A short text I wrote: What to do when getting a new used Mac

[garirry]

Hello everyone!

A few weeks ago, I wrote a short text that is made specifically to guide people who bought a used Mac to clean it, repair it, and make it almost brand new. There could be a few things that are missing or wrong, but here's the text:

WHAT TO DO WHEN I GET A NEW MAC

• If it has an OS installed:
• - Check its specs and determine the model.
• Reset the PRAM and reset the SMC or PMU.
• Determine which OS is the best:
• - Latest IF the CPU clock speed is at least somewhat higher than the required one and the RAM is preferably higher than the minimum.
• - Previous-to-Latest IF the CPU clock speed does not reach the minimum or if the RAM is too low.
• - Never ever install a system OS higher than the official requirement because it'll run like ****.
• (a few examples: iMac G4 1.25GHz w/ 512MB RAM: 10.4 would run best, but 10.5 would work as well, but it is preferable to upgrade the RAM first (see below))
• (iBook G3 Clamshell 300MHz w/ 96MB RAM: Definitely Mac OS 9. 10.2 would "run" on this, but will be really slow, so it is still best to up the RAM)
• (PowerMac G5 2GHz w/768MB RAM: This computer is so powerful there is zero need to run a version older than 10.5. Still, a mem upgrade may be preferable)
• (MacBook Early 2008 2.1GHz w/ 2GB RAM: Considering this is a modern and quite useable computer, 10.7 is the best solution, even though there will be slowdown and lag. Trying to force 10.8 or higher will most likely be a stupid idea, and won't be worth it. 10.6 if performance is more important than compatibility.)
• Install the selected OS.
• - Format the hard drive, verify for problems, and if possible, do a secure erase.
• Go through the entire update process; if available, directly update all software from Apple, if not, download files directly from their website (Combo updates, security updates, Safari updates, iTunes, etc.)
• Customize settings pretty much.
• Install programs such as iLife, iWork/Office, TenFourFox, etc.
• - Latest compatible version is preferable. Even if specs don't really match, it doesn't really matter as they're simple programs.
• Test all components, the keyboard, camera/mic (if applicable), display, backlight, speakers, disc drive, all ports, etc. etc.
• Perform full battery test; charge and discharge the battery multiple times, and determine how long it lasts.
• Consider and perform physical upgrades:
• - If battery is too weak or dead, it is best to buy a new one, if possible.
• - Upgrade the RAM to pretty much the max or near-max possible.
• - In certain conditions, the hard drive may be used or dead and thus might be best to be replaced.
• - - If that happens, you will need to re-do all software-based steps. Restoring from a CCC, SuperDuper, or Time Machine backup can make the process easier.
• - If possible, clean the fans and re-apply thermal paste.
• - Install Airport card if it isn't already.
• - Clean the entire computer overall.
• That's about it. Enjoy.

Tell me what you think and what there is to improve if there is anything.

 

[flyrod]

Seems pretty complete. If an order is implied, I'd move cleaning closer to the top. I've seen some pretty nasty used computers. Keyboards in general are disgusting.

 

[LightBulbFun]

Id Just like to point out that Some later releases of OS X will run faster then older OS X releases of OS X on the same hardware for example Lion was a quite a hog, I have a late 2006 blackbook that runs mountain lion much better then it does Lion... or for example 10.4 is faster on my G3 beige then 10.2 on the same machine (or 10.1 for that matter) the early OS X releases are quite slow, speed started to get good in 10.2 and peaked at 10.4 before leopard and its eye candy galore LOL

 

[Surrat]

Cleaning should be nearly the first thing you do, and very important to remove the PSU and clean it out. Being in the bottom of the case is the worst place, they suck up floor dust and lint, and are sometimes 95% clogged with dust bunnies. Taking them out is a pain, but necessary.

 

[bunnspecial]

One comment I'll add with regard to not running an older OS than the most current one it will run:

There are situations where running an older OS is preferable or possibly necessary. A good example is if one needs to run OS 9 programs on a G5-in this case, Tiger(or earlier) is mandatory as Leopard dropped support for Classic mode. Similarly, if one wants to run PPC programs on an Intel Mac, Snow Leopard or earlier is mandatory for Rosetta.

