Buying 2nd hand ibook - anything i should know

I'm buying a second hand g3 iBook 500MHz from a friend of mine, which was bought when the g4 iBooks first came out at the end of 2004.
The Logic board has been replaced under warranty, but the hard drive is corrupt, meaning i'll have to change it [i've already researched it and am confident i can do it wihout a hitch].
I have an old 95mm 30GB HDD from a windows laptop which i'll be putting in the iBook.
Is there anything i should know? The HDD isn't formatted [i figure there's a boot utility when installing OSX that can format the drive]. Is it recommended that I do anything out of the ordinary, like installing OSX, then reformatting and reinstalling it again after the first boot [to condition the drive or anything].
Any other tips and tricks?
Thanks

So, I bought it.
Turns out it was an iBook 800, not a 500. It also had a 30GB drive instead of the 15GB the seller told me, as well as and extra 128MB RAM [total 256].
When i first turned it on, it booted into OS X 10.3.9, and ran for a bit, sluggishly, until i tried to run the software updater. Then it died. I had the original 10.2.1 install disks, so i formatted and reinstalled, which worked.
Everytime i ran the software updater, and instaleld the 10.2.8 combo [either through the updater itself, or by downloading it from the apple support site and running the dmg myself.
Anyway, i ended up pulling the whole thing apart and replacing the HDD with one from an old laptop [another 30GB] with the help from the guide at macfixit.com. I went out and got Tiger, installed it fresh on the new HDD, and voila - works beautifully.
So far no problems at all. I'm really, really liking it [my first mac] so far.
Thanks for help everyone

Similar Messages

I updated my ipad1 thru iTunes from 4.2.1 to 4.3.5 and now having issues, especially playing videos. Anything I should know. I have not jail broken my iPad and don't want to.

I updated my ipad1 thru iTunes from 4.2.1 to 4.3.5 and now having issues, especially playing videos. Anything I should know. I have not jail broken my iPad and don't want to.

you update it by connecting it to a computer running itunes and starting itunes up on the computer clicking on it in devices and clicking on the update button in the content menu
if it say you have the latests then it's because you don't own an iphone 3gs but an iphone 3g where the version 4.2.1 was the last released
in that case you can't ever update it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_version_history#Current_versions

Reinstall adobe 9 - anything I should know?

reinstall adobe 9 - anything I should know?

Which product you are trying to install Adobe Reader or Acrobat ?
Ideally it's a good practice to install with a new admin account so that you don't run into permissions issues. Once install, please update to latest version.
If you need more information, please let me know.

Anything I should know about the 990FXA-GD80V2 before purchase?

I'm considering getting a new motherboard in the next few days or so, and currently have my eye on the 990FXA-GD80V2. I plan to pair it with the FX-8350 and a R7850, and likely use Linux.
I was wondering if there was anything in-particular I should know before buying this board. For example, I recall reading somewhere that someone had to do a BIOS update to get their FX-8350 to use the right voltage or something.
I'm doing a good bit of research myself, but I'd like to avoid another experience like the one I had with ASRock.

Quote from: miklkit on 28-August-14, 22:46:41
I read your post about Asrock. Not good, but no 970 board is up for the 8350. Only experts with mega cash to spend on exotic cooling can keep that combination alive.
The MSI GD80 is a solid cool running board that can handle any FX cpu. My 8350 will bench and run at over 5ghz with air cooling but is stable at 4.7 ghz for everyday use. The 9590 is good for 5ghz for every day use. Because the GD80 runs so cool air cooling can be used making this a very cost effective combination. I am currently using an ASUS Sabertooth board and it runs hot. Water cooling is required to overclock it and I will be going back to the GD80 soon.
MSI is very conservative with their bios settings, which means that you can only run stock clocks unless the utilities provided on their cd are used. But last December they castrated those utilities too! I prefer to use ClickBiosII, and here is a link to a working version.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gpalg0tpyyfcivy/AAA_vvHgq7MUkdcXPH3Nh5rWa/CLICKBIOSII.7z?dl=0
Thanks for the feedback. I'm curious though, what exactly about the ASUS Sabertooth board makes it run hotter than the GD80? Would figure the CPU temps to be relatively the same, but maybe you're talking about another component like the VRMs or NB?
Also, what's that ClickBiosII thing? Is it a custom BIOS? From quick-glance at the archive, perhaps it's a BIOS-configuration tool that can be used from Windows to directly-alter the BIOS?
I put in the order for the GD80V2 a little bit ago; seems it'll be a manufacturer-refurbished board. Does anyone happen to have any first-hand experience as to how warranty is handled with such hardware? From my understanding, it seems used hardware carries whatever warranty existed since the hardware's purchase date, but refurbished hardware carriers only a 90-day warranty. Is the 90-day limit true, and if so, is it a "hard" limit (as in, you get absolutely 0 support after 90 days), or perhaps handled on case-by-case (MSI "might" be kind enough to do the RMA after 90 days depending on issue)?

