Buying a G5

pbr2000 · pbr2000 #1 (**permalink**)

12-25-2009, 12:59 PM

I am considering buying a used G5 Tower, Dual 1.8GHz Processor, with Leopard Operating System (10.5), installed, along with Office 2008, iLife 2006 and Final Cut Studio 2.0 Pro.

Are there some diagnostic tests I can run to determine if the computer is working properly before I buy? Step by step recommendations appreciated as I am almost entirely unfamiliar with Mac computers. Thanks!

SunnyDaze · SunnyDaze #2 (**permalink**)

12-25-2009, 01:25 PM

Do you the software available to run the Apple Hardware Test?

pbr2000 · pbr2000 #3 (**permalink**)

12-25-2009, 01:58 PM

No, I don't have any Apple software. Is there anything I can do to test the computer on the spot? Does the operating system have something I can run to test the hardware?
Thanks!

SunnyDaze · SunnyDaze #4 (**permalink**)

12-25-2009, 02:00 PM

If you had the OS disks, you could perform the Apple Hardware Test which usually takes about 45 minutes.

I don't know of any quick tests that take a minute or two and can verify the well-being of a machine.

pbr2000 · pbr2000 #5 (**permalink**)

12-25-2009, 02:38 PM

Thanks! The guy who's selling it does have the OS disks, so I will ask him to run the Apple Hardware Test. I assume he will know how to do it. I appreciate your responses!

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #6 (**permalink**)

12-25-2009, 04:20 PM

As a suggestion if you want a G5, look for at least a 2GHz DP as the earlier models were not as reliable. Just do a search for 1.6 and 1.8 problems.

SunnyDaze · SunnyDaze #7 (**permalink**)

12-25-2009, 05:37 PM

My next question would be... How much are you paying for this machine? If it's that great of a deal, I'd take the risk.

FYI: The Dual 2.0's have audio output issues in the form of a "chirp" that occurs when the machine scales the FSB multiplier. It's not a big deal unless you do audio production work. I myself am an "audiophile" and I'm not bothered by it during playback.

Google "Dual 2.0 G5 noise" and you'll find a barrage of articles, including the CHUD "fix". Also, as Harry said, definitely do your homework with respect to reliability.

pbr2000 · pbr2000 #8 (**permalink**)

12-26-2009, 04:44 PM

Thanks for everyone's help. I made the purchase - $300 for dual 1.8, Final Cut Studio and Apple flat panel monitor. I think it was a good deal.

SunnyDaze · SunnyDaze #9 (**permalink**)

12-26-2009, 05:10 PM

Sounds like it to me! Now the real fun begins!

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #10 (**permalink**)

12-26-2009, 05:56 PM

Good luck. If the install discs came with the machine, pop them in and reboot from the disv, run Repair Drive from Disk Utility, reformat and do a nice clean install with your details and password.

SunnyDaze #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 12, 2007 Location: Pittsburgh. Posts: 57 Mac Specs: See "Signature".	12-25-2009, 01:25 PM Do you the software available to run the Apple Hardware Test? Gurassic 5: Power Mac G5 Dual 2.0 (PCI-X), 2 1TB WD Green HD's in RAID 1, 8GB DDR, Nvidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL Mac Edition, Airport Extreme, BT, Dual 20" WS LCD's, 10.4.11. Alice: Aluminum Macbook, Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3, 320GB HD, 10.5.8, Windows XP Pro.
	QUOTE Thanks

SunnyDaze #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 12, 2007 Location: Pittsburgh. Posts: 57 Mac Specs: See "Signature".	12-25-2009, 02:00 PM If you had the OS disks, you could perform the Apple Hardware Test which usually takes about 45 minutes. I don't know of any quick tests that take a minute or two and can verify the well-being of a machine. Gurassic 5: Power Mac G5 Dual 2.0 (PCI-X), 2 1TB WD Green HD's in RAID 1, 8GB DDR, Nvidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL Mac Edition, Airport Extreme, BT, Dual 20" WS LCD's, 10.4.11. Alice: Aluminum Macbook, Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3, 320GB HD, 10.5.8, Windows XP Pro.
	QUOTE Thanks

pbr2000 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 25, 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4	12-25-2009, 02:38 PM Thanks! The guy who's selling it does have the OS disks, so I will ask him to run the Apple Hardware Test. I assume he will know how to do it. I appreciate your responses! Last edited by pbr2000; 12-25-2009 at 03:06 PM.
	QUOTE Thanks

SunnyDaze #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 12, 2007 Location: Pittsburgh. Posts: 57 Mac Specs: See "Signature".	12-25-2009, 05:37 PM My next question would be... How much are you paying for this machine? If it's that great of a deal, I'd take the risk. FYI: The Dual 2.0's have audio output issues in the form of a "chirp" that occurs when the machine scales the FSB multiplier. It's not a big deal unless you do audio production work. I myself am an "audiophile" and I'm not bothered by it during playback. Google "Dual 2.0 G5 noise" and you'll find a barrage of articles, including the CHUD "fix". Also, as Harry said, definitely do your homework with respect to reliability. Gurassic 5: Power Mac G5 Dual 2.0 (PCI-X), 2 1TB WD Green HD's in RAID 1, 8GB DDR, Nvidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL Mac Edition, Airport Extreme, BT, Dual 20" WS LCD's, 10.4.11. Alice: Aluminum Macbook, Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3, 320GB HD, 10.5.8, Windows XP Pro. Last edited by SunnyDaze; 12-25-2009 at 05:55 PM.
	QUOTE Thanks

SunnyDaze #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 12, 2007 Location: Pittsburgh. Posts: 57 Mac Specs: See "Signature".	12-26-2009, 05:10 PM Sounds like it to me! Now the real fun begins! Gurassic 5: Power Mac G5 Dual 2.0 (PCI-X), 2 1TB WD Green HD's in RAID 1, 8GB DDR, Nvidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL Mac Edition, Airport Extreme, BT, Dual 20" WS LCD's, 10.4.11. Alice: Aluminum Macbook, Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3, 320GB HD, 10.5.8, Windows XP Pro.
	QUOTE Thanks

Buying a G5

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pbr2000 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 25, 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4	12-25-2009, 12:59 PM I am considering buying a used G5 Tower, Dual 1.8GHz Processor, with Leopard Operating System (10.5), installed, along with Office 2008, iLife 2006 and Final Cut Studio 2.0 Pro. Are there some diagnostic tests I can run to determine if the computer is working properly before I buy? Step by step recommendations appreciated as I am almost entirely unfamiliar with Mac computers. Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,080 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	12-25-2009, 04:20 PM As a suggestion if you want a G5, look for at least a 2GHz DP as the earlier models were not as reliable. Just do a search for 1.6 and 1.8 problems.
	QUOTE Thanks

pbr2000 #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 25, 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4	12-26-2009, 04:44 PM Thanks for everyone's help. I made the purchase - $300 for dual 1.8, Final Cut Studio and Apple flat panel monitor. I think it was a good deal.
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,080 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	12-26-2009, 05:56 PM Good luck. If the install discs came with the machine, pop them in and reboot from the disv, run Repair Drive from Disk Utility, reformat and do a nice clean install with your details and password.
	QUOTE Thanks

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