A Guide to Accepting Donated Computers for Your School
Updated: April 7, 2004
The decision to accept or decline an offer of donated computers for your school can be complicated. There are many important questions to ask, including:
| • | Will the computer run the software that your school currently uses? |
| • | What is the cost of integrating the hardware into your existing networks? |
| • | Will your teachers or students need additional training to use the computer? |
| • | Do you have the appropriate documentation and CDs for the original operating system? |
If you feel it is in the best interest of your school to accept the donated personal computers, make sure you know the licensing guidelines and the programs available to assist you in acquiring the proper documentation for your operating system licenses.
Questions and Answers
Q. Why should a donor include the operating system with their personal computer donation? | A. The legal transfer of the operating system can go a long way to help an organization get that computer into use with minimal expended resources. |
Q. What if the donated computers do not come with the appropriate documentation and CDs for the original operating system? | A. Microsoft's Fresh Start for Donated Computers program provides the appropriate documentation and media which can be used as proof of license for qualifying donated personal computers. |
Q. What does the donor need to do to donate a personal computer with the operating system? | A. Personal computer owners have to transfer their license rights to the operating system to your school along with the personal computer. They may do so as specified in their End-User License Agreement (received at the time of purchase) as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the personal computer. |
Q. How does the personal computer owner transfer their license rights for the operating system? | A. The following should be included with the donation of the personal computer. | • | All copies of the software on original disk or CD, including back-up and/or recovery materials | | • | Manuals and printed materials | | • | End-User License Agreement | | • | Certificate(s) of Authenticity |
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Q. What if the donor can't find the backup CDs, End-User License Agreement, End-User manual and the Certificate of Authenticity? Can they still donate the personal computer and operating system? | A. Yes. For qualifying personal computers, Microsoft's Fresh Start for Donated Computers program provides the appropriate documentation and media which can be used as proof of license in the event that the donor cannot provide these materials.
Donated personal computers with Intel Pentium III (or equivalent) and newer processors bearing a Windows Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker and accompanied by some form of proof that they were donated have sufficient documentation for a valid Windows operating system license. You can use any media that you have, including Microsoft volume licensing agreements, to reinstall the Windows operating system. |
Q. Can I upgrade the operating system on a donated machine? | A. Yes, once the machine and original operating system are transferred to your institution you own the personal computer and the licensed software. You can upgrade via Microsoft Academic Licensing Programs: Microsoft School Agreement Subscription, Microsoft Campus Agreement Subscription, Microsoft Academic Open or Microsoft Academic Select. Contact your preferred Microsoft Authorized Education Reseller for details. |
Q. Can I purchase the FULL version of Windows Operating System through Microsoft Academic Volume Licensing? | A. No. Only UPGRADE licenses are available for Windows Operating System through Microsoft Academic Volume Licensing. Learn more about operating system licensing. |
Q. If my school donates personal computers to students or parents through a technology access program, how do I ensure they are properly licensed before they are distributed? | A. Your school should transfer the original documentation and media for the refurbished machines as described above. If this is not possible, your school may qualify to participate as part of the Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher Donation Program in order to ensure each refurbished machine is properly licensed. |
