Our Refurbished Computers

The PURPLE ELEPHANT COMPUTER FACTORY for KIDS! receives donated PCs, refurbishes them, and places them back into the community at a low cost.   These computers have a good combination of Hardware, Software,  and Internet Access for students to do their homework.   The PCs are available at both of our Raleigh locations:

• 6808 DAVIS CIRCLE, 919-788-7740
  Hours:  Wed - Fri   9:00-5:00   and  Sat 10:00-2:00 (starting July 31, 2010)
• 6320-116 CAPITAL BLVD, 919-324-9139
  Hours:  Mon - Fri   9:00-6:00

The refurbished computer includes:

• An Internet-ready, fully functional, used personal computer system (minimum specifications: 1 GHz Pentium class processor, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB hard drive, 3.5" floppy drive, CD ROM drive, high speed internet connection, color monitor, mouse, and keyboard, with modem on request);
  

• A standard software image:  Windows XP Professional Operating System, OpenOffice install folder (MS Office compatible software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and databases), Microsoft Security Essentials;

• A folder of  free/open software.

The typical Purple Elephant system is a desktop or tower configuration.  We occasionally also have laptop PC's available.  If you need a laptop, call us at 919-788-7740 to see if we currently have any.

Note:  The Purple Elephant is a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) - each refurbished computer has a new MS software license.

PE is a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher - a MAR

Refurbishing a computer requires several activities:

• Each computer that the PE receives is evaluated to determine if it meets the minimum configuration requirements to be refurbished.

• If it is acceptable, tests are run to make sure that the motherboard and memory are OK.

• Any hard drives are wiped or replaced with a larger drive that has been wiped.  Wiping the hard drive erases all data from it.

• Memory and adapters are added, if needed, to bring the computer up to a standard minimum configuration for placing back into the community.

• A standard software image is downloaded.  This includes the Windows OS and other software.

• The new system is tested to verify that all hardware drivers are available.  Any needed drivers are identified, downloaded and applied.