| iBook G4 worth buying? [message #126754] |
Wed, 09 October 2013 18:49  |
mkehoe
Messages: 25
Registered: October 2013
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Hi all -
I still have an iBook G4 PowerBook 6.5 with airport; running 10.4.11
A local Goodwill has a used iBook G4 (no ac power cord/charger) for
$40.00. I can power it up with my power cord, but don't know how to get
past the older user's password page to see what operating system and
software are on it. I can't tell which model it is from looking at the
case.
Any ideas on how to get past the password page to see if it has airport,
etc.? I was thinking of buying it for parts. It's on sale until Sunday at
4pm, and so far no one has bid on it.
Worth it? Comments appreciated.
Thanks,
Mira
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| Re: iBook G4 worth buying? [message #126756 is a reply to message #126754] |
Wed, 09 October 2013 19:29  |
Bruce Johnson
Messages: 319
Registered: August 2012
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On Oct 9, 2013, at 3:49 PM, mkehoe <mirakehoe@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all -
>
> I still have an iBook G4 PowerBook 6.5 with airport; running 10.4.11
>
> Any ideas on how to get past the password page to see if it has airport, etc.? I was thinking of buying it for parts. It's on sale until Sunday at 4pm, and so far no one has bid on it.
Take a 10.4 installer disk with you to the store, boot from it and change the admin password. Actually you might be able to run 'About this mac' or system info from the installer menu; it's been a long time since I used 10.4 on anything.
If it boots up to a visible screen, then it's not immediately suffering from the common G4 iBook fault which is a bad video. A quick perusal of Ebay offerings indicates that it's about $10 cheaper than most, but they come with power bricks. I'd think it was worth it if it's on otherwise good shape.
And since it has someone's old password on it, hey there might be blackmail material on the hard drive 8-P
People get rid of computers with all sorts of info on them…someone I worked with picked up a nice Duo at the university's surplus auction that had 4 or 5 years worth of some faculty member's tax returns, and another time I picked up a Mac literally out of the garbage that had the previous owner's complete divorce papers, some tax returns and a bunch of other stuff. Wiped both systems of course, since I'm not the blackmail kinda guy.
The one I found in the garbage was used as my web server, (named Oscar for obvious reasons) for many years.
--
Bruce Johnson
University of Arizona
College of Pharmacy
Information Technology Group
Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs
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| Re: iBook G4 worth buying? [message #126795 is a reply to message #126756] |
Wed, 09 October 2013 21:01 |
mkehoe
Messages: 25
Registered: October 2013
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Thanks for the advice. I may bring the installer discs and give it a try,
even as an experiment. I can't imagine getting rid of a computer with
personal info. on it, but it sounds like it's fairly common. Maybe I could
get them to reduce the price since it doesn't have the power cord.
On Wed, Oct 9, 2013 at 6:29 PM, Bruce Johnson
<johnson@pharmacy.arizona.edu>wrote:
>
> On Oct 9, 2013, at 3:49 PM, mkehoe <mirakehoe@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi all -
>>
>> I still have an iBook G4 PowerBook 6.5 with airport; running 10.4.11
>>
>
>> Any ideas on how to get past the password page to see if it has airport,
> etc.? I was thinking of buying it for parts. It's on sale until Sunday at
> 4pm, and so far no one has bid on it.
>
> Take a 10.4 installer disk with you to the store, boot from it and change
> the admin password. Actually you might be able to run 'About this mac' or
> system info from the installer menu; it's been a long time since I used
> 10.4 on anything.
>
> If it boots up to a visible screen, then it's not immediately suffering
> from the common G4 iBook fault which is a bad video. A quick perusal of
> Ebay offerings indicates that it's about $10 cheaper than most, but they
> come with power bricks. I'd think it was worth it if it's on otherwise good
> shape.
>
> And since it has someone's old password on it, hey there might be
> blackmail material on the hard drive 8-P
>
> People get rid of computers with all sorts of info on them…someone I
> worked with picked up a nice Duo at the university's surplus auction that
> had 4 or 5 years worth of some faculty member's tax returns, and another
> time I picked up a Mac literally out of the garbage that had the previous
> owner's complete divorce papers, some tax returns and a bunch of other
> stuff. Wiped both systems of course, since I'm not the blackmail kinda guy.
