Replacing FHC computers

What is the policy on replacing computers in the Family History Center? I know the Church replaces Ward computers about every 5 years, but have seen nothing on the FHC equipment.
Along the same lines, each building in our Stake has a Family History classroom, for the Sunday School time course, that has computers and Web access. Those computers are all donated, and some very old. How can we replace them?
Would it be possible to keep old ward computers that are being replaced and recycle them into the FHC and the FH classrooms?
What disc cleaning is required by the Church? I'm guessing there must be some requirement for cleaning MLS harddrives before the computers are disposed of.

E&LDow wrote:What is the policy on replacing computers in the Family History Center? I know the Church replaces Ward computers about every 5 years, but have seen nothing on the FHC equipment.
Along the same lines, each building in our Stake has a Family History classroom, for the Sunday School time course, that has computers and Web access. Those computers are all donated, and some very old. How can we replace them?
Would it be possible to keep old ward computers that are being replaced and recycle them into the FHC and the FH classrooms?
What disc cleaning is required by the Church? I'm guessing there must be some requirement for cleaning MLS harddrives before the computers are disposed of.

All these questions are answered in the Policy and Guidelines for Computers in Family History Centers.

Thanks, I looked, but must have missed it. What's the date of the most current Policy and Guidelines for Computers in FHCs? I may not have a current edition.

E&LDow wrote:Thanks, I looked, but must have missed it. What's the date of the most current Policy and Guidelines for Computers in FHCs? I may not have a current edition.

The current version (the one I linked to) is dated 1 Nov 2008 (which replaces the former 2005 edition).

E&LDow wrote:What is the policy on replacing computers in the Family History Center? I know the Church replaces Ward computers about every 5 years, but have seen nothing on the FHC equipment.

If you're running LANDesk, you may find a cascaded machine showing up on your doorstep. It will include instructions as to which unit it replaces.

E&LDow wrote:Along the same lines, each building in our Stake has a Family History classroom, for the Sunday School time course, that has computers and Web access. Those computers are all donated, and some very old. How can we replace them? Would it be possible to keep old ward computers that are being replaced and recycle them into the FHC and the FH classrooms?

I don't know as there's an official, current policy on that. In that past, that has been allowed to use an administrative computer in a FHC as long as it replaces a computer and is not used to increase the number of computers. Lately, my FM group has told me that they are required to send back a computer for every new one received. But it probably wouldn't be hard to substitute a older one. However, the computers outside of a FHC are unsupported. I'm not sure what options you have there.

E&LDow wrote:What disc cleaning is required by the Church? I'm guessing there must be some requirement for cleaning MLS harddrives before the computers are disposed of.

You can find software for administrative computers at mls.lds.org. Your Stake Technology Specialist should have the ID and password.

RussellHltn wrote:I don't know as there's an official, current policy on that.

The instructions that accompany a new replacement computer from Church headquarters provide disposal instructions for the old computer. The instructions we received with a new Dell Optiplex 740 in April required the old computer to be surrendered to the FM group for return to Church headquarters. I recall something to the effect that those old computers are returned to Dell as part of a recycling program.

E&LDow wrote:[E]ach building in our Stake has a Family History classroom, for the Sunday School time course, that has computers and Web access. Those computers are all donated, and some very old. How can we replace them?

Using old administrative computers is not likely. The difficulty with replacing donated computers with other donated computers is that the donations must not be solicited. That makes it difficult because if you let it be known that you need replacement computers for the older donated computers you are soliciting. The only other alternative to donations is for the unit or stake to purchase.

Edit: The information about soliciting is for official FHCs. So I guess you could solicit for unofficial centers, or family history rooms.

jdlessley wrote:The difficulty with replacing donated computers with other donated computers is that the donations must not be solicited. That makes it difficult because if you let it be known that you need replacement computers for the older donated computers you are soliciting.

I don't remember the source, but IIRC, you can let the "need be known" but you can not ask. I would suggest a careful examination of the guidelines involved.

The hardest part is letting the "need be know" and not ending up in a sea of cast-offs.

Thanks for the good info.
Sad to say, I'm the Stake Tech guy. God's little joke.
We'll see what we can work out.