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How much OS X and apps can I delete?

I'm trying to find out what and how I can delete as much as possible from my eMac so I can use it for Garage Band and internet only. I deleted most of the language files already. I'm trying to create as much space as I can so I can use it for just recording and surfing the net for music and video. I also want to keep Itunes. I would like to get rid of things like the mail, and whatever else is possible to get rid of so It will run faster and perform better for recording. Is this possible or even a good idea? Thanks.

eMac-OTHER

Posted on Mar 23, 2013 4:23 AM

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MichelPM

Level 10

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Posted on Mar 23, 2013 7:28 AM

What model eMac is this?

How much RAM is installed?

What version of OS X are your currently running?

How full is your hard drive?

Why not just simply purchase an external hard drive and store all of your data there?

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41 replies

RobbieDH Author

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Feb 1, 2014 2:46 PM in response to RobbieDH

Also, that link was for 1G. Should I have bought a 2G or does the computer have 1G already, and another makes 2G?

RobbieDH Author

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Feb 1, 2014 2:57 PM in response to MichelPM

I bought the RAM from OWC. Apple didn't have the any original discs. they gave me OS leopard instead. Only problem is I don't have a DVD drive. Need to figure out how to load it now. Do you know of any internal or external DVD drives that have burners too that would work? I'm a musician and I would like to burn my discs.

thanks for the help

MichelPM

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Feb 1, 2014 3:27 PM in response to RobbieDH

Hi Robbie!

It has been awhile!

Yes, there are external optical drives that will work with your eMac.

Actually, OWC (macsales.com) has both FireWire and USB 2.0 optical drives that should work with your eMac.

Here's the link.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/VLU2SD24XS/

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MR3F82SD24S/

RobbieDH Author

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Feb 1, 2014 3:32 PM in response to MichelPM

Hey Michel,

Yeah, life got busy, and I just put up with the computer. About a month ago I upgraded the RAM finally, and got the OS Leopard. Thanks for the links, I'll check them out.

RobbieDH Author

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Feb 1, 2014 3:36 PM in response to MichelPM

Do you know if they make a cable that I can buy that just plugs into my DVD so I can load this OS?

MichelPM

Level 10

80,980 points

Feb 1, 2014 3:41 PM in response to RobbieDH

A regular DVD player doesn't work like that.

You need a dedicated read/write optical drive that can actually transfer various types of data over USB or FW to a computer that can interpret that data from disc.

RobbieDH Author

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Feb 1, 2014 4:47 PM in response to MichelPM

Okay, I see. So I'm definitely going to need one of these. I'm not sure, can you see the message I replied to Allan? When I get the drive and put the OS in the computer, will it delete everything and be like brand new? Do I need to save my files, and will it eliminate all the bugs that are going on?

Thanks

MichelPM

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80,980 points

Feb 1, 2014 6:27 PM in response to RobbieDH

Robbie,

A quick note about RAM. You can install 2.0 GBs of RAM into your eMac.

I would advise that you install the max. 2 GBs of RAM as OS X 10.5 Leopard run like snail on only 1 GB of RAM.

My Mom's eMAc can only run on 1 GB of RAM plus the OS is running off an external FW hard drive (because the eMac's internal 60 GB hard drive went kaput) and it runs, but because of this double whammy, it runs fairly slowly compared to how it used to run on OS X 10.4 Tiger.

We had to update her eMac's OS X because she has an iPad that needed to be sync'd to a newer version of iTunes that was only available on OS X 10.5 Leopard.

So, you really need to install the full 2GBs of RAM.

My own G4 1.25 Ghz tower PowerMac ran OS X 10.5 Leopard great on 2 GBs of RAM.

MichelPM

Level 10

80,980 points

Feb 1, 2014 6:52 PM in response to RobbieDH

It is a very good idea and prudent to have a good backup of all your important data.

Either backup to CDs/DVDs, USB Flash drive/s or external hard drives that you must purchase.

If your plan is to erase/reformat your internal hard drive and completely reinstall OS X 10.5 Leopard, then having a backup of your data is needed and crucial.

