In July 2011, CUIP's application was accepted by Microsoft and we became a Registered Refurbisher under their official program.  This allows us to deliver genuine Microsoft licensed Windows Operating Sysyem (OS) installations and other software on computers donated to schools.  

Some donated computer equipment goes directly to schools from organizations in their communities. But other computers have come from the University of Chicago's ITS department which reclaims them from internal leases to some of the University's academic and administrative offices and physically refurbishes them, then routes them through CUIP for software refurbishing and delivery to recipient schools. 

In August, CUIP staffers Terry Jones, Russ Revzan, and Mitch Marks spent a day at Horatio May Elementary Community Academy, working with May's Technology Coordinator Nicole Zumpano to prepare ten donated used computers for use on the CPS network in May's labs or classrooms.  Some came with a working Windows OS and required only a CPS remediation, while others had a "wiped" hard drive and required a from-scratch installation of Windows OS before the CPS remediation steps.  The Windows installation in those latter cases was performed under Community Licensing made available to CUIP as a Registered Refurbisher.  

" xxxxxxx, xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx," remarked Professor Donald G. York, CUIP's founding Co-Director, about the step of becoming a Registered Refurbisher.  

According to CUIP Technology Coordinator Mitch Marks, "We received useful advice on getting into the Registered Refurbisher program from Willie Cade and Sarah Commes of the Computers for Schools organization," now called PC Rebuilders & Recyclers.  "And the University's College Computing office showed us the advantages and convenience of delivering a refurbished computer to a school with the OS pre-installed and only minimal setup remaining to be done."


