How do I test a 2nd hand Dual 2ghz G5??

[PRØBE]

I am going to check out a dual 2ghz Rev A G5 on Friday. It's selling for a reasonable 2200 Euros (2666 US). The Rev B 2ghz is currently priced at 3344 US with tax included my local Apple reseller in Portugal, so about a 680 dollar saving.

The guy tells me it's had a fresh install of the OS, and no upgrades so it comes exactly the same as when it was bought. My question is seeing as it doesn't have Photoshop or any other non bundled software on it, how can I test it out? If there were for example an overheating problem due to faulty fans, would the processor get up enough speed just running the os for them to show up?

Are there any other tests I should run on it before handing over all that hard-earned cash? Eg ram/hard disk? If so I haven't a clue of how to go about it so any and all tips would be welcome.

I know the Apple store in the US probably sells refurbs for less than I'm considering paying, but we have no Apple stores and the resellers don't do refurbs here.

Thanks in advance

 

[mkaake]

open up the side panel and turn on the computer. as long as the fans kick on high gear, you'll be aight.

and since they didn't start shipping until late last year, you've still got some applecare on any rev a g5... and a few months left to boot before it becomes a buy or die thing.

oh, and make sure he/she gives you the OS cd's. no fun like not having the OS cd's...

 

[LeeTom]

Ask for a 1 or 2 day return period from the person, to make sure it's not a lemon. I think a lot of reasonable sellers would do this.

Lee Tom

 

[jsw]

The G5 should have come with a DVD named "Software Install and Restore (Includes Apple Hardware Test)".

Insert it into the DVD player and restart holding down the 'C' key.

The hardware test lets you run extensive tests of the system to verify that it's all working.

And, as mentioned, AppleCare should still be available.

 

[PRØBE]

testing

The G5 should have come with a DVD named "Software Install and Restore (Includes Apple Hardware Test)".

Insert it into the DVD player and restart holding down the 'C' key.

The hardware test lets you run extensive tests of the system to verify that it's all working.

And, as mentioned, AppleCare should still be available.

That sounds good. What kind of tests are they and are they easy to perform?
Would they take a long time to run?

 

[mkaake]

its almost completely dependent on how much ram you have - that's the majority of the test, so the more ram, the longer it will take. if i recall, it took about 10 minutes on my emac(maybe it was more, maybe less... it was a while ago )

but it'll test all hardware... make sure the vid card is okay, make sure the ram is okay, airport extreme, etc. etc.

good test...

 

[mikeyredk]

Make sure that extended applecare hasn't been applied. If it is, then you will have a bit of trouble servicing it. Get the serial number and call applecare to check the status, just tell them your planning on purchasing the powermac and would like a check status of the computer.

 

[jsw]

That sounds good. What kind of tests are they and are they easy to perform?
Would they take a long time to run?

be forewarned: with a reasonable amount of RAM (1GB or more), it can take over half of an hour to run the whole suite.

 

[PRØBE]

I'm catching on...

be forewarned: with a reasonable amount of RAM (1GB or more), it can take over half of an hour to run the whole suite.

I'm getting there slowly...so If I've got this right, the hardware test option will show up on the screen if i reboot the mac with the "C" key down right?

It only has the basic 512 ram installed so the testing shouldnt take very long.

I'll be going from a 366mhz G3 clamshell if all this works out. Can't wait!

 

[jsw]

I'm getting there slowly...so If I've got this right, the hardware test option will show up on the screen if i reboot the mac with the "C" key down right?

It only has the basic 512 ram installed so the testing shouldnt take very long.

I'll be going from a 366mhz G3 clamshell if all this works out. Can't wait!

My mistake - you hold down the Option key, not the 'C' key. Just did it to test.

Teh extended test takes up to 30 minutes for 512MB. G5's fans will run loudly at times - not an indication of a bad system. Best of luck!

Edit: 'C' key brings up OS X Install and lets you get at Disk Utility, BTW). You have to read the PDF on the disk before booting into it to know to use the Option key.

 

[jsw]

PR0BE:

Did you see that last post?

And just to be clear - you need to insert the DVD named "Software Install and Restore (Includes Apple Hardware Test)", then reboot and hold the Option key.

 

[PRØBE]

Thanks to everyone who chipped in

PR0BE:

Did you see that last post?

And just to be clear - you need to insert the DVD named "Software Install and Restore (Includes Apple Hardware Test)", then reboot and hold the Option key.

Ok got it.
Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it all goes on Friday. BTW, the guy said in his ad that it is under guarantee until December so it's a fairly safe buy I think. These tests will enable me to just make sure it's all as it should be before I part with my cash though.

 

[jsw]

Ok got it.
Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it all goes on Friday. BTW, the guy said in his ad that it is under guarantee until December so it's a fairly safe buy I think. These tests will enable me to just make sure it's all as it should be before I part with my cash though.

Best of luck!

And, of course, I forgot something else - holding down the option key on startup will let you choose where to boot from - it'll take a while to see the HW Test partition on the DVD. Once it shows up, click on it and press return (or, probably, just double click on it).

Then you're golden! Remember - loud fan noises are acceptible during the tests.