No Serial Number and Crazy Console Log. Is this Mac Gubbed?

Question

No Serial Number and Crazy Console Log. Is this Mac Gubbed?

Hello,

So, I bought a mid-2011 iMac off Ebay. It's in great condition and was used in Home Office.

The seller I've spoke to many times and I believe what she has told me. No servicing from new.

Erased and re-installed High Sierra. Everything seemed okay but me being me I poked around a bit.

I first noticed the lack of a serial number when I ran the hardware test. Odd I thought and after looking about on here it made me check Console Log to see if it was affecting anything on the computer and sure enough it goes mental with <private> messages. It's pumping out thousands of messages of every kind. Are the <private> ones because of the not available serial number? And the others, is there normally this many?

I can actually screenshot with this computer so I will do some now.

If you need anything else please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

J.

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.13

Posted on Oct 21, 2019 4:38 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Level 9

61,856 points

Oct 21, 2019 10:57 PM in response to James Phoenix

James Phoenix wrote:

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

I've been reading about it causing issues with iMessage, FaceTime, iCloud and others.

A possibility, but I don't know.

I installed a VPN into the system and the log was flying along. It had 34,555 messages in the space of 2 hours!\

Some were errors, surely this makes this computer unsecure?

If I'd wanted unsecure I could have continued to use my 2006 iMac!

As I said previously, the Console logs are virtually worthless. They are full of junk even from Apple's own software. The developers leave the debug messages on which can easily fill the logs with entries and many of them can look like error messages or even utter non-sense. Most of the contributors on these forums no longer use the Apple logs for troubleshooting purposes. Apple has ruined the Console logs as a viable means of troubleshooting macOS. I see tons of "messages" fly by while the computer is just sitting there.

Do you know If I open it up, is there the same foil tape and stuff inside? If it has been serviced that will not be like new?

No.

Just the fact that it's not in the machine.

I mean for the warranty they would need to register it and surely Apples system would have brought that fact up and not let them register. The couple i spoke with say they bought it new from Apple, it's been in their home office and it's never gave them any trouble. And I believe them.

Most people never take the time to register their products. The only way you might be able to resolve this is by having the previous owner take the computer to an Apple Store or an AASP along with their original proof of purchase which includes a system serial number so Apple or an AASP can update the system serial number on the Logic Board. Even with a valid proof of purchase there is no guarantee Apple or an AASP will update the serial number on the Logic Board. Otherwise get your money back or live with it as this is one of the risks of buying used items sight unseen.

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Answer 2

Oct 22, 2019 1:55 AM in response to HWTech

Okay thanks,

I thought about the non-registering thing and it could happen. The woman says she'll get her husband to call me when he gets back on Wednesday and he knows more about the computers they have. On the eBay listing she did state that is was a little slow but I find it works okay. **** me for looking into Console!

Okay one more thing. I read on here that 'Coconut Battery' can bring up your SN and if it doesn't it means that it's not a software related problem. So I ran it and:

So do you know what it means if it can't bring up that information.

I've never heard of it before so I've no clue.

Thanks so far. I'd be lost without these places..... and ifixit.com!

J.

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

145,288 points

Oct 21, 2019 6:21 PM in response to James Phoenix

Well I can't say what happened however I can say I would NEVER EVER buy any computer off of E-Bay. If you want to buy a used Mac always use a reputable reseller or even better buy from Apple, they sell Apple refurbished Macs that are great!

You can check the SN on the bottom of the stand and then take ti to your local Apple Store to verify the SN is correct. If it is not then who knows what you bought.

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Answer 4

Oct 21, 2019 6:53 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Okay. Very good.

Y'know what? Forget the refurbs. I could buy a brand new one, yeah maybe even wait till the new Pro comes out, buy a 6K screen, **** get two! Couple Thousand quid stands and cram it all into my Maserati and drive to my Lochside home.

The serial number on the bottom matches the original box it came in.

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Answer 5

HWTech

Level 9

61,856 points

Oct 21, 2019 9:08 PM in response to James Phoenix

We've seen a few systems without a serial number which also have never been serviced, although it is rare. Only Apple will be able to tell you if the unit was ever officially serviced by an Apple Store or an AASP. However, if someone else unofficially repaired it, then there will be no official record.

As for the private messages, these are normal. The Console logs in recent versions of macOS are virtually worthless these days. I only reference them when I'm desperate.

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Answer 6

Oct 21, 2019 10:17 PM in response to HWTech

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

I've been reading about it causing issues with iMessage, FaceTime, iCloud and others.

I installed a VPN into the system and the log was flying along. It had 34,555 messages in the space of 2 hours!\

Some were errors, surely this makes this computer unsecure?

If I'd wanted unsecure I could have continued to use my 2006 iMac!

Do you know If I open it up, is there the same foil tape and stuff inside? If it has been serviced that will not be like new?

Cheers.

Reply

Answer 7

Oct 21, 2019 10:27 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Just the fact that it's not in the machine.

I mean for the warranty they would need to register it and surely Apples system would have brought that fact up and not let them register. The couple i spoke with say they bought it new from Apple, it's been in their home office and it's never gave them any trouble. And I believe them. Call me naive but the woman doesn't come across as a liar.

And it was collection only on eBay which meant hardly any bids, 3 including mine, so I got it dirt cheap plus I sent UPS to collect which the woman was happy to print off the label for me and be in for collection.

I just would like to know the chances of it not being in the computer since new? Rare okay, so it does happen?

Cheers.

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Answer 8

HWTech

Level 9

61,856 points

Oct 22, 2019 11:54 AM in response to James Phoenix

James Phoenix wrote:

Okay thanks,

**** me for looking into Console!

It is a shame Apple ruined a useful diagnostic tool.

Okay one more thing. I read on here that 'Coconut Battery' can bring up your SN and if it doesn't it means that it's not a software related problem. So I ran it and:

I've never used Coconut Battery, but if the Apple System Profiler and "About this Mac" don't show the system serial number, then the serial number was not flashed to the Logic Board.