Computers for Classrooms A nonprofit volunteer refurbishing program

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Computers for ClassroomsA non-profit volunteer
refurbishing program
Picking up their first computer
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Overview of todays presentation

• The need is great for low-cost computers.
• Quality refurbishing programs can help fill that
  need. Non-profit refurbishers make great
  partners with for-profit recyclers.
• Donors data security is an important issue.
• MARs (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher) pledge
  to do a U.S. DOD 3-pass wipe.
• Methods of wiping hard drives or hard drive
  destruction.
• Reuse is preferable to recycling.

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Computers for Classrooms

• The background of Pat Furr, the founder of CFC.
• CFC, the early years.
• CFC today
• Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher
• State of California Approved Refurbisher
• Microsoft is using CFC Manual in world-wide
  toolkit.

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Families need low cost computers

• The ratio of students to computer is still among
  the highest in California schools.
• Spanish speaking households in California compare
  to Mexico in computer and Internet use 5
  higher than families in Mexico.
• All families need access to the Internet and
  health information.
• Libraries often have time limits of ½ hour and
  lines waiting to use the computer.
• All students need equal access to technology.

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2nd Graders using PowerPoint in Bi-lingual Classes
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To Attract more donations offer more!

• We encourage data wiping instead of hard drive
  destruction.
• Wiping must take place in a secure facility with
  limited access.
• Does reformatting, repartitioning or deleting
  work?
• MARs (Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers) use a 3
  pass U.S. Department of Defense wipe.
• What is the minimum size and type of hard drive
  to wipe?

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CFC uses Blancco software

• Considerations in selecting software
• Speed
• Accuracy
• Determination of bad sectors
• Guarantee of wipe including hard copy of results.
• Number of hard drives to be wiped at a time.
• Asset tracking of donations.

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CFC has developed a new wiping station

• Initially we wiped three hard drives per
  computer.
• We now wipe 16 hard drives per computer using
• 4 RAID cards (inexpensive)
• Blancco supports 16 drives at a time.
• Inexpensive hard drive caddies. Preload trays
  for next run.
• License based per erasure not per drive.
• Saves on space, time and energy requirements.

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Wiping Hard Drives
Arts Desk wipe and Spinrite
First attempt to wipe 16 drives
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CFC 16 to 1 Wiping Station, v1
Use a server case Add hard drive caddies Install
PCI RAID IDE adapters either 2 or 4 Use two power
supplies Install extra fans for cooling Get extra
caddies to have next batch ready to go Results
are sent to Finland
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Drives with bad sectors

• Is the drive worth saving?
• What is the minimum number of bad sectors?
• Larger drives may be saved by Spinrite or by
  unlocking the drive.
• Drives may need to be destroyed. Examples big
  foot, bad sectors, small SCSI drives.

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Our first methods of drive destruction
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Diana drilling hard drives
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New method of hard drive destruction

• Degausser magnetize drive and all data.
• Drive is destroyed but can be recycled.
• Deguasser allows for 200 drives per hour.
• Safe for employees to operate.
• Quiet

Garner HD-3
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Partner with Schools
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EPA is developing a reuse calculator (Electronics
Environmental Benefits Calculator)

• Reusing just one computer and CRT saves
• 30 lbs of hazardous waste
• 77 lbs of solid waste
• 77 lbs of materials
• 147 lbs (17.5 gallons) of water from being
  polluted
• 32 tons of air from being polluted
• 1,333 lbs of CO2 from being emitted
• 7,719 kilowatts of energy
• This is equivalent to taking ½ of a carr off the
  road, saving 68 of one US household/s allotment
  of electricity for one year, and a net cost
  savings of 670.
• Find the calculator at http//federalelectronicsc
  hallenge.net/resources/bencalc.htm

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Laptops for Botswana, Africa
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Non-Profit Partnership

• Donors would prefer to give for reuse.
• Non-profits can get reduced prices for licenses
  and equipment.
• Reuse and sustainability are the issues for the
  future.
• EPA calculator will show greater energy savings
  with reuse.

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Reuse is the better way

• Our goal is to make good low-cost systems
  available for those that cannot afford new ones.
• Our children are more apt to stay in school and
  go to college with a home computer.
• At CFC we protect donors by providing a secure
  wipe of donated hard drives
• We triage, refurbish and at last resort recycle
  so the nothing goes to landfill.
• This program is a win/win for the environment and
  our children. Join with us in making a
  difference!

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Hello from the gang at CFC
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Hello from the rest of the gang