elgraso

Q: How to Test Old Mac Before Selling?

I am selling some old Apple computers that have been collecting dust in the office warehouse. I have found different models that go for $50-$100 on ebay. I will be able to wipe the drive and have a fresh OSX install on them, but how do I test that they are running fine otherwise?

I don't want to sell some one a lemon and have an angry buyer on my hands.

 

Is there a diagnostics check I can use, similar to the Apple Store genius bar?

What do people do when they sell older computers like this? Or do most people sell them without even worrying about these things?

 

Let me know. I don't want to screw someone over with a computer that has some problem I didn't notice.

Posted on Jan 16, 2015 4:21 PM

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Q: How to Test Old Mac Before Selling?

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  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jan 16, 2015 4:59 PM in response to elgraso
    Level 5 (7,714 points)
    Notebooks
    Jan 16, 2015 4:59 PM in response to elgraso

    Apple hardware test shipped on the original grey installer disks - if you have them read the tiny text, one disk have give instructions for the startup keys.

     

    You may also use this list to find the version & download AHT from Apple…

    https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest

    Burn them to a CD (via Disk Utility & it can be used to boot the test). Run extended test repeatedly to see if it dies when hot.

     

    Apple Hardware Test ins't perfect - it can report errors for no good reason & can miss others, just note any error strings & google it.

     

    Once a Mac gets past a few years the only way to tell is to set it up & run it for a few days, it may be more work than you want to do, sadly some bugs only show up when you work for a few hours.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jan 18, 2015 5:57 PM in response to elgraso
    Level 6 (14,451 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 18, 2015 5:57 PM in response to elgraso

    Some older Macs have a small battery on the logic board that helps a

    micro processor store certain system information, the PRAM battery

    or clock battery, as some refer the cell. This should be replaced in the

    chance some new user may find the time and system messed up or if

    the computer will not start up correctly. This battery may vary across

    several models, so you may need to research computers to match part.

     

    To be able to include system install-restore disc media of the correct

    kind and type for each model is expected; getting this may be difficult

    since you cannot necessarily or easily acquire replacement lost discs.

     

    A call to Apple support or applecare with each computer serial number

    and build model, may be helpful to determine if they may still have any

    appropriate replacement install restore discs, available. If not, then a

    wider search for good, used, system discs. These may be retail and

    of the last supported OS X version system install discs for each Mac.

     

    Amazon, ebay, used computer stores, craigslist, moving sales, university

    or school rummage sales, or local Apple user groups, may be helpful.

    Sources online also may include fluke or off-hand pure luck findings.

     

    If you install a new system from an install DVD, for test purposes, do not

    personalize the installation; give the main admin user an anonymous

    name and other fiction, so personal info is  not tied to the computer...

     

    If need be, for demonstration purposes, you could temporarily install a

    system into more than one old computer to test the hardware function.

    The software end user license implies each computer is required to

    have its own install DVD for the system installed within it. Proof is the

    disc itself, in cases where older computers use install DVD/CD media.

     

    The github access to these hardware tests and other old manuals that

    can be of great help to those attempting to assist others use obsolete

    Mac hardware + old software, is a resource that is generally unavailable.

     

    Hopefully you have no trouble in testing, restoring these for re-use.

    Good luck & happy computing!