Hey Electricians! Help me!

[DmnStr8]

I just moved into a new apartment. AFter getting all my stuff in there I realised that only two outlets in the entire place are three pronged outlets (Other than the GFCI's that are near the sinks in the kitchen and baths).

I was wondering what I could do about converting some 2 pronged sockets over to three pronged ones, safely. I took apart one outlet (with the power off of course) to check if there was a ground wire. What I found were 2 pairs of wires entering outlet box. Each containing a white (neutral), black(hot), and a bare copper wire. The two copper wires were pigtailed together. These pairs enter the box seperatly from each other (one of the right and one on the left) The cable does not enter the box, just the uncovered wires. So I am not sure if the bare copper wires are the cables ground wires, if it has any at all.

I'm guessing that the copper wires are ground wires and that I should be able to safely change the outlets over. Thoughts? Is there a way that I can verify that these wires are grounded? If not what can I do? I really need more three prong outlets inorder to setup my computer and AC, etc.

I figure tomorrow I will examine one of the three pronged outlets that are already there and see if that is what they are using for a ground.

[Rew]

I would call the apartment maintaince people. If that don't get action I would call code enforcement. However if you don't want to do that, do you have a multi meter? Check for contanuty (sp?) between one of the white wires and the bare wire If you get a reading the bare wire is a ground wire if no reading it is just an extra wire. If you don't have a multi meter, remove both white wires and replace them with the bare wires and turn the power back on, see if you have juice at the outlet. If you do then yes the bare wire is being used as a ground as it should be if not then it's not being used and is illegal. Or just replace the plug with a 3 prong one and don't worry about the ground. :)