 

[garirry]

Hello, I updated the text. Here's the new version. Thanks for your comments.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET A NEW MAC (In order, read all carefully!)

• If it has an OS installed:
  • Check its specs and determine the model. This is for your own information, if you think you'll forget it, write it down somewhere
  • Otherwise, SKIP the next THREE steps and return to them later.
• Test all components, the keyboard, camera/mic (if applicable), display, backlight, speakers, disc drive, all ports, etc. etc.
  • Perform full battery test; charge and discharge the battery multiple times, and determine how long it lasts.
  • Clean the keyboard if possible, since those can be very dirty and disgusting.
• Consider and perform physical upgrades/cleaning (some can be skipped if you cannot perform this, but it is best to return to it):
  • If battery is too weak (if it can't hold a charge for at least 30 minutes) or dead, buy a new one. Also buy one if it doesn't hold a charge long enough for what you're using (keep in mind older batteries don't work for more than 3-4 hours max).
  • Upgrade the RAM to pretty much the max or near-max (question of priority, if there is a 1 GB stick in a slot while it can handle a 1.5 GB stick (not sure if that even exists), it's probably not worth changing it).
  • In certain conditions, the hard drive may be used or dead and thus might be best to be replaced. If you have trouble backing up, transferring files, installing software, or the operating system crashes or freezes, there are chances that the hard drive might be near death and you should try and diagnose it, and preferably replace it.
    • Note that if you had to reinstall/install an OS because you couldn't get information on your system, you will need to reinstall the software then. Restoring from a CCC, SuperDuper, or Time Machine backup (10.5+) can make the process easier, but I wouldn't recommend if the previous hard drive was potentially damaged.
  • Clean all fans and preferably clean the entire inside of the computer, as things like excessive dust can block fans and cause overheating. Also, remove the CPU/GPU heatsink and re-apply thermal paste, obviously cleaning the previous paste (if applicable).
  • Install Airport/Airport Express card if it isn't already (it's optional on most PPC macs, but included in most later Intel macs)
• Clean the entire computer; if you have a really old computer, removing the yellowing might be a good choice. Clean the exterior of the computer to make it as close to brand new as it can be. Obviously, scratches and cracks aren't removable, but if it's severe, it's best to replace the casing.
• Reset the PRAM or NVRAM and reset the SMC or PMU.
• Determine which OS is the best:
  • Most of the time, you're best off installing the maximum system your computer is compatible with, unless you have the bare minimum specs for the OS install.
  • Unless for "just for fun", it is sometimes best to use a slightly older OS, due to sometimes better performance, especially if your processor speed is too low (bare minimum) or you couldn't upgrade the RAM enough. It is mostly apparent in the PPC G4 world, where 10.5 is much more hungry than its predecessor, and can be slow even on high-end G4 computers. 10.4 is much better for performance.
  • There are, however, rare occasions where a newer OS simply runs better than the predecessor no matter what. Some examples include 10.8 over 10.7, 10.6 over 10.5, and 10.4 over 10.3. Occasionally, installing an unsupported OS may be a good choice.
• Install the selected OS.
  • Format the hard drive, verify for problems, and if possible, do a secure erase. If you're planning to change the hard drive, simply format it and do nothing else.
• If it didn't have an OS installed, return to step one for determining specs and cleaning. Then skip the OS installation part if you didn't change the hard drive.
• Go through the entire update process; if available, directly update all software from Apple, if not, download files directly from their website (Combo updates, security updates, Safari updates, iTunes, etc.)
• Customize settings pretty much. Tweaking the system to run better on some hardware is a good choice.
• Install programs such as iLife, iWork/Office, TenFourFox, etc.
  • Latest compatible version is preferable. Even if specs don't really match, it doesn't really matter as they're simple programs.
• That's about it. Enjoy.

 

[Eugen Mezei]

One of the first things I do after getting a computer to run is to contact the previous owner (most often they left their emails too) and ask if they are interested to send them their data. (One wonders about what lies on the harddisks. Begining with family photos, some of the more intimate nature, to emails, work and school papers up to sensible data like contracts and bank data.)
'The reactions are unpredictible, from polite and thankfull to angry.
(Btw, I do the same with pictures from cameras, being digital or with forgotten film in them. A bit harder to find out contact data of the former owner.)