Black Magic Intensity Pro....anything I should know about?

I will be getting the Intensity Pro within a couple days and I was wondering if anyone in here have used it or is using it. Is there anything that I should know about that I may have overlooked?

I just noticed that the screen does not sit securely
when it's closed. There seems to be a 'bow' in the
whole panel.
Have you heard about this before?
This is actually a common issue on powerbooks and macbook pros. Apple suggests not not worry about the "cosmetic defect", as it doesn't affect the performance and it was design that way to prevent the screen froum touching the keyboard.. I still can't somehow fall for that excuse...

Thinking about getting a MacBook, using Boot Camp, anything I should know?

I'm going into 8th Grade and my parents are thinking about getting a MacBook for me. Now, because my school uses PCs with Windows, I will need to use Boot Camp so I can save things from Microsoft Office on a flash drive and take it back and forth from home to school. Before I do this I need to know if there is anything I should be aware of because I've seen some weird things on sites about Boot Camp like something called Fat32. I also need to know what version of Windows should I use. XP or Vista? I've heard bad things about Vista like how there are back ways in for Hackers, but it's really eye-catching with it's futuristic look. So should I just wait for Windows 7 to come out and replace Vista in the summer or fall of 2010? (Yes, for people who may not know, Microsoft is developing a successor to Vista known as Windows 7. I read about it in my dad's latest issue of Consumer Reports.)

When you get the computer you can run the Boot Camp Assistant program (Utilities folder) and print out the documentation (it's fairly long.) Read it carefully before proceeding. It should explain what you need to know about installing and using Windows on a Mac.
You can install any 32-bit version of Vista or XP with Service Pak 2.
Windows uses two disk formats - FAT32 or NTFS. Vista requires NTFS but XP can use either. OS X can read/write FAT32 formatted drives but NTFS is read-only to OS X. That means that unless the drive is formatted FAT32 you will not be able to transfer files between the Windows volume and the OS X volume. Neither Vista nor XP are any less secure. Both are vulnerable to viruses and malware unless you run anti-virus/malware software to protect the computer.
There are different ways to run Windows on a Mac. Boot Camp is only one:
Windows on Intel Macs
There are presently several alternatives for running Windows on Intel Macs.
1. Install the Apple Boot Camp software. Purchase Windows XP w/Service Pak 2 or Vista. Follow instructions in the Boot Camp documentation on installation of Boot Camp, creating Driver CD, and installing Windows. Boot Camp enables you to boot the computer into OS X or Windows.
2. Parallels Desktop for Mac and Windows XP, Vista Business, or Vista Ultimate. Parallels is software virtualization that enables running Windows concurrently with OS X.
3. VM Fusionand Windows XP, Vista Business, or Vista Ultimate. VM Fusion is software virtualization that enables running Windows concurrently with OS X.
4. CrossOver which enables running many Windows applications without having to install Windows. The Windows applications can run concurrently with OS X.
5. VirtualBox is a new Open Source freeware virtual machine such as VM Fusion and Parallels that was developed by Solaris. It is not yet fully developed for the Mac - some features are not yet implemented - but it does work otherwise.
6. Last is Q. Q is a freeware emulator that is compatible with Intel Macs. It is much slower than the virtualization software, Parallels and VM Fusion.
Note that VirtualBox, Parallels, and VM Fusion can also run other operating systems such as Linux, Unix, OS/2, Solaris, etc. There are performance differences between dual-boot systems and virtualization. The latter tend to be a little slower (not much) and do not provide the video performance of the dual-boot system.
See MacTech.com's Virtualization Benchmarking for comparisons of Boot Camp, Parallels, and VM Fusion.

Think I'm in trouble, 2nd hand computer and don't know the administrator

I think I'm in deep trouble. We were given a second hand imac G3 and I went to update some things but every time I try to it tells me I need an administrators name and password? Whats worse is that I don't have any OS boot disks. Is there any way to reset the admin name and password?

