About to buy a used iBook - What tests should I run?

LABachlr

LABachlr

Registered
I am about to buy a use iBook and was wondering if there were a program out there that I could run to make sure that the computer is running up to par.

Here are the specs:

iBook G4
800 MHz
256MB RAM
30GB HD
OS X - Panther

Also, what things should I check during the "pre-purchase inspection?"

Thanks.
 
Here are some 'Kick the tires' steps:

1. Make sure it boots up!
2. Check to see if the screen has any bad pixels.
3. Check the "About this Mac" and look at all the hardware settings.
4. Make sure to outer shell is not dented or scatched up, including the screen.
5. Compare the asking price to some on eBay or SmallDog for the same/similar iBook specs.
6. Also, see if it has any AppleCare left on it.
7. Don't make a split second decision. Sleep on it for a day or two.
 
check the serial number against the apple extension of logic board warrantee and the original purchase date. The extension is until this December or three years from original purchase date.

My iBook just died due to the dreaded "design flaw" but I still love the machine - and the warrantee extension. I have heard that newer serial numbers than those on the list have fixed the problem.
 
Thanks for the heads up on the logic board design flaw. I checked it out and found out that mine is one of the first ones (I'm guessing based on the serial #) that has the corrected logic board, as the serial number range for eligible iBooks is UV117XXXXXX to UV342XXXXXX, and my serial starts with UV345. :D
 
If you have a copy of TechTool Pro 4, run the full test suite. That will test all the major hardware components for proper operation and if you choose the Advanced Suites option it will even run a surface scan of the HD.

Also be sure you are getting the full set of CDs that originally came with the iBook including the Apple Hardware Test CD and the retail Panther install CDs (the black CDs that say Version 10.3) and not the upgrade CDs. The upgrade CDs are IMHO evil.
 
Also, just ask the seller about any problems. And watch his body language while he's lying. ;)
 
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