>
> The one I found in the garbage was used as my web server, (named Oscar for
> obvious reasons) for many years.
>
> --
> Bruce Johnson
> University of Arizona
> College of Pharmacy
> Information Technology Group
>
> Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs
>
>
> --
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| Re: iBook G4 worth buying? [message #126839 is a reply to message #126754] |
Wed, 09 October 2013 22:32 |
NODEraser
Messages: 94
Registered: June 2013
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On Wed, Oct 9, 2013 at 3:49 PM, mkehoe <mirakehoe@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> A local Goodwill has a used iBook G4 (no ac power cord/charger) for $40.00.
> I can power it up with my power cord, but don't know how to get past the
> older user's password page to see what operating system and software are on
> it. I can't tell which model it is from looking at the case.
>
You should be able to pop the keyboard out to see if it has an Airport
card with minimal tools; I can pop most of them out with just my
fingers, though a micro flat-blade screwdriver helps a lot to undo the
locking tabs. Any OS X install CD that will run on the laptop should
allow you to run System Profiler and give you all the details you
could ever want.
I was under the impression that Goodwill was pretty good about wiping
any donated computers.
--
[Greg Bennett]
-Independent Carpenter, Electrician & Lighting Designer
-Purveyor of Classic Apple & Macintosh Gear
http://www.hsiprodsvcs.com/
http://www.macshack.us/
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| Re: iBook G4 worth buying? [message #126840 is a reply to message #126795] |
Thu, 10 October 2013 00:12 |
Clark Martin
Messages: 156
Registered: August 2012
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On Oct 9, 2013, at 6:01 PM, Mira Kehoe wrote:
> Thanks for the advice. I may bring the installer discs and give it a try, even as an experiment. I can't imagine getting rid of a computer with personal info. on it, but it sounds like it's fairly common. Maybe I could get them to reduce the price since it doesn't have the power cord.
Aside from e-bay and resellers, most of the Macs I've acquired either had nothing done to remove user data or the other extreme, the hard disk removed. I got a Pismo for a nice price but I did have go online and find a supplier for a replacement drive cable and carrier. They had pulled the drive / carrier and cut the drive cable.
In addition to no power cord, emphasize the (presumably) dead battery. The worse it sounds, hopefully the cheaper they'll go.
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| Re: iBook G4 worth buying? [message #126879 is a reply to message #126754] |
Thu, 10 October 2013 00:46 |
Fabian Fang
Messages: 33
Registered: August 2012
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On Oct 9, 2013, at 3:49 PM, mkehoe wrote:
> A local Goodwill has a used iBook G4 (no ac power cord/charger) for $40.00. I can power it up with my power cord, but don't know how to get past the older user's password page to see what operating system and software are on it. I can't tell which model it is from looking at the case.
>
> Any ideas on how to get past the password page to see if it has airport, etc.? I was thinking of buying it for parts. It's on sale until Sunday at 4pm, and so far no one has bid on it.
>
> Worth it? Comments appreciated.
There are hundreds of eBay auctions for assorted iBook G4 models, with AC adapters, most in apparently good running conditions, and possibly for not much more than $40. You may wish to compare this Goodwill unit against some of those, and decide for yourself whether it is "worth it."
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| Re: iBook G4 worth buying? [message #127213 is a reply to message #126879] |
Thu, 10 October 2013 18:39 |
glen
Messages: 86
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On Oct 9, 2013, at 3:49 PM, mkehoe wrote:
> A local Goodwill has a used iBook G4 (no ac power cord/charger) for $40.00. I can power it up with my power cord, but don't know how to get past the older user's password page to see what operating system and software are on it. I can't tell which model it is from looking at the case.
