ipod needs new operating system

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ipod needs new operating system

Hi there,

I've just bought the new 120gb ipod classic, and was a little irritated to find it wasn't compatible with my ibook G4, because I apparently have an out of date operating system. I've been searching for a solution but it seems more complicated than I first thought.

First, I was told I just needed to get "Leopard" on disc, and install it, and I'd be OK. Eighty-five quid I wasn't banking on spending, but there we are.

But then a mate of mine told me this would only work if I had at least a gig of free RAM. I haven't got the faintest idea what this means, but it turns out I can buy some extra RAM. Forty quid I wasn't banking on spending, but there we are.

But then, I was told that unless I had "firewire" the software update wouldn't work anyway because it came as a DVD and I only have a CD drive.

I'm now utterly baffled. All I want is for my new ipod to work! I don't care about new operating systems, RAM, firewire etc.

Can anybody out there please explain (in the simplest terms possible, so my small brain can cope) how to sort this out?

Yours hopefully....

ibook G4, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Oct 17, 2008 11:06 AM

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Answer 1

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Oct 17, 2008 3:38 PM in response to RadonSoulTip

You need to upgrade to either "Tiger" (10.4) or "Leopard" (10.5) in order to use your iPod. (BTW, the minimum specifications are on the box and state you have to have at least 10.4.11). If you call AppleCare you can still buy Tiger through them and I think you can then avoid the memory upgrade (although it wouldn't hurt). You also need to tell them you have a CD drive and not a DVD and see if they have any remedy for you. Firewire applies only if you are going to try to update your computer from a different computer connected via Firewire, and you should have a Firewire port on your computer. Or, you can but an external DVD drive that uses Firewire and connect it to your computer.

If you call AppleCare they can explain all this to you in detail, or you can return the iPod and look on eBay for an older model that works with Panther (10.3).

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Answer 2

RadonSoulTip Author

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Oct 17, 2008 4:33 PM in response to deggie

Thanks for your response. Does anyone else think it's a bit laborious to have to go through all this just to buy a new ipod (from apple after all).

So, as I see it, my options are...

1. Upgrade to Tiger or Leopard (if my ibook accepts the DVD)
2. Buy an external DVD drive (not ideal really, as I only need it for this purpose)
3. Update my operating system via another computer
4. Buy a new ibook!
5. Buy an old ipod!
6. Buy a non-apple MP3 player

Another thing that's been mentioned to me is that my ibook may not have enough RAM to enable the upgrade. Do you know about this?

I don't to appear anti-apple, as I'm sure everyone on this forum are apple fans, but it seems to me they're making life tough for someone who just wants to buy one of their products.

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Answer 3

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Oct 17, 2008 5:33 PM in response to RadonSoulTip

You can't buy a new iBook, they have not been made for some time. How old is your computer?

You can do a search here and read lots of discussions on this topic, but there are functions in Tiger (or Leopard) that are needed to make newer iPods function. Why not look for a used or refurbished MacBook with at least Tiger on it?

If you buy another MP3 player be sure to read the minimum requirements first.

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Answer 4

wmhoch

Level 1

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Nov 19, 2008 2:17 PM in response to deggie

I hope this is pertinent to this thread...

I happily use Win2K and have for 7 years. When my iPod died a month ago and I replaced it yesterday with a new nano, imagine my surprise when I found that my iTunes 7 was not compatible with the new generation of iPods. To upgrade to iTunes 8 I would have to install a new operating system! However, much to my relief this is not an OS issue as my ipod is clearly visible from my operating system, just not iTunes 8.

As a result I have found that there are many 3rd party applications that support new iPods and old OS's. I'm using MediaMonkey (Windows only) very happily without spending $ and hours for a less stable system simply to support a USB device.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 5

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Nov 19, 2008 2:31 PM in response to wmhoch

I quite understand that and have made recommendations to others using the seriously outdated W2K (which is much older than 7 years old) to use Media Monkey or other 3rd party apps. The one thing this solution cannot handle is upgrades, if apple releases a firmware update you are going to have to find someone with at least an XP machine to run iTunes and update it.

The OP in this thread has a Mac and uses OS X and there is nothing available as a workaround at this time. The new Nano clear states the OS's it is compatible with and W2K is clearly not listed.

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Answer 6

wmhoch

Level 1

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Nov 19, 2008 3:07 PM in response to deggie

We will burn the firmware bridge when we get to it. I had been using iTunes and my 1st Gen Nano happily until my older iPod died. This had nothing to do with my outdated OS.

The reason I am responding is to stress the incompatibility problem. There is no hardware compatibility issue with Win2K and 5th Gen Nano's. It is a mere USB device. At least for Windows, the compatibility issues begin and end with iTunes. The system requirements specs are misleading in this regard, since iTunes is not included in the package at all.

Clearly, if running an older OS, there may be a trade-off between up-to-the-minute functionality and system overhaul.

Also, my '91 Honda CRX still gets 40+mpg on the newest roads around. With that, I'll spare this forum the planned-obsolescence-cross-selling-proprietary-bloatware rant.

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Answer 7

Anavel0

Level 1

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Nov 19, 2008 9:13 PM in response to RadonSoulTip

Yeah it bites, but at the same time old car engines don't work in new cars. Unless you do a lot of work to them, and even then the results are very questionable.

The down fall to Macs working so well for so long, you never really have to update them. Unless you are a super tech person or doing very demanding work.

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