Hi cam9457!
If the original owner cannot provide the discs, you call Apple Customer Service 1-800-767-2775, provide the Serial Number of the iMac G3, and you can purchase replacement original system discs.
But, you will also need to purchase a Full Retail Version, of the Panther Install CDs.
If you know what to look for, they can be purchased, at some online Apple retailers, Amazon, eBay, FastMac, HardCore Mac, AllMac, etc.
Be sure not to purchase grey, upgrade or machine specific CDs or DVDs.
Panther is only on CDs, not DVDs.
The discs should look exactly like the images in the above links, and not say Upgrade, CPU Drop-in DVD, or "This software is part of a hardware bundle purchase - not to be sold seperately." on them.
Additional info in these links.
Using OS X Install CDs/DVDs On Multiple Macs
What's A Computer Specific Mac OS X Release
Software Update, Upgrade: What's The Difference?
Caveat Emptor!
If any are presently available, examine these items very carefully, and if in doubt, ask questions of the seller before purchase!
Panther On eBay
ali b

Installing a new soundcard tonight -- Anything I should know? [Solved]

Hi,
I'm replacing my current sucky on-board audio (AC97 on an Asus A8N) to a Auzentech X-plosion
link - (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php? … =AuzenTech)
I have googled it and I'm pretty sure it works with Kernel 2.6.27. Houray ! Also, there is a linux driver on the manufacturer's website.
What I want to know is :
1) Is there anything I must do/not do when I change my hardware under Linux ? Xorg ? Modules ? Kernel ? ALSA ?
2) Must I change anything in my rc.conf ?
Here is the list of my rc.conf modules right now :
MODULES=(evdev forcedeth slhc ac97_bus snd-mixer-oss snd-pcm-oss snd-seq-oss
snd-seq-device snd-seq-midi-event snd-seq snd-hwdep snd-page-alloc
snd-pcm snd-rawmidi snd-timer snd snd-mpu401-uart snd-mpu401
snd-ac97-codec snd-intel8x0 soundcore snd-usb-audio snd-usb-lib !pcspkr nvidia fuse loop)
Thanks. I'll disable the onboard in the BIOS. I just want to make sure that my PC will still work, and work well, next time I boot !
Last edited by o.besner (2008-12-03 12:23:05)

I had to install alsa-firmware for the AUR, and then do alsaconfig, and it worked ! Without the alsa-firmware package it didn't though.
It got spooky though. I tried everything I knew, and lsusb still doesn't correctly name the device. Oh well. It was easier to setup than on my Windows XP partition where the computer just rebooted spontaneously.
I should have lowered the sound before. That was wise indeed, LTSmash.
Is there a way I can mark this thread as solved ?

Buying 2nd hand iPhone 3GS. How can I tell it's not a 3G?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but never had/used an iPhone before. Thinking about buying a second hand iPhone 3GS.
How can I tell if it's a 8gb, 16gb or 32gb and how can I tell it's not an iPhone 3G?
Thanks

Spiface,
If you can get a look at the back of the phone, here are some things to look for:
Is the Writing on the back of the phone in Silver or in Grey?
If it is Silver, then it is a 3GS.
16GB and 32GB models have the storage capacity printed on their backs. The current 8GB model does not have any storage capacity printed on its back, although you can still identify it as a 3GS if it has silver print.
Hope this helps,
David

Anything I should know about using m-audio FW with 24 inch imac 2.16?

I just bought a used 24 inch 2.16 core2duo imac, my mac mini has a dead firewire port which I need for an audio interface. So this is a replacement/upgrade for it. I'll be using it with an m-audio profire lightbridge, and for 3d graphics.
Are there any problems and/or quirks about this machine I should be aware of? Specifically with firewire audio interfaces, but anything else I should be looking for?
Also, is it possible to upgrade the graphics card in these?

Quote from: nascarmike on 01-October-06, 00:10:10
I also have the MSI NEO4 sli f. I have been trying to figure out how to get all four DIMM's loaded.Are you saying that by changing to 2t in bios that I can populate all 4 DIMM's at DDR400? If not what would you reccommend as the best configuration for ram with this board?
It's depend what CPU you've actually unless you need to PLUG and PRAY for it in order to make it run at DDR400 at 1T but that's normally work with 2T.
Quote from: Kitt on 01-October-06, 12:49:36
Thanks again... I downloaded all relevant drivers/files from the MSI site, unarchieved them to their own folders and burnt to DVD.
If I read the manual correctly I am to put each stick of the same kind (ie: Kingston) in the GREEN slots first. However, I posted the same "Before..." question to a usenet group "a.c.p.m.msi-microstar" and was advised to put the RAM in one GREEN slot and one PURPLE slot, side-by-side. Which is correct? Both GREEN first, or 1 in GREEN and 1 in PURPLE.
Thanks for the info on the memory timing command of 1T and 2T... The Processor is an AMD-64 3800+ Venice revision E, socket 939. As I understand it, installing 4 double sided DIMMs will only yield 333MHz, however it would be great if the 1T could work to achieve 400MHz.
--Brian
Maybe that you've different combinations of the RAM timing and the volt as you've different brand and memory capacity. Tried to get the same model of ram and timing and maybe it could help you to get DDR400 if you're LUCKY enough others mantained it to DDR333 speed. GD luck.

