Considering buying used Mac Pro. What tests should I run?

[zopiro]

I'm buying a used 5,1 Mac Pro from this guy on a local auctions site.

I've looked at the machine and it appears to be fine. I'm only suspecting he might be hiding something because it's a very low price for the local market.

It's even possible the warranty is still valid, because he bought less than a year ago.

What should I test for? Any specific programs I should run? Also, what can I check for that would void the warranty?

 

[GGJstudios]

It's even possible the warranty is still valid, because he bought less than a year ago.

You can verify remaining warranty/AppleCare coverage for any Mac by entering the serial number here.

 

[tamvly]

I'd start by looking at System Preferences and go though the whole tree noting what elements exist on the machine.

Second, I'd run the Disk Utility looking at each disk. Then I'd do a Repair Permissions.

Then I'd run a Geekbench (which requires that the Mac Pro be connected to the Internet to download the free version if it has been installed already).

I believe there is also a Hardware Test program from Apple, but don't quite recall where it lives. You may have to find it and install it. I'm sure others in the forum know.

Oh, and I would also look at Software Update to see what has not been installed.

 

[ActionableMango]

I'm buying a used 5,1 Mac Pro from this guy on a local auctions site.

I've looked at the machine and it appears to be fine. I'm only suspecting he might be hiding something because it's a very low price for the local market.

If it's an auction, isn't the price determined by the winning bidder?

An initial low price means nothing. Seller could simply be luring in bidders, and auction fees are often based in part by the initial offering price.

 

[zopiro]

If it's an auction, isn't the price determined by the winning bidder?

An initial low price means nothing. Seller could simply be luring in bidders, and auction fees are often based in part by the initial offering price.

Although it's on an ebay-like site, it's a "Buy it now" kind of deal, and not an auction.

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You can verify remaining warranty/AppleCare coverage for any Mac by entering the serial number here.

Thanks. It appears to be still covered. However, he might have done something to the machine that would void its warranty. In case he's hiding something, what should I check for? I know that iPhones and macbooks have liquid sensors that we can check, but on the Mac Pro I know of nothing similar.