal...you can also put an AD on Craig's list in the lost and found area.

 

[Neal]

We have ordered a USB adapter (as per REGVAL's suggestion) and hope to be able to access the hard drive. Possibly we might gain some info there. If nothing else might learn something else about computers.

 

[8Muddypaws]

I suggest you start by searching the manufacturers support site, YouTube, or www.ifixit.com for detailed instructions on how to disassemble the computer.  Some (most) are like a magic box puzzle these days.