HT201541: Update the software on your Mac

Learn about Update the software on your Mac

Cultcab

Level 1 (0 points)

Q: OS Upgrade

My sister has an older iMac and she has asked me to help her upgrade her OS. Unfortunately, I'm a Windows guy, so I don't have much experience with MAC OS upgrades.

She has Leopard currently installed (10.5.8) and as I understand it, I need to purchase Snow Leopard from the Apple store and after I get that installed, then I can upgrade to El Capitan (no charge).

1. Is this sequence correct?

2. Are there any problem areas that I need to be wary of while doing the upgrades (i.e. will she lose programs/data, do I need to backup her system prior to the upgrade, etc.)?

Thank you!

Posted on Feb 1, 2016 11:00 AM

I have this question too

Q: OS Upgrade

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by Niel,

Niel Feb 1, 2016 11:05 AM in response to Cultcab
Level 10 (312,806 points)

Mac OS X

Feb 1, 2016 11:05 AM in response to Cultcab

1. Yes, if she's using a mid-2007 or newer iMac and it has at least 2GB of RAM.
2. Click here and check the applications for compatibility; in addition, she should have a backup in case something goes wrong or she wants to revert.

(139060)
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by BDAqua,

BDAqua Feb 1, 2016 11:15 AM in response to Cultcab
Level 10 (123,663 points)

Feb 1, 2016 11:15 AM in response to Cultcab

So we know more about it...

At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac, then click on More Info, then click on Hardware> and report this upto but not including the Serial#...

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac7,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 6 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.21f4
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by Cultcab,

Cultcab Apr 13, 2016 1:10 PM in response to BDAqua
Level 1 (0 points)

Apr 13, 2016 1:10 PM in response to BDAqua

I was finally able to get my sister's iMac updated with Snow Leopard, but I wasn't able to install El Capitan because she only has 1GB of RAM in her system. How difficult is it to upgrade it to 2GB? I have done this a few times on Windows systems but never on a MAC.

Here is the hardware overview:

Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac7,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.0 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.20f4
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by Kenichi Watanabe,

Kenichi Watanabe Apr 13, 2016 1:25 PM in response to Cultcab
Level 8 (38,833 points)

Mac OS X

Apr 13, 2016 1:25 PM in response to Cultcab

Is it this model?

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.0-20-inch-alu minum-specs.html

If so, it officially supports 4GB (6GB unofficially). You should go for at least 4GB, if you want to run El Capitan efficiently. Here's info from one vendor

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac/Intel_Core_2_Duo
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by Cultcab,

Cultcab Apr 13, 2016 1:38 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
Level 1 (0 points)

Apr 13, 2016 1:38 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

It looks like that model - I'm trying to use the serial number to identify it, but I'm getting an error on that webpage.

Thank you for the details on the memory sticks.
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by Kenichi Watanabe,

Kenichi Watanabe Apr 13, 2016 2:03 PM in response to Cultcab
Level 8 (38,833 points)

Mac OS X

Apr 13, 2016 2:03 PM in response to Cultcab

That's the only config that's an "iMac7,1" at 2.0 Ghz.
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by Cultcab,

Cultcab Apr 20, 2016 4:11 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
Level 1 (0 points)

Apr 20, 2016 4:11 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

I added the memory sticks and took the El Capitan update (along with the other associated updates).

I'm now running 10.11.4. Is this the most recent version of OS that I can have on this system (iMac, 20-inch, Mid 2007)?
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by Kenichi Watanabe,

Kenichi Watanabe Apr 20, 2016 5:13 PM in response to Cultcab
Level 8 (38,833 points)

Mac OS X

Apr 20, 2016 5:13 PM in response to Cultcab

10.11.4 is the latest version of OS X, until Apple releases the next incremental update to El Capitan.
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by a brody,

a brody Apr 26, 2016 6:45 AM in response to Cultcab
Level 9 (66,865 points)

Classic Mac OS

Apr 26, 2016 6:45 AM in response to Cultcab

If you find you still have need for older applications, read this tip:
http://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6271
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HT201541: Update the software on your Mac

Q: OS Upgrade

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by Niel,

by BDAqua,

by Cultcab,

by Kenichi Watanabe,

by Cultcab,

by Kenichi Watanabe,

by Cultcab,

by Kenichi Watanabe,

by a brody,

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