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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

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    Make sure the install disks are there and plan on buying a new harddisk...
    – Solar Mike
    Dec 2, 2018 at 7:37
  • Ok, I will do that. But what about other hardware issues? I have never owned a iMac G3 before this, but I use modern Mac OS.
    – Randall Hall
    Dec 2, 2018 at 16:37
  • I'm super curious what you intend to use this for; it doesn't sound like you're a vintage computer collector. Do you just like the aesthetics and want a good word processor?
    – Wowfunhappy
    Dec 6, 2018 at 0:23
  • I want to get into vintage computer collecting, but I haven't really been able to experience the original use of these computers. I do like the aesthetics, but that is just one factor in why I am buying this. But, I am not buying it for a word processor. I already have a MacBook Air (which I am using for this). I just want a way to test one that if I choose to buy one of the ones being sold in my area
    – Randall Hall
    Dec 6, 2018 at 21:00

3 Answers 3

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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.

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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    "Getting one with 'no problems' is a tall order and akin to buying a 'reliable classic car.'" This seems a bit severe? I've never bought vintage computers, but I have bought a number of "retro" game consoles in my time, and they all worked and still work to this day. Cars have a lot more moving parts and generally require more maintenance than computers.
    – Wowfunhappy
    Dec 6, 2018 at 0:20
  • The difference between a console and a computer is the demands put on the drive(s). Normally, console units load the software (game) into memory where it's used unlike a computer where's it's continually taxing it.
    – Allan
    Dec 6, 2018 at 0:28
  • Huh. Sounds like OP should really plan on replacing the hard drive, but I'd imagine the rest of the unit is fairly likely to be in working order? There's the CD Drive, but I imagine that probably wasn't running full tilt most of the day.
    – Wowfunhappy
    Dec 6, 2018 at 0:30
  • I don't imagine it being very clean. Maybe a good blast of compressed air will fix it, but if it was subject to any sort of moisture (i.e. humidity), the laser diode and/or lens may be damaged.
    – Allan
    Dec 6, 2018 at 0:36
  • For me, I am luckily buying in a place where the climate is dry, and not near a major body of water. But, dust is going to be an issue for me. But, a good blast of compressed air should totally fix it like @Allan said.
    – Randall Hall
    Dec 6, 2018 at 21:51
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I do agree with @Allan largely.

But to answer/elaborate the specific question: what you'd ideally want to do is run AHT. These used to be included on a partition of the install disks a machine would ship with, but the AHT (Apple Hardware Test) disk images are still available online. And though the AHT support page index is gone, you can find it preserved at the Internet Archive. So I wouldn't consider the lack of original install disks "the end of the world".

  • I actually wouldn't necessarily consider a bad HD a deal-breaker myself, either, depending on the model. They still make IDE/PATA hard drives. And one should be able to find disk images of old OS X and even Mac OS 9 versions pretty easily. With a paid Developer account, I believe Apple still hosts a Jaguar image (which includes an OS 9 image). Moreover, there were a lot of revisions of "G3" iMacs and assuming it isn't the original Bondi Blue, you might find one that can FireWire 400 option-boot to an external drive.

  • However, I can't re-emphasize enough the point about brittle plastic, and, in general, the difficulty in teardown and reassembly with a machine like this. I used to be an ACMT at a AASP back in the day, and these guys were a pain to repair back when they were still covered by AppleCare, and that was with service manuals and genuine replacement parts. And:

Most importantly, it can be quite dangerous to disassemble. Unless you're quite comfortable with your knowledge of how to properly discharge a CRT safely, its yourself I would be worrying about first, before cracking one of these open. You would also need to be properly grounded for the rest of any surgery you attempt, because those boards will fry with even the slightest amount of static. And if you needed to Google "discharge a CRT"—don't even think about it.

On the other hand, if the CD drive is working and you've burned the right version of AHT onto a blank disc, and it runs, I'd say you're good to go. I don't know about you, but an original, first-gen iMac, with all discs, etc., and with everything in fully working order, would almost certainly be well above my price-point.

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The main uses of the system should dictate a list of end-to-end tests. A couple examples:

Network/"Internet" access

I wouldn't get on the public network (none of your browsers will be secure), but you might want to at least have some transfer to your other home systems.

  • AirPort - it uses the older, original airport, it probably only talk to the old flying-saucer Airports.
  • Ethernet - your best bet. Everything is supposed to be 10mb compatible, but I'd bring the hub you will actually use, and at least get a green link-light on both sides.
  • Modem - This probably still works, but it depends on what you think of the words "hobby" vs. "fun".

Aging CD-drive

The HD drive concerns are valid, but also remember that your CD-drive is going to be getting old too. I had the CD-drive on a iMac G4 (lamp-style) fail, and soon after, the HD stopped spinning up, so for systems this old, you should think about both concerns.

Real mouse vs. "best" mouse

Some people loved the look of the "hocky-puck" mouse, others really disliked the feel. (I was neutral on that ), but I did find that a wired Mighty-mouse was my favorite mouse for this (it has "pill" shape that Apple stuck with when they upgraded).

If you will really use this system (for word processing of old games, etc.) you might want to get another mouse. You can even have two mice, if you need to compromise.

Printers

If you have legacy printer, of the right era, it will still work. With MacOS 10 you get a lot of language support out of the box, they make excellent non-internet "typewriters" for kids.

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    This is incorrect about "printers." Any modern printer that supports the LPR or PS protocols will work here. It's not limited to "legacy" printers.
    – Allan
    Dec 12, 2018 at 1:14
  • True, if they choose to run MacOS 10... and driver updates might be hard to do from a fresh install in today's world. There's too many Apple printers to sort out the classic compatibility here.
    – benc
    Dec 12, 2018 at 1:20
  • No. That is incorrect. Mac OS 9 also used the CUPS printing system which meant any LPR or PS printer will work. CUPS doesn't use printer drivers, they use PPD files which can be modified by the end user.
    – Allan
    Dec 12, 2018 at 9:51
  • I can edit the answer if you want to include CUPS, I didn't use that much, but I did a lot of work on Apple-made printers, which is what I was specifically referencing by "legacy". (We can't mark my answer community, anymore, can we?)
    – benc
    Dec 13, 2018 at 17:51

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