Macbook experts, help me!

**line6man** · #1 02-28-2010, 10:31 AM

Ok, here's the story:

I just moved last month, and the couple that lived here pretty much just left us everything they owned, because they didn't want to bother taking it out of state with them.

I found a Macbook in the closet (I also found an iPod, which I've since sold to a fellow TB'er.) along with a little remote control thing and a power cord, but no power supply.
I decided to spend about $20 on eBay to buy a power supply so that I could fire this thing up and see if it works.

I got my power supply in the mail yesterday, plugged it in and turned on the computer...
It booted up to a program called "Data Rescue II", which is apparently some kind of drive scrubber software.
I found out that this program was booting up off of a CD in the disk drive.
I removed the disk and restarted.
When I boot up the computer it simply brings up a blank gray screen with no mouse or keyboard functions.

I'm guessing that there is no OS installed?

Aside from my iPhone, I know absolutely nothing about Macs, because I'm a Windows guy.
What's going on with this computer, and how do I get it up and running?

My goal is to sell this computer for as much money as I can make off of it. Would I make more money selling it as-is for parts, or if I paid for an OS and got it up and running and then sold it?

Any ideas what it's worth, both now and with an OS installed?

Radical Edward · #2 02-28-2010, 10:43 AM

There could be a number of things wrong with it,.. Try putting the new OS on it and see what happens. If you can get it up and running again it could fetch you between $500 and $1,000 depending on what model it is. Without knowing what it's specs are, there's no way of giving a closer estimate of how much it'll go for.
In my opinion.
It looks a lot like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-MacBook-MB...#ht_500wt_1182
Hope this helps.

TheDarkReaver · #3 02-28-2010, 10:52 AM

I'm not too sure, but I guess you'll need a boot disc or something to get it up again.

Here's some scant model details though:

Group1: MacBook
Group2: nothing
Generation:
ModelCode:
CPU speed: 2.0GHz
Screen size: 13 inch
Colour: White
Memory - number of slots: 2
Factory: W8 (Shanghai China)
Production year: 2007
Production week: 22 (June)
Production number: 257 (within this week)

fdeck · #4 02-28-2010, 11:06 AM

If you're a Windows guy, then install Windows on it. Or use unetbootin to create a bootable Linux CD that lets you explore the hard drive and confirm that all of the hardware functions work before selling it.

**line6man** · #5 02-28-2010, 11:07 AM

Is this what I need in order to install the OS?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-APPLE-MAC-SN...item3caa9e1803

Apparently there is quite a difference in the cost of Windows and Mac based OSs. Windows OSs cost hundreds for a full install, but it looks like a full Mac OS can be had for under $100?

I'm already in $20 for that power supply I bought.
If I go in another $56, could I sell this computer for parts for at least $80 to make back what I spent on it if I can't get it up and running?

**line6man** · #6 02-28-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

use unetbootin to create a bootable Linux CD that lets you explore the hard drive and confirm that all of the hardware functions work before selling it.

Can you elaborate on this?

How much will it cost to do that?

Rocinante_x1 · #7 02-28-2010, 11:43 AM

take it to your nearest apple store. They'll sort it out and help you with what you're needing. I've seen this before on my company commander's macbook, and its because the OS is absent. all you have to do is install MAC OSX on it and it'll be up and running again

**Mark Wilson** · #8 02-28-2010, 01:07 PM

Just get a macbook wheel.

fdeck · #9 02-28-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

Can you elaborate on this?

How much will it cost to do that?

For any of the popular Linux distributions, you can download an .ISO file, which is the entire contents of a bootable CD-ROM. You put it on a CD, and now you can boot a computer with that OS. Once you are booted, you can explore the hardware features of the computer.

Otherwise you can use a free program called unetbootin to create a bootable USB flash drive which accomplishes the same thing. Of course the computer has to be capable of booting from CD-ROM or flash drive, but if a Mac has similar hardware to a PC, then you could be in luck.

All of this is free, except for your time spent downloading and fiddling around.

It is true that there is a difference in price between Windows and Mac OS, if you buy them off the shelf. On the other hand, practically nobody buys a fresh copy of Windows. It either comes with a computer, or you buy an "upgrade." I've never paid retail price for Windows.

OTOH if you install the MacOS, then you have a running Mac that you can sell as a Mac. Since Macs command higher resale prices than PC's, it might pay for the cost of the OS.

L-A · #10 02-28-2010, 03:45 PM

Are you willing to pay a power supply + a single OS license to own a fully-working Macbook?

Otherwise, you can probably sell it for ~500 minus the cost of Leopard. Which I can't find; Apple doesn't seem to sell it anymore. Apple stores probably carry leftover copies.

fdeck · #11 02-28-2010, 05:18 PM

Find a bass player who owns an identical computer, and trade it for some gear.

**line6man** · #12 02-28-2010, 05:35 PM

I was PM'd with an offer of $200 for the Macbook, as it is right now.
I'm trying to decide if I should just take that.

So provided that the hardware and everything is functional as it should be, it would simply be a matter of purchasing and installing the Snow Leopard OS, and then this Macbook would be worth about $500?

Are there any aspects I am overlooking in the for sale value, such as any preloaded software that would have come from the factory or something of the sort?

**line6man** · #13 02-28-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

For any of the popular Linux distributions, you can download an .ISO file, which is the entire contents of a bootable CD-ROM. You put it on a CD, and now you can boot a computer with that OS. Once you are booted, you can explore the hardware features of the computer.

Otherwise you can use a free program called unetbootin to create a bootable USB flash drive which accomplishes the same thing. Of course the computer has to be capable of booting from CD-ROM or flash drive, but if a Mac has similar hardware to a PC, then you could be in luck.

All of this is free, except for your time spent downloading and fiddling around.

It is true that there is a difference in price between Windows and Mac OS, if you buy them off the shelf. On the other hand, practically nobody buys a fresh copy of Windows. It either comes with a computer, or you buy an "upgrade." I've never paid retail price for Windows.

OTOH if you install the MacOS, then you have a running Mac that you can sell as a Mac. Since Macs command higher resale prices than PC's, it might pay for the cost of the OS.

Sorry for the dumb questions (Like I said, I'm a windows guy.

) but I'm really not sure how to proceed with this.

I went to the unetbootin website, and it gives me two download options, Linux and Windows.

My (Windows Vista) computer does not know what to do with the Linux file and just asks me what program to open it with.
With the Windows file, I can open the program, but I'm not sure what to do. Which distribution do I choose?

beelzelboss · #14 02-28-2010, 05:42 PM

well, when they come from the factory, they also have the latest iLife on them. Not a necessity, but a nice thing to have.

NJL · #15 02-28-2010, 10:52 PM

you can get Snow Leopard for it for about $30... i run it on my 2006 White Macbook - it runs great..

MIJ-VI · #16 03-01-2010, 12:17 AM

This includes specs. to help identify which MacBook model you have:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook

--------

A guide to installing Ubuntu 8.10 on a white Macbook:

http://fosswire.com/post/2009/3/how-...white-macbook/

But use the current version: Ubuntu Desktop 9.10 (32 bit) .iso instead (it's a live CD).

http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download

**line6man** · #17 03-01-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

I was PM'd with an offer of $200 for the Macbook, as it is right now.
I'm trying to decide if I should just take that.

Ok guys, I decided to take the offer.
The Macbook is now sold.

Thanks everyone for all the help though!
TalkBass is an awesome resource for info on just about anything.