How can I test the electrical system on an abandoned house?

[Peter Surowski]

How can I test the condition of an electrical system on a house where the power has been shut off? There's a deal I'm considering, it will be a good deal if the electrical system doesn't need to be completely ripped out and replaced. It will still be a good deal if it needs repair work here and there. But the owners have been neglecting the property for decades and the power hasn't been turned on in who-knows-how-long.

Do you know how I can approach this problem?