Refurbishing Computers

[Tepin]

I work in a retail location as the computer repair tech and a large part of my customer base is older people who invested a decent amount of money in a PC and hoped it would last them 10 years. Sadly they are failing, usually the hard drive or power supply.

In the past it was viable to refurbish Prescott P4's with XP. I have a good source for retired machines from businesses, offices and agencies. I'm starting to have more access to modern machines at good prices, that can support a modern OS without $100 worth of memory. Sadly though since many of them are Vista era and are business class they have XP Pro on them.

In a low income market I'm always dealing with competitors that are selling pirated Windows. There are even a few retail shops that I've seen advertising machines that seem fishy to me.

The Pawn Shops around here sell the machine in the same condition it was in when it came in, not even a factory restore. And people still buy them because they think they are getting a good deal on a powerful Windows 7 machine. Half of them end up in my shop with flaky hardware.

I really want to be able to offer refurbished machines to customers at a reasonable price. Sadly XP is going to be at it's end of life to soon for me to recommend purchasing it. I would like to be able to start selling refurbished machines with Windows 7 on them. From some numbers I've seen tossed about it seems like it's obtainable as a Registered Refurbisher.

I don't expect anyone else to divulge prices in this thread, but if anyone who is in the program can answer 2 questions for me I'd be very grateful.

Can I purchase a Windows 7 refurb license for any machine I'm refurbishing to sell? Does the original OS license matter?

How much do you sell a system with specs similiar to a 2.0ghz dual core, 2 GB RAM, 80-160GB hard drive and Windows 7?

 

[PCX]

You can get a 3 pack of Windows 7 for $80

You have to submit your original COA to MS before they will give you a product key for your Windows 7. I believe there is an exception to the rule if the product key is missing, please someone correct me if I am wrong.

As for refurbs in general, make sure you always run a full diagnostics and do a clean install. As for pricing, that really depends on the laptop, specs don't mean much if the quality or name brand sucks. I suggest looking on ebay or google shopping for similar refurbished units and price a little higher than what they are listed at. You can do this because the people you are selling these too have the ability to touch and see the unit before purchasing, instead of just hoping they get something decent online.

 

[carrcomp]

You can get a 3 pack of Windows 7 for $80

You have to submit your original COA to MS before they will give you a product key for your Windows 7. I believe there is an exception to the rule if the product key is missing, please someone correct me if I am wrong.

As for refurbs in general, make sure you always run a full diagnostics and do a clean install. As for pricing, that really depends on the laptop, specs don't mean much if the quality or name brand sucks. I suggest looking on ebay or google shopping for similar refurbished units and price a little higher than what they are listed at. You can do this because the people you are selling these too have the ability to touch and see the unit before purchasing, instead of just hoping they get something decent online.

The only exception is if you are selling the PC to a registered charity. In that case, you don't need the original.

Otherwise, the original needs to be there.

There is a chart on Microsoft's website listed with the registered refurbishers that show what original OS can go with which new key.

The charity key is also alot cheaper as an FYI if you can get into something like that.

 

[PCX]

The only exception is if you are selling the PC to a registered charity. In that case, you don't need the original.

Otherwise, the original needs to be there.

There is a chart on Microsoft's website listed with the registered refurbishers that show what original OS can go with which new key.

The charity key is also alot cheaper as an FYI if you can get into something like that.

Thank you, I knew I read something similar to that, but I couldn't remember all the details. I have not been a member for very long.

 

[carrcomp]

Thank you, I knew I read something similar to that, but I couldn't remember all the details. I have not been a member for very long.

No problem.

Too bad schools don't count as a charity.

 

[Tepin]

You can get a 3 pack of Windows 7 for $80

You have to submit your original COA to MS before they will give you a product key for your Windows 7. I believe there is an exception to the rule if the product key is missing, please someone correct me if I am wrong.

As for refurbs in general, make sure you always run a full diagnostics and do a clean install. As for pricing, that really depends on the laptop, specs don't mean much if the quality or name brand sucks. I suggest looking on ebay or google shopping for similar refurbished units and price a little higher than what they are listed at. You can do this because the people you are selling these too have the ability to touch and see the unit before purchasing, instead of just hoping they get something decent online.

Thank you for this reply, it's very informative!

I always do a full hardware test on every machine with PC-Check. It was introduced me as a burn in tool in the 90's when I started working tech and find it useful for repairs as well as refurbs.

A full wipe and reload, with updates, a legitimate A/V, and basic software to "make the internet work" and utilities are included. When I sell a refurbished machine for $150 they are paying and getting $100 worth of labor. In the past this meant XP machines with later P4s. Easy solution for someone who is bitter about investing $1000+ in a machine that didn't last ten years.

