used mac sale? should i bother?

Question

i'm considering wether i should buy a used mac..the owner emailed me back, after i asked what was wrong with it (since it was so cheap) ..is what hes saying even right and is it the real scenerio? does this even sound right to you or what?

p.s i can fix pc's and never bothered with a mac but is this just a boot disc fix? the added cmos replacement makes me wonder..

"Yes the Mac is still available. It had sat unused for a pretty long time, so we bought a new CMOS battery for it and turned it on. The intro "music" plays, but then it just shuts itself off. We were told to buy or have another Mac user create some sort of a boot/repair disc, but we haven't been able to get anyone to look at it for us and have just lost interest in it."

i only have this info so far

Apple iMac G3

what os would be good on this? i am thinking a mac os but then again ubuntu sounds good.

Answer 1

unless you know what you're doing, or don't mind the financial hit and want something to play with, i'd say steer clear of it.

Answer 2

Would this be a CRT iMac or one of the first flat panels? Let's assume it is a CRT model. I wouldn't suggest risking more than 25 U.S. dollars on an iMac G3 CRT that is working normally since the monitor and computer are in one case and when the monitor goes, the whole thing is beyond justifiable expenses for repair. The iMac CRT models range from 1998 vintage to 2001. You might expect half of all CRT monitors that are this age to be a big risk so that means the iMac is also.

* Power off symptom after a POST chime is not a symptom related to the system software. It indicates one of two things: firmware is wacky or hardware is faulty (such as RAM or the PAV board). With the first problem, you have a good chance of reviving it without spending additional cash.

* Resetting the firmware: Hold these 4 keys at startup: command - option - O - F. Then at the command line, type "reset-nvram". Press enter. Now type "reset-all". Press enter. Now type "mac-boot". Press enter. The iMac should restart and stay on. It may boot into OS 9 or 9.1 so download firmware updates for it right away and install them while booted to OS 9 on the hard drive (not booted to a CD).

* If you can't boot into the open firmware screen, it means there is a hardware fault. Try removing any added RAM. If that's a no-go, it needs service from an iMac CRT expert. Don't open the case and start feeling around inside. You could find 30,000 volts.

My best suggestion is to keep searching for a Power Mac G4 (not the notorious "Mirror Drive Door" unless you know it has had the power supply-fan refurb) or iBook G4 (late 2004 or later is really a good choice). For a tight budget, try a G3 Blue & White. Shop at Craigslist.org, Macsales.com (clearance or used section), eBay or Welovemacs.com, link below. Never buy sight-unseen. Review these models at the link below.

Answer 3

Sounds like an iBook. If it is, and it is doing as they say, odds are the battery has shorted out. If it starts up from the power supply without the battery in it, then that's the problem. If the intro music plays and there was a gray screen with a folder with question mark on it, that means there is no system software installed or it is corrupted. If it is a desktop like an iMac and doing what they say, I'd stay away from it.

Answer 4

If it's old, the a new CMOS battery is a good idea. I'd test to see if it would boot from a OS Disc first. The boot chime is a good indication that it might be ok. What model is it?

Answer 5

I wouldn't touch it. A G3 is too old and too slow ... even if it still works ... which sounds questionable.

Unless you can get it for about $20, don't bother.

Go to the online Apple Store and check out their refurbished Macs.

They're totally rebuilt and warantied by Apple.

I've bought at least three Macs from them this way, and I've never been sorry.