Computer ReUse

Would you like to support our project and donate a laptop?

Thank you for your interest in the Computer ReUse project. Below, you will find all the important information you need to consider when donating a laptop. From backing up your files to actually handing over the laptop to our team.

Get in contact

Feel free to send us an email (hf-computerreuse[at]uni-koeln.de) and let us know which laptops you would like to donate. If possible, please provide us with the following information already:

  • complete model name
  • installed operating system
  • any damages
  • age of the device/year of purchase

The Computer ReUse team will now check whether your devices are suitable for reuse. If so, please check whether there are still any relevant files on the laptop.

Data backup

Normally, you can find all files located in the personal user directory:

  • Windows: C:Users[Your Username]
  • MacOS: The home directory (homefolder) of the files is usually under /Users/[your user name]

You can either back up all folders within this directory to an external medium (external hard disk, USB stick, etc.) or back up only those folders that you consider to be important.

Data deletion (optional for you)

The process of data deletion is optional for you. In any case, we will carry out a secure, complete and irrevocable data deletion on the donated laptop. For this, we use the relevant tools provided by the hard disk/device manufacturer. After that, we reinstall the operating system from scratch. If you prefer, please feel free to perform an initial data deletion yourself:

Inventory change

In order to transfer your laptops to the Computer ReUse project, there will be a change in the universities inventory list. There are three scenarios: (1) In the first option, you get in contact with Asset Accounting. From them you get an inventory document with the inventory numbers of the laptops you want to donate. This list documents the transfer from the "old" (i.e. your) cost center to the "new" (i.e. our) cost center; and will be signed by both the previous and the new cost center manager. (2) Alternatively, you can give us permission to contact Asset Accounting and filter out the laptops you want to donate. In this scenario, we prepare the respective inventory document together with Asset Accounting, so that you only have to sign the document confirming the inventory transfer.

(3) In some cases, the laptops no longer appear in the inventory list. This can be the case, e.g., if the purchase value falls below a certain amount (for laptops before 01.01.2018 it is below €400 net, for laptops after 01.01.2018 it is below €800 net); or it can be the case that the laptop has already been "scrapped". In this third scenario, we will create an internal transfer document, which keeps record of the transfer and is signed by both you and us.

If you have any further questions on any details or the procedure, please contact us under: hf-computerreuse[at]uni-koeln.de