Refurbishment is the process of making a used, essentially intact, computer suitable for a new owner including cleaning, repairing and if necessary upgrading it before donating or selling it, thereby helping to prolong the useful life of this equipment.
This process includes clearing any data or software left on the computer (data destruction) and repairing or replacing any necessary parts. All computers refurbished within the Community MAR programme (see below) are eligible to be equipped with a fully-licenced Microsoft operating system.
Many community services can be delivered through the use of refurbished equipment. By promoting and facilitiating the reuse of IT equipment, we reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste, contribute to the long term sustainability of the electronics industry and provide affordable equipment for those who need it.
DOT-COMmunications is one of only a few registered Community Microsoft Authorised Refurbishing Organisations within West Yorkshire.
We work to provide charitable and not-for-profit organisations with access to low-cost refurbished computers, computer parts, printers and peripherals. Contact us to check the item you need is currently in stock. All our machines are diverted from our recycling operation, data-wiped, tested and refurbished.
The majority of computers we provide are broadband-ready and suitable for the full range of office and multimedia tasks.
DOT-COMmunications only provides refurbished PCs to not-for-profit organisations and groups such as charities, community, voluntary and faith organisations and not-for-profit social enterprises. Organisations may purchase PCs for staff and individuals but we do not sell direct.
We do not make a specific charge for supplying refurbished computers, provided they are not for resale; however, as we are a not-for-profit organisation, we do ask for a contribution to offset the significant cost of staff time involved in carrying out safety checks, PAT testing, system diagnostics, installation of most up-to-date drivers etc. Each computer undergoes over one hundred separate checks, tests and operations before it leaves our workshop.
Basic PC ~ No charge but a donation is requested.
All computers are supplied without an operating system installed unless purchased separately when ordering.
An additional donation is required for upgraded systems i.e., higher processor, increased memory, larger or secondary hard disks, DVD drives or CD/DVD Read-Write Drives and mice (why so few donors supply working mice is a mystery up there with the secret of what happens to all the missing left socks).
Cost of upgrades is dependent on the availability of refurbished equipment and the staff time needed to carry out the installation etc. Alternatively, new equipment can be purchased and installed for the actual cost of the hardware plus staff time.
For example;
If you require any upgrades, please contact us, and we will do our best to assist you.
Higher specification PCs are occasionally available and are usually sold on a per individual item basis to view our current higher specification equipment, please visit our sales page.
For example;
As a not-for-profit community organisation ourselves, this service is offered at cost however these charges are set low to ensure no organisation is excluded from using our facilities. In recognition of this, any organisations wishing to make a higher donation for any equipment are more than welcome to do so.
In addition, we can also supply refurbished printers, networking equipment, scanners etc. To view, the available equipment visit our sales page here.
All refurbished equipment supplied is covered by our no quibble, money back guarantee.
In other words if any hardware fails to function within the first 3 months we will replace or give you your money back in full.
The MAR (Microsoft Authorised Refurbishing) programme authorises eligible refurbishers to install a range of software on refurbished computers:
- Windows XP operating system is available for all computers distributed to eligible charities through the programme, Windows 2000 is also available.
- Microsoft Office XP Standard is currently available for computers supplied to eligible charitable organisations and other Microsoft-specially approved recipients, but not for eligible academic recipients.
There is a small charge for this service (see below).
Note: All operating systems come pre-installed on your new computer. We do not normally supply copies of disks (Open Office is the exception) and we do not supply operating systems unless they are already installed, however we do install all necessary files on the hard disk. We can reinstall the operating system in the event of a problem for an additional charge.
All Microsoft Packages can be installed in either Arabic , Czech , English , Polish or Russian if required. Please state at time of purchase if required.
These prices apply to operating systems and programs supplied by Microsoft under its Community MAR scheme and are only available to authorised organisations. For more information about who is eligible, please visit the Microsoft Community MAR site.
Office XP Standard - Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Database, PowerPoint.
Works 8.5 - Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Database, Calendar, Address Book, Dictionary, PowerPoint Viewer, Internet Explorer 6.0 SP-1 (installed if IE 6.0 not already present) and Outlook Express. Works is an eligible qualifying software product for an Microsoft Office 2003 upgrade.
Open Office Fully-featured Office Suite including Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Database, Vector Graphics, Math's Editor, Dictionary and Presentation Creator.
What languages are Microsoft Products available in?
Windows 2000 Professional is available in Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, French (Canadian), German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish, Spanish (LATAM), Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Traditional Chinese Hong Kong, and Turkish.
Windows XP Professional is available in Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Traditional Chinese Hong Kong, and Turkish.
We do not currently supply PCs with an operating system in any languages except in Arabic , Czech, English , Polish or Russian at present. However, if there is sufficient demand for one of the other languages listed here, please contact us and we will attempt to obtain it.