Refurbishing

The Refurbishing Process Explained: PCF maintains master computers that are cloned (replicated) using USB sticks/Flash Drives These master computers are configured with three different types of users. They include accounts for: Students with added protections Admins (for parents, teachers, adults) PCF admin account (in case Admins forget their password) After the master is set up the way we want it, we make an "image" of it. An image is a compressed file of the entire [...]

There are two ways to "image" (clone) a machine using a PCF USB Installer Flash Drive: Use the script that automates much of the process Perform the steps manually Boot from the USB: Start up your computer from a PCF USB Installer Flash drive. Instructions to do so here » Start up the Terminal application. Double-click the App icon on the Desktop of choose it from the Favorites in the App menu. Use the Automated [...]

If your computer's fan sounds like it is going on full blast but your computer is not starting up, please try the following: Unplug your computer Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds (to drain the battery completely) plug everything back in and try again Leave the system on for up to an hour. Sometimes it is going through a series of diagnostic tests and may come up normal upon completion.  

If your computer beeps (1 beep-3-4-3) but doesn't boot then this is often a memory related issue. Please try the following: Unplug the power cord Remove the memory chips from the machine Make sure they are the same size and speed and inserted into the right slots (blue before green and typically inside before outside ordering). Start with one stick. Repeat these steps to add another Often times just removing the memory and reinserting them [...]

To specify the drive you wish to boot from or to access the BIOS screen, repeatedly press the appropriate Function key immediately after turning on the computer. The Function Key to use/press depends on your computer brand/model. ASUS (most models) ESC to enter boot menu (choose pmap for USB). Delete or F2 to enter BIOS. Dell (most models) F12 for Boot menu. F2 or F10 for BIOS. HP (most models) F9 for boot. ESC or [...]