Q: need help getting from 10.5.8 to 10.6.

Choose About this Mac from the Apple menu and check the processor.

If it's a PowerPC Mac, it's already running the newest OS it can.

If it's a Core Duo Mac, click here, install the DVD, and run Software Update.

If it's a Core 2 Duo or better Mac, upgrade it as if it was a Core Duo Mac, and once done, if desired, open the Mac App Store and try downloading Yosemite. If you get told it's incompatible, go to the online Apple Store and order a download code for Lion 10.7.

Mac OS X 10.7 and newer don't support PowerPC software such as Microsoft Office 2004. If you upgrade the OS, back up the computer first.

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If you are not sure of what you are doing,If you are worried about losing anything when doing a major systems upgrade/update,

Before embarking on a major OS upgrade, it would be wise, advisable and very prudent if you backup your current system to an external connected and Mac formatted Flash drive OR externally connected USB, Thunderbolt or FireWire 800, Mac formatted hard drive. Then, use either OS X Time Machine app to backup your entire system to the external drive OR purchase, install and use a data cloning app, like CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper, to make an exact and bootable copy (clone) of your entire Mac's internal hard drive. This step is really needed in case something goes wrong with the install of the new OS or you simply do not like the new OS, you have a very easy way/procedure to return your Mac to its former working state.

Older version of CarbonCopyCloner found here.

http://mac.filehorse.com/download-carbon-copy-cloner/2734/

Older versions of SuperDuper can be found on the SuperDuper Website and Homepage.

http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html

Then, determine if your Mac meets ALL minimum system install requirements.

Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard system requirements

Purchased Installer disc here.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

To install Snow Leopard for the first time, you must have a Mac with:

An Intel processor

An internal or external DVD drive, or DVD or CD Sharing

At least 1 GB of RAM (additional RAM is recommended)

A built-in display or a display connected to an Apple-supplied video card supported by your computer

At least 5 GB of disk space available, or 7 GB of disk space if you install the developer tools.

In addition, see this discussion for more relevant info that you may need if you have any other questions or issues.

Snow Leopard upgrade - keeps Photoshop?

Click here and follow the instructions.

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