IMac – Ways To Test iMac G3 Before Buying

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I am going to buy an old iMac G3 Over the next couple of days/weeks, and I want to make sure that I am buying a system with no problems. I usually ask for the serial number and good pictures before buying, but I want to know what to do when I physically meet the person I decide to buy from. What should I do when with the buyer to test the system to know what defects it may have? The system would either be running Mac OS 8 or 9 (classic), or OS X. If there is a set of things I should do, or a program I should run what would that be?

Generic iMac G3 Picture

Best Answer

I am going to buy an old iMac G3 Over the next couple of days/weeks, and I want to make sure that I am buying a system with no problems.

Assuming you're getting the Bondi-Blue iMac G3, you're looking at a machine with 20 years on it. Getting one with "no problems" is a tall order and akin to buying a "reliable classic car."

Some of the issues you can expect:

  • brittle plastic
  • malfunctioning CD-ROM
  • leaking capacitors
  • failing IDE/PATA Hard Drive

If you get a machine that boots and runs, you're well on your way. That said, this will run OS 8, 9 and OS X through 10.3 Panther.

What to look out for...

  • Make sure you have original install disks. If you do, the second disk will have your diagnostic tools. Boot that and run them

  • Run First Aid using Disk Utility. If the drive is actively failing, this will tell you.

  • Bring an audio CD with you to test out the drive and how well the speakers work

  • Determine whether you're getting the Rev A. or B model. The B version had the ability to support more memory (512M versus 384M) and better graphics (6MB VRAM on ATI Rage Pro versus 2M RAM on ATI Rage)

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