Computer For You
THIS FREE COMPUTER PROGRAM HAS COME TO AN END, AND WE ARE NO LONGER OFFERING COMPUTERS OR APPOINTMENTS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
This website will be updated shortly to provide ongoing information regarding instructions, warranty support, and resources for people who received computers.
This website will be updated shortly to provide ongoing information regarding instructions, warranty support, and resources for people who received computers.
Montgomery Connects – Computer For You
Please click HERE to change the language for the following information
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Do I Find or Create a Library Card Number?
If you have not used your library card in the past two years, it may have been deactivated. You can create a new digital library card here if your card has been deactivated or you cannot find it or you need a first time digital library card. Here are instructions in English or in Spanish to create a digital library card.
How Do I Create an Email Account?
Follow these instructions in English or in Spanish to create an email account.
What type of computer is it?
The computers are Dell 3100, 14” laptop with an 11” touchscreen that folds over and be used as a tablet. The computers do not include software (e.g., Word, Excel) but you may download free versions at Office for Web (formerly Office 365), or get free Google products here.
How Can I Activate my Chromebook?
You must have or create a Google account (which is different from a Google Gmail address or other email). Instructions are available here in English and here in Spanish.
Does the Chromebook come with tech support or software?
No, Montgomery County does not provide any tech support or software for loaned computers. The computer does not come with anti-virus protection. It is a Google Chromebook and will automatically load computer updates for you to help protect the computer.
Is my new Chromebook mine forever?
The federal grant providing funding to purchase these computers requires Montgomery County to own the computer for 3 years. You may keep possession of the computer for your own use. County regulations will govern what happens to the loaned computer after 3 years, but the County does not intend to request the return of the devices. You must report damaged, lost, or stolen computers to [email protected] and the County will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to repair or replace damaged or lost and stolen devices. If the loaned computer is returned to the County, the computer will be wiped clean of all data and the County has no responsibility to protect or recover removed data. IF YOU ATTEMPT TO SELL THE LOANED COMPUTER WHILE THE COUNTY OWNS IT, OR ATTEMPT TO RECEIVE MORE ONE COMPUTER PER PERSON, THE COUNTY MAY USE YOUR INFORMATION TO RECOVER COMPUTERS OR TAKE ACTION AGAINST YOU.
What if my Chromebook is damaged, lost, or stolen?
Only one Chromebook will be provided per person. If it is lost or stolen, no replacement will be provided. You are responsible to repair any damaged device. Your Chromebook comes with a 365 day [or 1 year] manufacturer’s warranty. After you receive the device, we provide the email and phone number you provided to us to the manufacturer.
How do I access the warranty on my Chromebook?
You can access the warranty by going to the support website for Dell and typing in the service tag or serial number in the search bar. You can find the service tag on the bottom of your device. Click on “Review Services” then click on “Contact Us” to initiate a claim about your damaged device.
How Do I set up my Chromebook?
Here are basic instructions on how to use a Chromebook, install Zoom, or set up email. Maryland offers help at www.MarylandersOnline.umd.edu or you can call to get help in English and Spanish at 301-405-9810 from 10am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays.
How Can I Get Help to Learn How to Use My Chromebook?
Marylanders Online Call Center provides FREE one-on-one tech support to any Maryland resident who needs help. This Call Center is operated by the University of Maryland Extension (UME). They provide free tech support in English, Spanish, and other languages upon request.
You can get help at https://marylandersonline.umd.edu/get-help/learn-my-own, or go to the main page, go to the “Get Help” section, choose “Learn on my own” and select what you are interested in learning, or you can call the Marylanders Hotline for help in English and Spanish at 301-405-9810 from 10am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays.
Montgomery County also offers in-person and online technology training courses for people 50 years and older through the Senior Planet Montgomery program in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. You can learn to use a computer, email, the internet, and more. At the top of the Senior Planet webpage, under “Resources” you can find technology training videos and information, or you can call the Senior Planet help line at 888-713-3495.
Why do you need my personal information? How will it be used?
- The County is required to maintain a record of your name, the computer provided to you (serial number, make and model), your certification that you would not have the computer for your educational needs if the County did not provide you a computer, and dates when the computers are provided, returned, reported damages, or stolen.
- The County does not sell your data.
- The County asks about the devices you own, benefit programs you may be enrolled in, as well as age, ethnicity, and gender to better understand the population receiving these devices.
- Your address is used to verify your eligibility and to understand how well computers are being distributed to areas of Montgomery County with the most need for computers (based on Census and similar statistical data).
- Your reported income may be used to prioritize distribution of computers to lower income residents.
- The County does not report individually identifiable data to other agencies (meaning, for example, we do not report your individual income to any other agency, but we may report the percentage of recipients with household incomes in a specific range).
- The County reserves the right to email information about other digital equity technology training programs to computer recipients and use program demographic data to apply for more digital equity grants.
Important Additional Information
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO RECORDING MAY TAKE PLACE AT EVENTS. Security cameras may be in use at event locations. Computer distributions are public events without an expectation of privacy. Montgomery County, and its officers, employees, and agents, and other organizations may take photographs, video or digital recordings of adults and minor children attending the event. By attending this event, you consent to use of these photographs and recordings in any and all media, for the purpose of promoting awareness of digital equity programs and the work of Montgomery County. If you provide your name and identity to a photographer, videographer, reporter, producer, or similar person, your name and identity may be revealed in media or by descriptive text or commentary. By attending this event, you assign Montgomery County and the above-named entities all rights to exhibit this work in print or electronic form publicly or privately and to use the images and sounds; you waive any rights, claims, or interest you may have to control the use of your identity or likeness in whatever media is gathered during this event; you release and forever discharge Montgomery County, its officers, assigns, agents, and employees from every claim, demand, damage, right or cause of action of whatever kind or nature which is related to the acquisition and use of the photographs and recordings. You understand that there will be no financial or other remuneration for recording you or your children, either for the initial or for any subsequent publication, transmission, or playback. IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR PHOTO TAKEN FOR PUBLICITY PURPOSES, PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN YOU CHECK-IN at the event.
The Montgomery Connects Computer for You Program is administered and managed by the Department of Technology & Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS), Office of Broadband Programs (OBP). Montgomery Connects includes many different digital equity and inclusion programs offered by TEBS. Please contact us at [email protected] for additional information.
The purpose of the Computer for You Program is to provide laptop computers to residents who do not have access to a computer at home. Montgomery County, in partnership with Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), received a federal Emergency Connectivity Fund to purchase 100,000 computers. The federal grant is a Covid-response which built upon the federal E-rate program providing funding to schools and libraries for internet, equipment, and computers, by providing funding for students and library patrons to receive computers for use at home (school and library Wi-Fi and computers could not be accessed during Covid-closures). Montgomery Connects requires computer recipients to have a Montgomery County library card because the federal grant is through MCPL, and because there are many free training programs and resources available to computer recipients with an MCPL library card. The grant funds up to $400 per computer and specifically prohibits the County from using grant funds to purchase software, cases, and other peripherals.
