By Rachel Richmond July, 2002

Computer magic

With a little help from his friends, this hightech
"Wizard" is turning trash into treasure

Warren Harris had
two goals in mind
when he began to
collect and refurbish
unwanted computer
equipment -- to get
usable computers
and printers into
the hands of families
that needed them
most and to keep
those same computers
from filling up area
landfills. In June, he
and fellow computer
aficionados reclaimed
and redistributed 15
systems to needy families.

Program seeking nonprofit status with 501(c)(3)

Warren Harris, owner of Plano-based The Computer Wizard, works his magic at helping out in the community.

Harris, a 10-year veteran of the computer industry, reconditions and redistributes used computers to families in need throughout Plano and surrounding communities.

"My goal is to donate these computers to families who need them and to keep computers out of landfills. We are recycling computers and helping people. Therefore, everybody wins," said Harris.

Harris donates computers to families recommended by school teachers/personnel, churches and charities.

"We like to meet with and give the computer to the family personally to make sure the computer is going to be used," said Harris.

In May, Geegee Thorn, a teacher and mentor with the HOSTS (Help One Student to Succeed) program at Mendenhall Elementary School, recommended three students to receive reconditioned computers.

Thorn began "Compugift," a similar program to The Computer Wizard’s. "Compugift" collects donated computers, reconditions them and donates the refurbished computers to Mendenhall students.

Teachers and administrators recommend children and then their name is entered into a drawing.

"I saw an article in the newspaper about the (Harris) program. So, I approached him with Compugift," said Thorn.

The Computer Wizard’s 1,200-square-foot facility is literally over-flowing with donated computers.

"Parkway Bank is offering more room for computer storage until we can get them up and running," said Harris.

F. Howard Manning, president and CEO of Parkway Bank in Plano, said he would assist Harris in computer storage.

"Warren has been a client of mine for years and I have used him for computer service and repair. I said I would be glad to help," said Manning.

So far, Harris and his staff of four have reconditioned, refurbished and donated fifteen computers to needy families and community organizations.

"We reinstall all programs from scratch. Everything is deleted from the hard drive in order to protect our donors," said Harris.

Harris also has outside assistance of other businesses to help the reconditioning process of the donated computers and to provide services to the recipients.

Bill Hays, president of Qualitech Repair Solutions, Inc. in Plano, assists Harris by rebuilding printers.

"I know Warren through the Plano Chamber of Commerce. We share customers and are friendly competitors," said Hays.

Qualitech provides network, desktop and logistics services, as well as hardware support and asset management.

Nathalie Propes, an authorized franchisee of Computer Moms®, is offering two-hour sessions of computer skills tutoring to each of the receiving families.

"I will give one session to get them started and to see what level they are at," said Propes.

Computer Moms® provides hands-on computer training and support service to customers in their home or office.

Harris majored in electronics at the College of the Redwoods in California. He opened Harris Computer Solutions in July 1994 in the San Francisco Bay area, then relocated to Plano in 2000.

Before opening Harris Computer Solutions, Harris worked for 3 years as a technical product specialist for Symantec Corporation in California. He also worked for 20 years in the recording industry as an independent recording engineer and technician.

Harris plans to continue his efforts to recycle computers and provide equipment to Plano families. He has begun applying for 501(c)(3) tax status. This will allow individuals and businesses to claim tax deductions for their donations.

The Computer Wizard's
Warren Harris (right)
and colleague Mike
Mulligan plot their
strategy for the repair of
a recently donated
computer.

The Computer Wizard provides on-site computer consulting, troubleshooting and tutoring services for residential, commercial and small office/home office customers. Harris’ business also builds new customized computer systems and provides network design, wiring and administration for networks of all sizes.

The Computer Wizard accepts all PC donations, but prefers functional systems. Nonfunctioning PCs will be broken down into separate parts and sold to purchase needed equipment.

In addition to accepting cash donations, The Computer Wizard holds "yard sales" where surplus and noncompatible computers and parts are sold to raise funds to purchase needed components and supplies.

Donations may be taken to The Computer Wizard, 2804 Regal Road, Suite 105 in Plano during business hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday

9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon. Pickup can be arranged for large donations. For more information, please call 972-781-0011 or logon to www.thecomputerwizard.biz.

Rachel Richmond is a senior journalism student at Texas Tech University and summer intern with Plano Profile.