If anything funny happens during this process it goes back for stricter testing.

I guess I didn't make my questions clear, my focus is on refurbished desktop machines.

Laptops don't have the durability and most of the used laptops I buy are for salvage. The more modern machines that I have access to aren't laptops. I do more migrations to new laptops then I sell used.

The machines are almost all MPC ClientPro and slim Optiplex. I obtain them with core 2 duo's, 1-2 gigs of DDR2 and 80-160 GB hard drives for $65-85 a piece. The majority of them are from a University and Hospital group. I would love to sell them with Windows 7 and not lose much on markup, they are reliable machines that have simply been replaced by scheduled upgrades.

 

[carrcomp]

Thank you for this reply, it's very informative!

I always do a full hardware test on every machine with PC-Check. It was introduced me as a burn in tool in the 90's when I started working tech and find it useful for repairs as well as refurbs.

A full wipe and reload, with updates, a legitimate A/V, and basic software to "make the internet work" and utilities are included. When I sell a refurbished machine for $150 they are paying and getting $100 worth of labor. In the past this meant XP machines with later P4s. Easy solution for someone who is bitter about investing $1000+ in a machine that didn't last ten years.

If anything funny happens during this process it goes back for stricter testing.

I guess I didn't make my questions clear, my focus is on refurbished desktop machines.

Laptops don't have the durability and most of the used laptops I buy are for salvage. The more modern machines that I have access to aren't laptops. I do more migrations to new laptops then I sell used.

The machines are almost all MPC ClientPro and slim Optiplex. I obtain them with core 2 duo's, 1-2 gigs of DDR2 and 80-160 GB hard drives for $65-85 a piece. The majority of them are from a University and Hospital group. I would love to sell them with Windows 7 and not lose much on markup, they are reliable machines that have simply been replaced by scheduled upgrades.

You would have to buy windows 7 software for them if they didn't originally come with windows 7.

I beleive Vista is the only exception, which allowed for an upgrade to windows 7 starter (the version might be wrong on that)

Your best bet is to sign up for the Microsoft refurbisher program.

It's free to sign up, and at least you'll have all of the information.

 

[Tepin]

You would have to buy windows 7 software for them if they didn't originally come with windows 7.

I beleive Vista is the only exception, which allowed for an upgrade to windows 7 starter (the version might be wrong on that)

Your best bet is to sign up for the Microsoft refurbisher program.

It's free to sign up, and at least you'll have all of the information.

I only sell refurbs with licensed copies of Windows. What I have read has convinced me to lean on the owner to apply and put me as the contact.

 

[carrcomp]

I only sell refurbs with licensed copies of Windows. What I have read has convinced me to lean on the owner to apply and put me as the contact.

Maybe the laws in Canada are different than the laws in the state.
PCX, tell me something.

Is it legal to sell a used computer without refurbing it?

In Canada, you must "refurbish" a windows PC before selling it by purchasing a licence through the refurb program, installing with the media they provided when you signed up, and affixing the new refurb licence key near the old one (without covering the old one, obscuring it, etc)

Is it different in the US?

I ask you because you specifically stated you were also part of the refurb club.

 

[PCX]

Maybe the laws in Canada are different than the laws in the state.
PCX, tell me something.

Is it legal to sell a used computer without refurbing it?

In Canada, you must "refurbish" a windows PC before selling it by purchasing a licence through the refurb program, installing with the media they provided when you signed up, and affixing the new refurb licence key near the old one (without covering the old one, obscuring it, etc)

Is it different in the US?

I ask you because you specifically stated you were also part of the refurb club.

You can sell a laptop in any condition around here. As long as you specify that it either has a warranty or it is sold as it. You do not have to be an MS refurbisher, I just became one for the Windows 7 Upgrades.

 

[carrcomp]

You can sell a laptop in any condition around here. As long as you specify that it either has a warranty or it is sold as it. You do not have to be an MS refurbisher, I just became one for the Windows 7 Upgrades.

We have weird rules about privacy stuff up here.

Here's what we have to follow in Canada : (sorry if this is long winded)

All of the information below is available without logging in, so it's public info.

*********************
Licenses allowed through refurbisher program :

No COA, not eligible at all.

If they had Windows XP Starter, Vista starter or 7 starter you can refurbish with a 7 starter license.

If they had Windows 95, 98, ME, XP home, Vista Home basic/Premium or 7 Premium, you can use the above licenses plus 7 home.

If they had 2000, XP pro, Vista Business/Ultimate or 7 pro/Ultimate, you can use the licenses above plus 7 pro.

