Refurbished PC sale: run a baseline check first

Before you sell a refurbished PC, check that its keyboard, screen, sound, camera, network, and other basic hardware respond as expected. A simple baseline can catch obvious problems before the buyer does, and gives you a clearer record of the computer’s condition.

Test Everything runs the available checks step by step and produces a report. It works in your browser, but it is not a full repair diagnostic or a guarantee that every component is fault-free.

Run a baseline check

1. Open Test Everything on the computer you plan to sell. Save your work, close other apps, and connect the PC to power before starting. Some performance checks put the processor or graphics system under load.
2. Follow the test sequence and check each item that matters to the sale. Try the keys, mouse, screen, speakers, camera, microphone, and network. If you want to check the camera or microphone, allow browser access when prompted.
3. For a laptop, note whether battery information is available and whether the battery reports that it is charging when plugged in. The Battery Meter appears only if the browser reports a battery.
4. Review the report and save a copy with the sale records. Note the date, whether the PC was plugged in, and anything you skipped or could not test. Avoid presenting a browser report as a professional inspection.

Run the check while the computer is in a normal, stable state. If Windows is installing updates, a large file is copying, or another demanding task is running, wait until it finishes. Background activity and heat can affect performance results.

Understand what the results mean

The basic checks respond as expected

If keys register, the screen displays the test patterns, and the selected sound devices respond, those parts passed a basic functional check in the browser. That is useful evidence for a sale, but it does not rule out intermittent faults, worn parts, or problems that only appear after longer use.

A test shows an unexpected result

Repeat that part of the check after restarting the computer and closing other apps. For example, if the microphone is silent, try another input device before concluding the built-in microphone is broken. If one display color looks wrong, check the monitor connection and repeat the test on the same screen.

A check is unavailable

An unavailable result does not automatically mean the hardware is faulty. The browser may not support that test, the computer may not have that device, or the operating system may block access. A laptop browser may also report only a rounded hint about RAM, not the exact installed amount.

Performance results vary between runs

Processor, graphics, memory, and storage results can change with power settings, background tasks, and device temperature. Treat them as a snapshot of performance in those conditions, not as a complete specification or a direct measurement of how every application will run.

Fix common problems before retesting

1. Restart the PC and close background apps. A restart can clear a stuck device or a program that is using the camera, microphone, or audio output. Let updates finish before you run the check again.
2. Allow access to the camera and microphone. In Windows 11, open Settings › Privacy & security › Camera or Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone and check access for apps. On a Mac, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera or System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and allow the browser if you are testing those devices.
3. Choose the correct sound devices. On Windows 11, go to Settings › System › Sound and check the selected input and output. On a Mac, open System Settings › Sound and select the intended input or output. Check physical mute switches and headset connections too.
4. Reconnect external devices. Unplug and reconnect a keyboard, mouse, camera, or headset. If possible, try another USB port and test one device at a time. For Bluetooth devices, confirm that they are connected and have charge.
5. Check for system updates. In Windows 11, open Settings › Windows Update. On a Mac, open System Settings › General › Software Update. If a device still fails after an update and restart, inspect its driver or have the machine checked by a technician.
6. Repeat only the affected check. Once you have changed a setting or connection, run the relevant test again. Record both the original result and the retest if you want to show what was fixed.

When the result points to hardware

A fault is more likely if the same problem appears repeatedly after a restart, with other apps closed, and with a known-good cable or accessory. For a screen issue, check whether the mark remains visible outside the browser test. For a port or accessory issue, compare another port or device. If a fault persists, describe it plainly to the buyer, or get a repair estimate before listing the PC. Replace or repair hardware only after confirming the issue outside a single browser check.

Keep the baseline in context

A browser-based check can show that a device responds during a short test. It cannot confirm every detail of the hardware, predict how long a used component will last, or certify the computer’s condition. A report is most useful when it includes the test date and conditions, and when you disclose any failed or unavailable checks honestly.