iMac M5521

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iMac M5521

I recently acquired an iMac M5521. It has both os x 10.1x and 9.2 classic. I am wondering if I can install a newer OS on this machine. It runs fine in the classic mode, but when I use the 10.1x mode the internet browser crashes. Also, when I try to enter a live chat site, it will load the room structure but will not initiate the chat or show the users in the room. I know that it has something to do with the age of the OS versus the modern technology of the internet, so I've been considering upgrading the OS to something newer in order to surf the net with minimal difficulty.
This machine has 256mb of ram and runs at 500mhz clock speed. If anyone knows of a Mac OS that will run on it, please let me know.

iMac M5521 (white), Mac OS 9.2.x, 256mb, 500 Mhz, white

Posted on Jan 6, 2011 8:38 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 6, 2011 9:11 AM in response to _CrAsH_

If you can find an old copy of OS X Tiger (10.4), that would probably work. Panther (10.3) should definitely work.

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Answer 2

_CrAsH_ Author

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Jan 6, 2011 9:37 AM in response to J D McIninch

Thank you. I'll try that

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Answer 3

Limnos

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Jan 13, 2011 8:47 PM in response to _CrAsH_

Read the system requirements. One thing that strikes me is your RAM is awfully low for just about any version of OSX, even if it does meet min. specifications for some. 500 MHz, while modest, should work okay for anything up to Tiger.

[Mac OS X: System requirements|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106163]

[OS 10.3 Panther requirements|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106163]

[Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger system requirements|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301341]

How much free space on the drive? OSX needs lot of free space. I usually leave 15GB free for Tiger.

Your browser issue, while easily related to the age of the browser and the OS, could also be exacerbated by too little RAM and too little free space on the hard drive.

There's several browsers suitable for older systems. I think Camino, Opera... Browse this forum and the Panther and earlier forum for ideas. The main hurdle will be any site requiring Flash since that is limited by the OS version.

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