About to Erase and Re-Install Snow Leopard. Anything I should know?

I'm about to erase and re-install Snow Leopard on my 2009 21.5' iMac. Something got snarled up during the migration process from my old 2006 iMac to this new one and things have been steadily getting more and more "weird" over time, so it's time for a clean slate.
I have a few specific questions and would be grateful for any other tips you may have regarding this operation as I've done it on Windoze computers many times but never done it on a Mac for obvious reasons
My specific questions are as follows:
1. If I archive my various Mail inboxes, can I just put them back after the re-install and have all my messages back again?
2. Does anyone know how to save Firefox Bookmarks, as it doesn't have an export option like Safari.
3. Any other things I should be aware of.
Your help and suggestions will be much appreciated

After what you want to do, you'll still get the same permissions repair report. Ignore it as detailed in http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1448 (which doesn't include the recent JavaVM warnings).
Your bootstraps solution doesn't hold water. OK. Since the issue is specific to your original user account, you can proceed in two ways. One is to log into your test account, make a list of the preference files (plists) located in /username/Library/Preferences/, including any in the ByHost subfolder, log back into the original account, move everything on that other account's list from the original account's Preferences folder into a newly created folder on the Desktop, log out and back in, and see if the problem goes away. If so, you can copy the ones in the Desktop folder (one at time) back into /Preferences/, restart, and see if the problem returns. If so, you've identified the corrupt/conflicting one. Continue with all of them until isolating the bad ones. That'll save you the trouble of resetting preferences.
The second way is much more detailed and I'll not burden you with the steps unless the above doesn't fix the issue.

Switching from a PC to Mac - anything I should know?

I'm from Canada, planning on purchasing the absolutely shiny BlackBook, with 2gb RAM and 200gb harddrive online.
I have never used a Mac before, and was just browsing through the forum. The Mac seems to have far less problems than a PC.
I'm looking for experiences, things-to-knows regarding the MacBook in general. Especially from Windows users that have now switched. What's the transition like? Is it intuitive?
Are there any specific MacBook related problems that seem to reoccur?

go with a mac...I was kind of wary of getting one myself, I used to give my husband a hard time for wanting one but now that I have my macbook I use it way more than my pc because I have less problems with it, it takes a lot less time to boot up versus my pc as well, also on mac NO VIRUSES!!

Recently i purchased a macbook pro 2nd hand and would like to know how to remove the main user of the mac and change so it is my own with my name?

i bought my macbook pro second hand and am looking for help as to change the main user of the mac so it feels like itsnow mine , the login has been changed to my name but the full user is in the name of the previous owner , someone please help?

I don't really care about all the lost files I'm just desperate to change this folder in users to my name so it's not someone else's , currently I'm in advanced options on users and groups , it says in this order, userID:501 , group:staff , account name:Bryce bell [which I changed and didn't change the folder] , login shell:/bin/bash , home directory:Brycebell [again I changed] , uuid:[some sort of code] and finally aliases:which is my email address

Buying 2nd hand iphone

im looking in to buying a used iphone from eBay. it says not been unlocked or had and jail break software installed on it. its 6 month old and bought in the uk. no sim card supplied, i got some Q's.
where can i get a sim for it O2?
if the phone has been unlocked/ jail broke where do i stand with my warranty from apple?

you can pretty much restore, the iphone and fix the baseband, which is what the unlock does downgraded the baseband, if you have a legit Orange account, and you erased the Jailbreak, and Unlock the iphone will be the same way as one coming fresh out of the box. And it will ask you for you to activated the iphone, if you don't have an iphone account. So if I were you I'll buy a brand new one. Get an extra 6month of warranty.
On top of that you will need to revirginize your iphone which is a very tricky.
Message was edited by: Chris0019

I did buy 2nd hand Iphone from the friend of my sister. How can i check where country is this iphone from?

Help guys! My sim card that i used doesnt work.

Her friend already resign on there company and i ask her too about that. and until now we try to contact her friend and until now he is not answering our calls.. I did already talk with the carier here in the philippines they say my iphone is not from them.. and i did also try to ask opinion to the technicians they say i need to jailbreak and what so ever.

Buying 2nd hand ibook - anything i should know

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for