Computer Donation Frequently Asked Questions

NeXt I.T. takes the guesswork out of the whole Computer Donation process by offering easy to understand and useful information throughout this website. Below are some of the most common questions relating to computer donations

• Who benefits from recycling?
  As well as helping small charities and supporting good causes like Every Women's Place, you could be helping families on lower incomes that are in desperate need of computer equipment so the children can complete their home work. This also benefits women who are trying to write resumes and look for employment.
• Who receives equipment?
  We donate equipment to people who really need it and in many cases have been refused help elsewhere.
• As a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher:
  We are able to donate fully operational computers that have been installed with Windows XP totally free of charge.
• What should you do with your old computer?
  Recycling your old computer with NeXt I.T. is a great way to get it into the hands of someone who can use it. Not to mention, it will benefit those in your community.
• What computer equipment is best suited for reuse?
  Charitable donations of computer equipment that individuals or companies would like to pass on directly to NeXt I.T. should generally be no more than five years old, (in most cases) in working condition, and Internet-capable. Up to five-year-old working laptops and laser printers are in high demand, as are 17-inch or larger working monitors, mice, keyboards, and cables.
• How can I maximize the reuse potential of my computer system?
  Donate your old computer to NeXt I.T. within a few months after buying your new one. For most people, it isn’t required to keep older computers around for parts or as a backup machine. The effective reuse life of a computer is only two or three years, so the sooner you get it back into the cycle, the more useful it can be.
• Can my donations be used "as is" or do they have to be refurbished or upgraded?
  Almost all three-to-five-year-old working computers can be upgraded to do the things most people do with computers: Internet browsing, e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and finances. Up to three-year-old working computers are generally useful "as-is".
• Am I eligible for a tax break if I donate my old electronics?
  Yes, if you donate it to a library, school, or a nonprofit program, you are eligible for a tax donation. Next I.T. can provide you with a "donation receipt" on behalf of Every Women's Place, for your tax purposes.
• Ensuring Privacy of Your Data
  If I have confidential information on my system, what questions should I ask of the donation recipients regarding privacy? What should I do before I pass on my system for reuse to ensure the security of my information?
  • NeXt IT removes data from all storage devices in accordance with Dept of Defense (DOD) 5220.22-M standard. Devices that are non-operational will be physically destroyed.
  • All items are stored in a non-accessible area at our facilities until they are re-purposed.
• If I have software on my system and wish to leave it on the system, do I need to include the licenses with my system?
  Yes. Although certainly not required, older computers work best with older software, so it's incredibly useful to pass along any software that goes with your older computer like restore CDs, documentation, and any other software you won't use on your replacement equipment. To make sure that the next user has access to software that goes with computers legally, include the media (disks or CDs), manuals and any papers that look like legal documents. The most important ones are called End User License Agreements and Certificates of Authenticity. Note that the EULA may be an online document the user clicked "Agree" to years ago. The Certificate of Authenticity may be nothing more than some fancy printing with a serial number on the cover of the basic User Manual (if the system came preloaded, as many now do).