My Mac OS is version 10.5.8 can I update to the lastest OS?
I want to upgrade the OS but not sure if I can go straight to the latest OS or if I need to install another one first?
I want to upgrade the OS but not sure if I can go straight to the latest OS or if I need to install another one first?
10.6.3 would be your first target, then update (Free) to 10.6.8. But you don't say what model you have.
Check out via Apple menu > About this Mac > More info. Post back with model details but not serial number.
10.6.3 would be your first target, then update (Free) to 10.6.8. But you don't say what model you have.
Check out via Apple menu > About this Mac > More info. Post back with model details but not serial number.
Thanks. Its an iMac with a 2.4 Ghz intel core 2 Duo which I bought in 2008.
Hardware Overview:
Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac8,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: IM81.00C1.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.29f1
Also, when I install the new OS will all applications have to be reinstalled and will all the data on the HD be lost?
You can install Snow Leopard, Lion or Mountain Lion.
Mountain Lion will be released next week, so upgrade to Snow Leopard and buy it when it is launched. You will keep everything if you upgrade (do a backup before this)
Info deleted after previous post was deleted and my warning was not required.
No, the data should not be lost. You will need at least 1GB more of memory (3GB if you go further than 10.6.3 These are the minimum specs you will require.)
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP575
You can buy Snow Leopard from the Mac App store (and then you'll have access to the App store itself) Hooray.
Sorry
Oh I'll be backing up all the data before I upgrade the OS 😀
😉, no apology required.
Stedman
Thanks for the info. So first I need to upgrade to Snow Leopard and then I can jump to Mountain Lion? Its many years since I upgrade the memory in a pc. How easy is it to install new memory in the iMac? Didn't even think about memory being an issue :-(
Yes, you've got it in principle. Just a personal opinion though. Lion has not been surrounded with plaudits and hopefully, Mountain Lion will incorporate all the best parts.
Just the same, the cautious side of me suggests you sort out Snow leopard first (don't forget to update with the combpo updater) then wait for three months and let Mountain Lion bed down. You'll have enough fun with Snow Leopard to keep you occupied and it is an excellent OS.
In respect of memory, if you are UK based, Crucial .com is a good source and if you phone them they will talk to you about your needs. They supply video and pictorial guidance to fitting and I have to say, it is not difficult. I did it and I'm no techno man.
Good luck.
thanks seventy one. I'm in Australia so it'd be a long call to the UK. I just checked to see if the Mac has a 64 bit kernel and its only a 32 bit. Saw in another post that a min of 64 is required for mountain lion so not sure if I can upgrade that far. Thanks for the tip. I'll give snow leopard a try first.
cheers
Hello again,
And thank you for the stars. Seems just a little odd not to have 64 bit. Where did you check that?
Have you looked at Apple menu > About this mac > More info > Systems profile > Applications. The list it produces tells you if you have any 64 bit Apps. If you have ... well.
Great Aussi supporters here in my home ... except for the cricket.
Another post mentioned this:....
Your model must have a 64-bit EFI boot ROM. See OS X v10.6- Macs that use the 64-bit kernel
An easy way to tell if you are running a 64-bit kernel is to use the uname command-line program. Open the Terminal in the Utilities folder and enter the command line:
$ uname -a
Press RETURN.
The "x86_64" in the excerpt below means that you are running a 64-bit kernel. If the output showed "i386" instead, that would mean a 32-bit kernel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I did the above and it returned......
9.8.0 Darwin Kernel Version 9.8.0: Wed Jul 15 16:55:01 PDT 2009; root:xnu-1228.15.4~1/RELEASE_I386 i386
but like you say I have no issues running applications 😕
as for cricket....I only follow rugby
Before the install
Ensure your data (at least all Home folders) is backed up before you install. Hard disks can fail at any time so it is important to regularly backup to an external disk with Time Machine or a third party alternative. Inexperienced users should follow Apple's install advice but experienced users may prefer to do a clean install.
OS numbers and names
OS X 10.4.x - Tiger
OS X 10.5.x - Leopard
OS X 10.6.x - Snow Leopard
OS X 10.7.x - Lion
OS X 10.8.x - Mountain Lion
More about Macs
The Apple History site has specifications for every Mac ever produced: http://www.apple-history.com
Upgrade to Leopard
Those wishing to upgrade to Leopard should be aware that install disks can be expensive. Details: http://lowendmac.com/deals/best-os-x-leopard-prices.html Standard Leopard installers impose several hardware limitations including speed and RAM size but all these restrictions can be overcome. Google for details. Leopard works well at 500 MHz with 1 GB of RAM and many happy users have less than this.
Upgrade beyond Leopard
OSs beyond OS X 10.5.8 require an Intel processor. If in doubt click the apple at the top left of your screen and select 'About this Mac'. This will give you your OS number. Then click 'More Info' to see which processor you have. If it says PowerPC you cannot upgrade to Snow Leopard and above. If you have an Intel Mac it is well worth upgrading to Snow Leopard now and then considering other options after that. You can buy Snow Leopard here: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A
Upgrade to Lion
Information about upgrading Snow Leopard to Lion: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD256Z/A
Upgrade to Mountain Lion
Information about upgrading Snow Leopard or Lion to Mountain Lion: http://www.apple.com/osx/specs/
Important
My Mac OS is version 10.5.8 can I update to the lastest OS?