Free PC Clinic

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Free PC Clinic A Practical Experience
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Presented by June West, InstructorComputer
Technology DepartmentDirector, Free PC
ClinicCoffee Shop ManagerSpartanburg Community
CollegeSpartanburg, SC
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Project Description

• In 2004, a need was identified to provide
  experience for the students in the Computer
  Technology programs at SCC
• Most students had no experience in the IT field
• Willing to volunteer time to get experience

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Goals of the Free PC Clinic

• Two major goals developed
• To provide students with practical, volunteer
  experience working on users computers
• To provide a much-needed service to the community

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Student Objectives

• Build a foundation for troubleshooting PCs
• Enhance that foundation by giving an opportunity
  to demonstrate knowledge and skills
• Build confidence in the students ability to
  perform tasks efficiently and effectively

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Student Objectives (Continued)

• Students learn first-hand how to diagnose and
  repair personal computers
• Students learn the differences/similarities in
  working on desktops and laptops
• Provide students exposure to the Macintosh
  environment
• Challenge students with other technology devices

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Student Objectives (Continued)

• Broaden students knowledge about working on
  legacy systems
• Build soft skills through interaction with
  community-at-large

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In the beginning . . .

• Initiated by a former faculty member
• Students designed a logo
• Students developed the slogan Well work on your
  PC for free while we get our degree.

Free PC Clinic T-Shirt
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In the beginning . . . (continued)

• Offered seven Saturdays during the academic year
  on one existing campus
• Paperwork
• Students attend on a voluntary basis
• Totally free no donations or payments
• Held in an electronics lab
• Limited troubleshooting tools
• No internet access
• Coordination among security, room scheduling, and
  maintenance

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Today . . .

• Moved to the hardware lab on Central Campus
• Rotate among all three campuses
• Donations graciously accepted
• Large selection of troubleshooting tools

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Management of Clinic

• The SCC Technology Club
• Monthly meetings
• Upcoming PC Clinic setup/preparation
• 5.00 dues almost covers cost of t-shirt
• Other participants
• At least one instructor
• One Macintosh expert
• At least one A certified technician
• Graduates continue to participate

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Financial Support

• The department head provides minimal funds
• Purchases supplies
• Lunch for the student technicians
• T-shirts for the participating students/instructor
  s
• Donations accepted
• The donated funds have helped to purchase
  additional equipment, supplies, food and t-shirts

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Marketing

• Flyers distributed to all faculty and staff and
  posted on the bulletin boards
• Most advertising comes by word of mouth
• Expanded to advertise on other campuses
• Cherokee County Campus, Gaffney, SC
• Spotlighted the Clinic on the radio during
  halftime at the local football game
• Tyger River Campus, Duncan, SC
• First Clinic had four clients

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Marketing (continued)

• Clinic dates sent to multiple community calendars
• Featured in several news releases to area
  newspapers
• Featured on the local news
• Appears on the local news channel website, along
  with the SCC website home page and the SCC
  Student Web Portal.
• Invited to appear on The Bill Drake Show, one of
  the most-listened-to radio talk shows in our area
  

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Student Participation

• First-time participation
• Dependability
• Planning
• Primary incentive is work experience

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Project Implementation

• College very supportive
• Advertisements displayed on each of the three
  campuses
• Dates set and rooms scheduled well in advance
• Clinic supported by employees/students
• Employees/students pass along information to
  family and friends

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A Typical Day . . .

• Held on a Saturday from 1200noon until 400pm
• First-come, first-served basis
• Receptionist

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A Typical Day . . . continued

• Problem analysis
• Technician assignments
• Initial diagnosis
• Consult with instructor
• Problem resolution
• Sign-off approval by A certified technician
• Client evaluation

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Students in Action
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Typical Problems

• About 85 of the problems related to viruses and
  spyware.
• Slow-running computers due to a lapse of regular
  maintenance.
• Non-functional machines
• The Clinic provides CD that includes free
  software, along with instructions on how to
  maintain PC

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Other issues -- Hardware

• Hardware
• Crashed hard drives
• Non-functional devices
• Internet access difficulties
• The technician may suggest what the client needs
  to purchase we do not provide any free hardware
• The technician will replace the hardware item for
  the client and test it

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Other Issues -- Software

• Operating system failure
• Client must have their own software available
• We do not provide copies of any licensed software
• We do not crack key codes to install software
• Use the Recovery Console
• Use of DOS commands
• Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP, and Windows
  Vista
• More issues arising with Vista

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Benefits to Students

• Ability to develop good customer service skills
• Experience a wide variety of PC problems which
  increases their knowledge base
• Learn to research the Internet for solutions to
  unknown issues

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Benefits to Clients

• Free computer service which might normally cost a
  minimum of 100
• A free consultation on how to resolve minor
  issues in the future
• Free tools to help them maintain their PC

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Client Comments A Sampling

• Will most definitely come back if there is
  another PC Clinic
• GOOD JOB! Thank you.
• Great students!
• I learned some things, because I had no clue
  about computers
• Thank you for the service to the community. It is
  really a big savings!
• Thank you for providing this service to the
  community. This clinic is a win/win for both
  myself and the technician.
• Very courteous knowledgeable

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Reward for Hard Work!

• Placed third in State Competition
• 14 projects submitted from around the State
• Two students attended recognition luncheon
• Plaque awarded, along with 100 prize

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Alex Peterson, PC Clinic Student
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Summary

• Hours and dedication commendable
• Many students come to each and every Clinic
  others come when they can
• Rearrange work schedules take time off without
  pay
• Come early leave late
• Persistence and perseverance

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Summary (continued)

• Receptionist
• Volunteers time
• Manages paperwork
• Entertains waiting clients
• Security guards
• Maintenance/Building Crew

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Acknowledgements

• Marcia Schenck Department Head
• Cyndi Bailey -- Receptionist
• Terry Richburg -- Instructor
• Lead Technicians

Robert Eyler Chris Jurgensen
Alex Peterson Herb McLaughlin
Barry Dover Patrick Cradit
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CONTACT INFORMATION

• June West
• westj_at_sccsc.edu
• 864-592-4864