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University Information Services at Georgetown University
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UIS COMPUTER REPLACEMENT CYCLE: WHY AND WHAT UIS RECOMMENDS

  • Cycle Period - The recommended replacement period of a computer would be 4 years.  The reason for this is that we purchase computers with a 4 year warranty.  If a person keeps a computer beyond the 4 years, most computers start becoming unreliable and the maintenance costs become expensive.  Also, it enables users to have the lastest computer technology and the most recent operating systems and application versions.

  • Price - Since we encourage departments to participate in a Replacement Cycle we also recommend that, unless it is absolutely necessary, you do not invest a great deal of extra money into a new system.  We have put together standard computer models and configurations that easily fit most user needs.  It is best to plan on purchasing a standard computer every 4 years than to spend a great deal of money on a single computer that may or may not last beyond 4 or 5 years.

  • Disposal - An important part of the computer replacement process is the correct disposal of the old computer.  If you have your computer replaced thru the Replacement Cycle Program, you can be assured that all data will be removed from your old computer's hard drive and that the computer will be disposed of properly.  When UIS takes away the old computer, the computer would take one of two avenues.  Many of the computers that are around 4 years old will be recycled at the University.  What this means is that the computers may be redeployed into your department, into another area that may not have the funds to purchase new computers, or they may be used to replace old computers in labs or student work areas.  Either way the redeployed computer will need to replace a machine that is even older than the recycled machine.  Computers that will not be recycled at the University will be brought to the Facilities Recycling department. Facilities will ensure that the inoperable computers will be disposed of properly according to EPA regulations.  For working computers, Facilities will make arrangements to donate them to a charitable organization.

                         Most Importantly Follow These Instructions Prior to Disposal -

      • Backup your data prior to your computer installation.  It is very important that you  do this on a regular basis anyway.  Your computer might fail when you will least expect it to.
      • Once your computer has been swapped, don't throw away your media that you used to do your backup into the trash, instead lock it up for possible future use.  If you feel that you won't need this information again, make sure it is completely erased or destroyed.
      • Once your computer is taken away from your office area, you will not have access to your data, since we would have deleted all of your applications and data from the hard drive.
      • If you have an old computer in your office that you are interested in getting rid of, do not throw it in the dumpster.  Not only is this against EPA standard of proper computer disposal, someone might find your computer and view any sensitive or important information that you may not have deleted.
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