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MODULE 4: Refurbishing and Maintaining a PC

Online/Offline Resources

Readings

  1. Setting up a local area network (LAN) and the Internet in a technical service centre is described in the document called IT in the organisation. Firewalls, viruses and virus protection are also covered.
  2. It is advisable to set up a programme for volunteers to work in your refurbishing workshop – unemployed youngsters gain computer skills and knowledge from being involved in refurbishing computers, and leave the refurbishing workshop with the confidence to use their skills in the future. The SchoolNet Namibia (see page 8 – The Workshop Team) and Computers for Schools Kenya (see page 5 – The Workshop) case studies both describe the use of volunteers in their refurbishing workshops.
  3. A helpdesk is important for efficient maintenance of the PCs. It should be the first source of assistance for any problem an existing site is having with its computers. Here is a document on helpdesk concepts. SchoolNet Namibia has a helpdesk which is described in the case study on page 11.
  4. There are various components that make up a computer. This is a list of the components.
  5. Workshop processes comprise all the steps in refurbishment and production that are involved in receiving equipment and preparing it for shipment to a client.
  6. It is important to have an inventory management system to keep track of stock movement. Both the case studies on SchoolNet Namibia and Computers for Schools Kenya (CFSK) describe their ways of tracking stock. This document on inventory looks in-depth at inventory management.
  7. Thin client solutions vs. fat (thick) client solutions
  8. This is a document describing the thin client model
  9. Choosing the operating system that is most appropriate for the PCs is important to avoid problems with usability
  10. This is a press release for a comparison study of Open Source and Proprietary Software in an African Contex
  11. Copyright and legal aspects have to be taken into consideration when the operating system and application software is proprietary software. Page 1 of the CFSK case study describes their relationship with Microsoft
  12. You can protect yourself against viruses with a few simple steps listed in the document called virus protection
  13. The importance of including educational content on PCs destined for schools.
  14. Educational software is useful content and resources to install on the PCs. This is a document which describes the criteria for evaluating education software.
  15. Once the PCs have been refurbished and passed the performance assessment test, they are ready for rollout and installation.
  16. Providing ongoing support after delivery of the computers is essential for sustainability. The CFSK (page 7) and SNN (page 6) case studies describe their maintenance programmes.

Retour-up resources/Additional Info

A depiction of workshop processes is given in the following three diagrams provided by Bridges.org. They demonstrate how equipment passes through each stage, as well as helps to show the integration of inventory with workshop processes. It also depicts the process of evaluation that goes into deciding which equipment should be kept for re-use, which pieces should be kept aside for replacement stock, and which should be recycled:

Diagram 1: Workflow – inventory and testing
Diagram 2: Hard drive workflow
Diagram 3: Assembly/Configuration/Burn-In Workflow

Refurbishing the computer

  1. Staffing the workshop is a detailed document on using volunteers in the workshop and what is required for the system to work efficiently.
  2. Before computers are sent for testing, their insides need to be completely cleared of dust. This process is discussed in the document called cleaning.
  3. All refurbishing workshops need a set of boot disks so that computers can be started using a floppy disk. It’s useful for testing processes, and essential in cases where hard drives and operating systems have been corrupted. This document discusses boot disks in technical terms.
  4. Testing hardware is a major part of the refurbishment process. This document describes the testing process in detail and in technical terms. Page 2 of the document looks at the importance of data destruction.
  5. PC Assembly is a document describing the process where tested equipment is assembled according to a set of outlined specifications.
  6. Configuration – BIOS and drivers are discussed here in technical terms.
  7. Here is a guide to single installations of operating systems and application software.
  8. The Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) is computer software developed by the open source community. The software allows many low-specification, cheap computers known as clients, to connect to a more powerful server computer across a network.
  9. Simultaneous installation of an operating system onto a number of similar computers is described in this document called multiple installations in technical terms.
  10. The final step in the refurbishment process is networking the PCs. Network setup describes this process.
  11. Quality Assurance testing is an exhaustive set of tests designed to detect failures in equipments hardware or operating system installation before the equipment is delivered to the customer.
  12. This is an example of a quality assurance checklist.
  13. The Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher programme is open to any organisation in Europe, Middle East and Africa that refurbishes computers for Eligible Recipients. Members must meet the terms and conditions of the Refurbishment and Re-Installation Licence Agreement to join the programme and while participating in the programme.

Teacher Training Programmes

This draft list of African teacher training programmes in ICT is being compiled by SchoolNet Africa to assist schoolnets to identify suitable ICT training content for teachers in Africa. This list is still in the process of being modified and added to, but it already provides an extensive insight into the software that is available for teacher training.

Online Educational Resources

  1. Direqlearn is a Technology in Education solutions provider, supporting education ministries, school networking, community organisations and schools, with the integration of technology in the teaching and learning process in Africa
    http://www.direqlearn.org/
  2. Imfundo is the team within DFID (Department for International Development) which creates partnerships to deliver ICT-based activities supporting gender equality and universal primary education in sub-Saharan Africa
    http://imfundo.digitalbrain.com/imfundo/frontpage/Sommaire/
  3. Online educational resources to assist in looking for schools, learning materials, past exam papers, help with research projects, Retourground information on educational matters or a job in teaching in South Africa
    http://www.southafrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/education/eduonline.htm
  4. The portal offers thousands of resources – all free. dThis website delivers information, curriculum and support materials to the South African schooling community!
    http://www.thutong.org.za/
  5. Mindset Network - A far-reaching project aimed at uplifting all South Africans through better education, Mindset delivers free educational material via satellite broadcasts, with supporting multimedia material in print and on the internet.
    http://www.mindset.co.za/
  6. The Acacia initiative is an international program to empower sub-Saharan communities with the ability to apply information and communication technologies (ICTs) to their own social and economic development.
    http://www.acacia.org.za/

Other useful websites

http://seedsforchange.org.uk/
http://www.techsoup.org/
www.itrainonline.org/itrainonline/mmtk/refurbished.shtml
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/
http://www.how-computers-work.com/
http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/
http://www.tufftest.com/