>
If you can find the serial number you can check out the original spec's at:
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
Local pickup saves shipping. I got a 1.42 GHZ from the swap list a while back for $60 shipped. It does not hold a charge but makes for a great iTunes server for my living room stereo when plugged in. -- glen
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| Re: iBook G4 worth buying? [message #127214 is a reply to message #127213] |
Thu, 10 October 2013 18:52 |
mkehoe
Messages: 25
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That's what I'm thinking... Kind of a cheap power for an iTunes library...
On Thursday, October 10, 2013, glen wrote:
>
> On Oct 9, 2013, at 3:49 PM, mkehoe wrote:
>
>> A local Goodwill has a used iBook G4 (no ac power cord/charger) for
> $40.00. I can power it up with my power cord, but don't know how to get
> past the older user's password page to see what operating system and
> software are on it. I can't tell which model it is from looking at the
> case.
>>
>
> If you can find the serial number you can check out the original spec's at:
> http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
>
> Local pickup saves shipping. I got a 1.42 GHZ from the swap list a while
> back for $60 shipped. It does not hold a charge but makes for a great
> iTunes server for my living room stereo when plugged in. -- glen
>
> --
> --
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> those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power
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| Re: iBook G4 worth buying? [message #127215 is a reply to message #127213] |
Thu, 10 October 2013 18:54 |
Fabian Fang
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On Oct 10, 2013, at 3:39 PM, glen wrote:
> On Oct 9, 2013, at 3:49 PM, mkehoe wrote:
>
>> A local Goodwill has a used iBook G4 (no ac power cord/charger) for $40.00. I can power it up with my power cord, but don't know how to get past the older user's password page to see what operating system and software are on it. I can't tell which model it is from looking at the case.
>>
>
> If you can find the serial number you can check out the original spec's at:
> http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
Finding the serial number of some iBook G4 models is more easily said than done:
<http://support.apple.com/kb/TA27282>
The OP may not be allowed to open up that unit before purchase.
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| Re: iBook G4 worth buying? [message #127304 is a reply to message #127215] |
Thu, 10 October 2013 23:23 |
glen
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----- Original Message -----
From: Fabian Fang <ftf@mac.com>
On Oct 10, 2013, at 3:39 PM, glen wrote:
> On Oct 9, 2013, at 3:49 PM, mkehoe wrote:
>
>> A local Goodwill has a used iBook G4 (no ac power cord/charger) for $40.00. I can power it up with my power cord, but don't know how to get past the older user's password page to see what operating system and software are on it. I can't tell which model it is from looking at the case.
>>
>
> If you can find the serial number you can check out the original spec's at:
> http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
Finding the serial number of some iBook G4 models is more easily said than done:
<http://support.apple.com/kb/TA27282>
The OP may not be allowed to open up that unit before purchase.
------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------
Granted, but if the serial number is in the battery panel bay (as was mine) the OP only needs a coin to open the latch on the battery panel, remove the battery and note the number. It only takes about 30 seconds. The permission of the seller would be needed. --glen
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| Re: iBook G4 worth buying? [message #127343 is a reply to message #127304] |
Fri, 11 October 2013 01:28 |
mkehoe
Messages: 25
Registered: October 2013
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Good reminder... I can look...
On Thursday, October 10, 2013, glen wrote:
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Fabian Fang <ftf@mac.com <javascript:;>>
>
> On Oct 10, 2013, at 3:39 PM, glen wrote:
>
>> On Oct 9, 2013, at 3:49 PM, mkehoe wrote:
>>
>>> A local Goodwill has a used iBook G4 (no ac power cord/charger) for
> $40.00. I can power it up with my power cord, but don't know how to get
> past the older user's password page to see what operating system and
> software are on it. I can't tell which model it is from looking at the
> case.
>>>
>>
>> If you can find the serial number you can check out the original spec's
> at:
>> http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
> Finding the serial number of some iBook G4 models is more easily said than
> done:
> <http://support.apple.com/kb/TA27282>
>
> The OP may not be allowed to open up that unit before purchase.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------
>
> Granted, but if the serial number is in the battery panel bay (as was
> mine) the OP only needs a coin to open the latch on the battery panel,
> remove the battery and note the number. It only takes about 30 seconds. The
> permission of the seller would be needed. --glen
>
> --
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