When a computer comes into the lab to be refurbished, there are several steps taken before it can be given to one of our recipient families.

1.)  It is checked to make sure it meets our minimum requirement for a refurbishable system.  Some systems just can't be brought up to the standard we use to make sure the systems our families get will work well for a long time.  Components from the systems that will not be used will be recycled.

2.)  All the data is removed from the hard drives.  This protects our donors' privacy and gets the hard disk ready for action.  We were able to purchase a WipeMASSter hard drive wiping system with the money from a recent grant.  The WipeMASSter is used to wipe the data from the incoming hard drives to Department of Defense standards.

3.)  The PC gets the hardware upgrades it needs (or has items removed that we don't send into the field). Everything's checked to make sure it's in working order.

4.)  We install Windows XP.  As an Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher we get a special price which enables us to make a legally-licensed copy of Windows XP and put it on each of the PCs we send out.

5.)  Install our software "suite" - OpenOffice.org business productivity programs, our Text Reader program (including a 610 volume library), the Educational Software package, and Internet Safety software.

6.)  Match all the peripherals - monitor, keyboard and mouse - and test them to make sure everything is working together.

Only after we've done all these things is a system ready to be delivered to one of the kids who qualifies for it.  It's a lot of work but the excited smiles as our families pick up their PC makes it all worthwhile.

Helping kids get ahead in their schoolwork, helping families that otherwise couldn't provide this advantage for their children, and helping protect the environment...all with volunteer labor - it's a great feeling!