How to get my 2007 iMac to accept the iLife installation disc?

The only sure way you can get the original OS installed is with the original install disks; at that time they were still made for that particular build on the Mac, so it will be close to impossible to find some - if you do, the price will be more than what your machine is worth. The only other way would be if you had made a clone of your system and you could clone it back. The recovery system wasn't implemented until later - it may work, but may not. If it does offer to install it - go for it.

Your iLife and other DVD are just apps and have nothing to do with the operating system which is what you need for a computer to work. The apps then work with and through that. However, depending which Mac OS may get installed through recovery, you an try to install those after you have a working OS on your Mac. They may work or be rejected because they are outdated.

That DVD doesn't contain the OS. You need to use one which does.

(218738)

There were two Disc's that originally came with that iMac. As I remember it, Disc 1 contained the OS X Installer plus Utilities and Disc 2 contained iLife and the Apple Hardware Test.

A 15 year old Mac is not going to be much good for anybody, especially not for kids looking to play modern games.

I have grandkids too so I get entirely giving them gifts, grandparents have special dispensation to spoil their grandkids. But this old girl should be given a permanent rest.

If it doesn't contain the OS, it can't be used for the installation. Otherwise, restart with the disk in the drive and the C or Option key held down.

ku4hx: I'm on a Mac of that age, and it works fine for me.

(218736)

I have a 1999 Ford F150 pickup that's dear to my heart so to speak, runs good, decent milage, comfortable .... slightly over 314,000 miles on it. But it's a toy. It does work just fine, the dogs love to hop in it and ride ... across town but no further. It's just not a good idea to trust that nostalgic Dinosaur to anything important. Just not worth it. Same for the 30 year old range, dishwasher and microwave oven we replaced in January. Worked just fine .... mostly, but there comes a time to visit the present even for us old dogs.

I guess our ideas of "fine" are just different which is perfectly acceptable.

The big issue I've encountered with old Macs with outdated operating system is that current web site seldom support old browsers. What browser you can run are constrained by web pages. I'm sure your grands need web access but that model may not allow them what they need.

Unfortunately, most modern browsers require macOS 12.X or higher, and a Mid 2007 iMac can only be updated as far as OS 10.11.

Google Chrome will run on 10.11 but puts huge demands on the hardware; a 2007 iMac may choke on a dose of Chrome.

You cannot use the Apple multi-port adapter for the data transfer over USB-C. The USB-C port on the multiport adapter is meant only for attaching the charger to the laptop. See the Apple product page where it specifically mentions "USB-C Charging Cable":

USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter - Apple