First Time Computers

First Time Computers depends on donations of computer equipment. However, we cannot take all such equipment. Three rules of thumb:

• Think of what a low-income family can put in a tight space – nothing too big or too heavy.

• If its case is black, your desktop is probably OK. If its case is beige, it is probably too old.

• For now, we accept computer equipment for re-use only and not for materials recovery, so if you have items that are beyond repair, please dispose of them properly elsewhere.

WE URGENTLY NEED FLAT PANEL MONITORS

If you are donating a desktop computer, please also donate a flat panel monitor along with it. We have hundreds of desktops in inventory without monitors, and must buy used monitors at $25 each to go with them. If you don't have a flat panel monitot to donate, please consider a $25 cash contribution to First Time Computers to help us complete your system.

If by any chance you have surplus working flat panel monitors we can pick up, please let us know. We will be most appreciative!

» Computers with black outer cases, at least Pentium 4 or equivalent.
» Laptops and netbooks unless physically damaged.
» Small desktop printers, all-in-ones, 3-in-1s, and 4-in-1s, but only if they in good working order.
» Flat panel monitors that work.
» Related computer equipment - keyboards, mice, mouse pads, computer power cords, Ethernet cables, USB cables, speakers, and surge protectors.
» Working desktop and laptop components such as hard drives and RAM.
» Small computer desks and secretary chairs.

» CRT monitors [the large, bulky glass-faced monsters of old].
» Macs [unfortunately].
» PCs bought before 2001 or that are pre-Pentium 4.
» Larger office printers of any kind. No laser printers.
» Old printer cables [pre-USB].
» Stand-alone fax machines or scanners.
» Games hardware [joysticks, Gameboys, Play Stations, Xboxes, etc].
» Specialized computer equipment not usable in a home or small organization, such as old servers, old cabling, racks, blades, hubs, switches, power backups with heavy batteries, etc.
» Your computer's original boxes, software and manuals.
» Non-computer items including: TVs, VCRs, audio or video equipment of any kind, audio and video cable, phones, phone cords, cellphones, PDAs, iPads, Kindles, microwaves or other appliances, etc.

• If the item of computer equipment you are donating uses a power adapter, please include it. This is especially important with laptops and speakers.

• Please do not deliver your CPUs or monitors in large boxes. If they are already in boxes, please take them out before you donate them, and recycle the boxes at their current location. These boxes clutter our tight space and increase our recycling costs.

• Please understand that for now our purpose is re-use only. We are not the place to bring that box full of items that has been accumulating in a closet, or in your basement, garage or attic, even if the items are all electronic. If an item is not a piece of computer equipment that would be useful in a low-income home, please dispose of it properly -- elsewhere.

Yes we do pick up. However, as a general rule, we do not pick up outside the DC Beltway.

To arrange for a pickup email us at firsttimecmptrs@aol.com describing what you would like to donate, and indicating you would like a pickup. It helps if you include a phone number and address in your email. While you can also phone to arrange a pickup, we prefer that you use email.

As the first step in refurbishing a computer, we routinely wipe the entire hard drive clean. (Please see our FAQs for further information.) If you choose to wipe the drive yourself, you can leave it that way. We can take it from there.