TS1394: Troubleshooting Mac OS X installation and software updates (Mac OS X v10.6 and earlier)

Learn about Troubleshooting Mac OS X installation and software updates (Mac OS X v10.6 and earlier)
lyndaapple

Q: How much free space do I have on macbook for upgrading?

I'm running Snow Leopard 10.6.8 and want to upgrade to Yosemite, which requires about 5.7 GB. When I go to About this Mac, I see that I have 4GB memory. But to upgrade I think I need 5.7 RAM. I don't know difference between GB in memory and RAM. How do I find out how much free space I have and if it's enough to download Yosemite? I have 2.4 GHz processor speed for my MacBook 7.1. Also, first time I tried downloading, I ran out of gigabytes from my broadband account. I bought more ( 6 GB) and then the downloading stopped and never completed? Could I have run out of gigabytes on broadband account again?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jan 12, 2015 10:59 AM

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Q: How much free space do I have on macbook for upgrading?

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jan 12, 2015 11:01 AM in response to lyndaapple
    Level 10 (314,412 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 12, 2015 11:01 AM in response to lyndaapple

    1. The 5.7GB requirement is for disk space, not RAM.

    2. Choose Computer from the Finder’s Go menu, control-click the internal drive, and select Get Info. Check the amount of available space.

     

    (120075)

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jan 12, 2015 11:18 AM in response to lyndaapple
    Level 5 (7,793 points)
    Notebooks
    Jan 12, 2015 11:18 AM in response to lyndaapple

    lyndaapple wrote:

     

    I'm running Snow Leopard 10.6.8 and want to upgrade to Yosemite, which requires about 5.7 GB. When I go to About this Mac, I see that I have 4GB memory. But to upgrade I think I need 5.7 RAM. I don't know difference between GB in memory and RAM. How do I find out how much free space I have and if it's enough to download Yosemite? I have 2.4 GHz processor speed for my MacBook 7.1. Also, first time I tried downloading, I ran out of gigabytes from my broadband account. I bought more ( 6 GB) and then the downloading stopped and never completed? Could I have run out of gigabytes on broadband account again?

     

    RAM is different to disk space. Niel's #2 instruction tell you how to check disk space. That is where the installer will be saved when you download it.

    Make sure the disk has well over 20-30GB free, the OS can perform badly if you fill the disk too full.

     

    Since you have 6GB a 'cap' on your downloads I'd strongly suggest that you do the following if you ever manage to download the installer…

    Wait for the download to complete, when the large window pops up prompting you to install OS X click Cancel.

    Now open the Applications folder, find the installer (called 'Install OS X Yosemite'). Copy that to another disk for safe keeping.

    When copied you can open the installer application from the Applications folder & continue to install OS X.

     

    The reason for making a copy is because the installer will delete itself after installation. If you ever need to re-run it you will need to download it again. This is not good when you have a download limit on your internet connection.

     

    Do you have access to any other internet connections? A friend, relative or business that has no download cap? It could be expensive to keep hitting your cap.

     

    P.S. The installer may restart instead of resuming the download, so it is possible that the entire 5.7 GB will need to be downloaded again.

  • by lyndaapple,

    lyndaapple lyndaapple Jan 12, 2015 1:05 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 12, 2015 1:05 PM in response to Niel

    Thanks. I have 75GB available.

  • by lyndaapple,

    lyndaapple lyndaapple Jan 12, 2015 1:11 PM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 12, 2015 1:11 PM in response to Drew Reece

    Thanks, Drew. I will try to Copy the installer to another disk. You're right that downloading OSX on the pay-as-you-go plan that I started last year after disconnecting my DSL can be expensive if I have to keep downloading Yosemite. The first time the incomplete download  ate up more than 12 hours. I'm seriously considering going back to DSL and using broadband-to-go just for travel.  Thanks for the heads up about  the deletion after installation.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jan 12, 2015 4:49 PM in response to lyndaapple
    Level 9 (73,966 points)
    iTunes
    Jan 12, 2015 4:49 PM in response to lyndaapple

    Check to make sure your applications are compatible. PowerPC applications are no longer supported after 10.6.      

     

    Application Compatibility


    Applications Compatibility (2)

     

    Do a backup before installing.

    Check how much RAM you have installed because 4 GB is usually the minimum amount for acceptable operation.  menu/About this Mac.