Inherited Mac - Wipe n Reload, or tweak ?

Sorry for your loss.
Since applications are installed system-wide, you can create a new user account in System Preferences, and you can also make it an administrator account. Click on Accounts (in the 4th row for System), open the padlock in the lower left by entering in the existing user's password, then click on the + sign above the lock. Set a new name/shortname, new password and verify, and make sure you have it checked to "allow user to administer this computer" or the account type is "Administrator" rather than "Standard." Logging out and into the other user account will then allow you to delete the original administrator user and retain all of the installed applications.

 

My vote is for wipe and reload.

This is really the best way to go. It's good to get rid of all the left over stuff and start new. Then you can reinstall the stuff you want to use.

 

Definitely start fresh, for all you know, the previous owners accidentally got socially engineering into installing a trojan or keylogger.

More likely, but still not too likely, there may be modified settings, other such things. It'll be harder to troubleshoot any problems since you don't know the exact history.

 

Wipe and start afresh. Depending what it is, might be a good time to think about adding in a bigger hard drive also.

 

My condolences for your loss. As long as you've saved what you want and have the install disks, I'd wipe clean and start over.

 

Sorry for your lost, Sparge.

There is no compelling reason to wipe and reload. It's not like it's a pc full of adware, spyware and trojans. But if you decide wipe and install is the way you want to go...

Wipe and reload is very fast and painless on Mac. No looking for cd key numbers. No phone calls to Redmond Washington to prove you are not a thief. No clicking through endless dialog boxes to make decisions you don't care about or understand...

1 Simply insert the OS X dvd that came with the system and boot from the dvd.
2 Pick wipe and install (rather than archive and install), then go for a walk. It's a computer. It can do a thing or two without babysitting. I know you're used to that attention deprived toddler called windows, but OS X can do something right without intervention. Really.
3 Done. *

(* well you will have to make one or two decisions such as creating a user account and picking your default language)

 

Sorry to hear for you loss.

I'd definately go for a rebuild - doesn't take too long.