They don't offer Ultimate refurb licenses, at least not to Registered users (lower end)


***************
What is a Refurbished PC?
A refurbished PC is a used PC that has gone through one or more of the following processes that leave the PC ready for use by a new owner:
●● Data wiping
●● Testing
●● Cosmetic repair and/or replacement of defective minor PC components
With respect to operating system licensing, a PC is considered to be a refurbished PC if it has the original motherboard, or a replacement
was made of a defective motherboard with one of exactly the same make, model and specification. Major repairs, such as the installation of
a new model motherboard, results in a “new” PC and not a “refurbished” PC.
When is a new Windows operating system license required and when is one not required?

A new Windows license is not required for a refurbished PC that has:
(1) The original Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for a Windows operating system affixed to the PC, and
(2) The original recovery media or hard-disk based recovery image associated with the PC.
The operating system identified on the original COA indicates the edition of Windows that was originally licensed for that PC and the
refurbisher can use either:
(1) The original recovery media or
(2) The original hard-disk based recovery image to reinstall the operating system software specified on the COA.
If the original recovery media is not present, an end user can contact the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the PC to obtain the
appropriate recovery media for a fee—subject to availability. Second-hand recovery media is sometimes offered for sale by individuals
in various forums and markets. Purchasing media from unknown sources is not recommended as it introduces the risks of copyright
infringement, improper licensing and infected/corrupted or incomplete software.

A new Windows license is required for a refurbished PC if:
(1) The refurbisher cannot obtain the original recovery media or
(2) The PC does not have a hard-disk based recovery image.
The refurbisher must purchase a new Windows license in order to provide the purchaser of the refurbished PC with a genuine, licensed
version of Windows on the PC.

 

[AveryWebServices]

I work in a retail location as the computer repair tech and a large part of my customer base is older people who invested a decent amount of money in a PC and hoped it would last them 10 years. Sadly they are failing, usually the hard drive or power supply.

In the past it was viable to refurbish Prescott P4's with XP. I have a good source for retired machines from businesses, offices and agencies. I'm starting to have more access to modern machines at good prices, that can support a modern OS without $100 worth of memory. Sadly though since many of them are Vista era and are business class they have XP Pro on them.

In a low income market I'm always dealing with competitors that are selling pirated Windows. There are even a few retail shops that I've seen advertising machines that seem fishy to me.

The Pawn Shops around here sell the machine in the same condition it was in when it came in, not even a factory restore. And people still buy them because they think they are getting a good deal on a powerful Windows 7 machine. Half of them end up in my shop with flaky hardware.

I really want to be able to offer refurbished machines to customers at a reasonable price. Sadly XP is going to be at it's end of life to soon for me to recommend purchasing it. I would like to be able to start selling refurbished machines with Windows 7 on them. From some numbers I've seen tossed about it seems like it's obtainable as a Registered Refurbisher.

I don't expect anyone else to divulge prices in this thread, but if anyone who is in the program can answer 2 questions for me I'd be very grateful.

Can I purchase a Windows 7 refurb license for any machine I'm refurbishing to sell? Does the original OS license matter?

How much do you sell a system with specs similiar to a 2.0ghz dual core, 2 GB RAM, 80-160GB hard drive and Windows 7?

Greetings,

If you have yet to receive a suitable reply to this post please allow me to fill you in a little about refurbishing a desktop or laptop.

First and foremost before you will be able to even look at purchasing a refurbished windows 7 license key you must have first filled in the application form to join Microsoft's refurbisher program and been approved by Microsoft.

Secondly, as microsoft is discontinuing support for both XP and Vista those computers must be upgraded to Windows 7 under the refurbisher program. You are not able to buy the refurbished keys for XP or Vista anymore.

The cost to buy 3 keys will depend on your location and who you buy through but you can expect the cost to be close to the $40 per key mark.

Before you ask how I know all of this? I am a certified refurbisher!

If you would like more information about joining the program if you have not already done so please do not hesitate to contact me.

As for you question about how much a dual core 2.0 GHz with 80-160 GB hard drive be worth? That really depends on each person's market and how much you really want to make out of it.

Here in my neck of the woods I have been selling older P4 systems for $100 a piece just for the tower. A dual core that has 2 GB ram and a 160 GB hard drive running between a 2.4 & 3.0 Ghz has been selling for $225 with windows 7 installed.

If I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me!

Regards,
Shawn

 

[Sunita]

I coudn't post a new thread so just replying on this. I need some help to provide software for a small college. They have requested 45 refurbished PCs with Office 2013 and wanted academic license. I couldn't figure out which Microsoft license to offer them. I found Office 365 university license which is licensed per user for 4 years. Is this something they can use on their college PCs? Would anybody be able to provide me some guide what and where to buy office 2013 academic license for a college. thank you.