There are many ways you can help the ElectroRegeneration Society:

• Cash donations (see Paypal button in the right column)
• Sorting and testing literally tons of computer parts and equipment
• Organizing the warehouse (high priority)
• Linux and Windows installs
• Periodic equipment pick-up from donors
• Painting/flooring/cleaning the office space
• Swamp cooler installation in office
• Wireless Internet install on roof (downlink)
• Electrical work
• Community outreach to organizations that can help us get computers to those who need them
• Create/modify documentation for refurbishing procedures that anyone can follow
• Donate equipment and supplies, such as:
  • A vacuum with brush attachment
  • A flashlight
  • An air compressor
  • Zip-able sandwich bags (for computer mice)
  • Spackle and paint for office area
  • Zip ties for power cords
  • A platform hand truck (similar to this item)
  • A tall step ladder

Our computers are generally Intel/PC architecture desktop systems. All of our equipment is refurbished and is typically 4-7 years old.

What We Have

We can supply all of the core components of a desktop computer system, including:

• Computer (with operating system)
• CRT monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse

What We Sometimes Have

We sometimes have other computing components. These items are available for purchase when we have them in stock.

• Speakers
• Printers
• Networking equipment
• Laptop computer
• Enterprise-level servers
• Apple hardware
• LCD monitors

We generally do not have:

• Wireless networking components
• High-end, new hardware

Typical Minimum Hardware

Typical system specs are:

• 20gb or larger hard drive
• CD ROM or better optical drive
• 512mb or more RAM
• on-board sound, NIC, VGA port, parallel printer port, and several USB ports
• Keyboard and mouse
• 1.8 Ghz or better processor
• 15″ or larger CRT monitor

All hardware is thoroughly cleaned (both physically and for data), and we do our best to improve systems so that they will run as efficiently and responsively as possible.

Installed Software

The software we install depends on the operating system and the intended usage. We prefer Ubuntu Linux over Microsoft Windows XP Pro for installation on computers. It is free of cost and handles most common tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, Internet use, and email just fine. It also has free downloadable programs for photo editing, vector design, money management and much more. If you would rather run Windows XP, there is a hard cost associated with the licensing of Windows that we ask a $30 (per computer) donation for.

If you are planning to use the Internet over an ethernet connection, such as what is done with most offices, DSL, or cable connections, Ubuntu Linux will work. However, if you require phone dial-up Internet access, the type of modem we can include with your computer requires Microsoft Windows. Please let us know if you require dial-up access.

Windows XP for organizations

• Adobe Reader
• Adobe Flash
• CDBurnerXP (if system has a disc burner)
• GIMP
• Microsoft Security Essentials
• Mozilla Firefox
• Mozilla Thunderbird
• OpenOffice.org
• Pidgin

Windows XP for home users

The home installation includes all of the software installed for organizations, plus:

• Audacity
• Celestia
• Google Earth
• Inkscape
• KeePass Password Safe
• Paint.net
• Scribus
• Secret Maryo Chronicles
• Stellarium
• VLC

Ongoing Support

Our current resources do not permit us to provide ongoing support and service. If you receive a broken computer from us, please bring it back and we will swap it for a working computer.

We provide computer systems (includes computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse) to both nonprofits and individuals. Please see the appropriate section below. If you want to know more about the types of computers we provide, please read About Our Computers.

Nonprofits

501(c)3 nonprofits automatically qualify to receive 10 computers per year (requests for more than 10 need to be made through a proposal process). We ask that organizations supply us with a copy of their 501(c)3 determination letter prior to receiving their first computer. If you work in a nonprofit, school, or non-commercial organization that needs computers for your organization or your clients, email us and let us know what your needs are.

If your organization’s individual clients need computers, we recommend participation in the service-for-equipment program described below. However, we are more than willing to discuss alternative plans with you.

Please note that we cannot deliver equipment — it must be picked up from our warehouse. Warehouse hours and location are listed below.

Individuals

Individuals may obtain a computer via purchase (for $130), or by completing 15 hours of service to our organization. There is no technical experience necessary to volunteer with our organization. We have lots of nontechnical tasks (such as cleaning, sorting, etc.), and with any technical tasks, we’ll show you how to do it.

Service hours can be performed by proxies and may also be pooled — so, for example, a family of 5 could serve 3 hours and achieve the 15 total hours needed to receive a computer system. Volunteers must be 16 or older — or may be 14 or 15 if accompanied by a supervising adult volunteer. To volunteer, just show up at our warehouse during warehouse hours. Warehouse hours and location are listed below.

Costs

We strive to provide free computers to nonprofits, as well as to provide cost-free equipment to individuals via the service-for-equipment program. However, there are some costs associated with specific add-ons:

• Dial-up modem: $15

Warehouse Location:

555 S 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT (Map)

Warehouse Hours:

The warehouse is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, with weekday hours available by request via our contact page. Request for weekday hours must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the beginning of the requested shift.

Before visiting us, please check our calendar for any updates to the warehouse schedule.

The Electroregeneration Society accepts both functional and nonfunctional hardware (as defined below). Please not that some hardware is only accepted with payment of recycling fees.

Functional Hardware

To be reusable, a PC computer should have a Pentium 4 or newer processor, with functioning RAM and a working hard drive installed.

Nonfunctional Hardware

Nonfunctional equipment is accepted with payment of recycling fees listed below. Nonfunctional hardware includes:

• Pentium 3 or older computers
• Computers that are missing essential components such as RAM or a hard drive
• Equipment that is partially functional or in need of repair

Recycling Fees

The Electroregeneration Society will recycle your non-refurbishable  equipment through an environmentally-responsible recycler. The following fees help make responsible recycling possible:

• Nonfunctional computer: $3 each
• CRT Monitor (functioning or not): $5 each
• Nonfunctional printer: $3 – $10, depending on size/weight
• Nonfunctional small peripherals (mouse, keyboards, etc.): $1.50
• Nonfunctional speakers: $2 – $10, depending on size/weight
• Other nonfunctional equipment: please inquire with staff

There is no fee to donate a functional computer.

Charitable Tax Deductions

The Electroregeneration Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. As such, your gift of cash or reusable hardware may be tax deductible. Please seek advice from a tax-CPA if you have questions regarding your donation and taxes.

What We Do With Your Hardware Donation

We attempt to refurbish all received equipment. For your protection, we data-wipe all computers with a DoD Short algorithm. To have this service performed professionally costs $50 or more. We perform this operation as part of our processes, and suggest a $25 donation per machine to help us cover operating costs.

After cleaning the donated computers physically and for data, we install an operating system and software packages for organizational or home users, depending on the recipient’s needs. The entire process from receipt of a donation to placement with a deserving party can take as little as 1 day.

Donation Location and Hours

Our warehouse is the located at 555 S 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT (Map). Please check our calendar for hours of operation.

Other Recycling Options

Salt Lake County maintains a list electronics recycling locations. Please consult this resource if we cannot serve your needs. We encourage you to always dispose of electronic equipment properly.