On another note about an external optical drive, does your eMac's internal optical drive work and does it, at least read DVDs. You can test this by installing an older DVD movie disc into your drive. An older DVD movie disc won't have the encryption protection that most fairly new DVDs have now. I don't think more recent DVDs will play on your eMAc if it has DVD read capability.

Then, you wouldn't need to purchase an external optical drive if the one in your eMac works and, at least reads DVD discs. You could even see if your Leopard install disc will work in your eMac's optical drive.

eMac models either shipped with just a CD read/write drive, CD read/write, DVD read drive OR a CD/DVD read/write drive.

It would be good to know which one your eMac has.

RobbieDH Author

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Feb 5, 2014 11:33 AM in response to RobbieDH

Hey guys, I was wondering if I could get some advice/help with uninstalling OS X 10.4 and installing 10.5.6? I bought an optical drive and transferred my documents, desktop, pictures, movies and music to a flash drive. Now I'm lost on how to go any further. I just want to delete everything possible and make it as new as I can. I do want to keep Garage Band though. Not sure if Leopard has it.

Thank you very much,

Robbie

RobbieDH Author

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Feb 5, 2014 11:34 AM in response to MichelPM

Thank you very much,

Robbie

MichelPM

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Feb 5, 2014 12:41 PM in response to RobbieDH

You do not have to uninstall 10.4.

You can install OS X 10.5 right over 10.4 by completely erasing your hard drive and reformatting the drive.

Here's a link to properly installing OS X.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing+Mac+OS+X+10.5+Leopard/751

RobbieDH Author

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Feb 5, 2014 1:43 PM in response to MichelPM

Unfortunately this isn't working. I followed the instructions on the page. All it does is show me a refresh arrow, a pic of a hard drive, and an arrow to the right. Hit the arrow to the right, and it boots up like normal to the log in page. I down loaded the tool, it says it is unsupported on my system.

If OS X 10.4 has a problem, won't that continue if I don't erase it?

MichelPM

Level 10

80,980 points

Feb 5, 2014 4:34 PM in response to RobbieDH

There is NO TOOL you need to download or install other than having an OS X 10.5 Leopard disc!

You did not need to click that link on that page. I linked that page to give you the procedures for installing OS X 10.5. Not to download anything.

Try starting from the optical drive by restating your Mac and hold down the C key until the disc in the optical boots.

Is this optical drive connect by USB drive or FireWire?

I am not sure, but I do not think older PowerPC eMacs can boot from a USB drive. I think it needs to be a FireWire connected drive.

Both optical drives and hard drives on older PowerPC Macs, if memory serves, can only boot over FireWire.

If this optical drive is connected via USB, it may not boot.

Try holding down the C key at startup or restart and wait and see if the disc in the optical drive boots up.

RobbieDH Author

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Feb 5, 2014 5:21 PM in response to MichelPM

I went through the directions on the page first and it didn't work. Then I went to the tool link after that.

The leopard disc loads and is on my desk top. The problem is, when I click to install, another screen comes up with a big X that says restart. Then asks for password. I do this, it restarts, and put in my password, finder comes up... then that's it.

Now, the problem with holding C is... when this computer restarts, the first page is a whit page. It says Open firmware type "mac-boot" the boot, "shut-down" to shutdown. If I hold C before this, nothing will happen. If after I type in mac-boot, it goes to a black screen and starts showing all the info loading all the way down the screen. White letters and numbers booting up. If I hold C now, I get this... cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc. I stop, then it will finish, and go to a blue screen with a small file folder with the finder logo, then to the log in page. I log in, finder loads... like normal. I four "ways" to supposedly install online as well, and none of them work either.

for some reason, the installer doesn't give me the nest step after my first description I gave you. Is this firmware stopping the process?

This seems like it shouldn't be this hard. It's ridiculous that this has to be so complicated. Do you know how to get rid of this firmware so my computer can start normal? The USB drive seems to be working, I mean, it loaded Leopard and it's on my desk top. I don't know... I'm getting frustrated and feel like I should just throw it away. It's not worth the headache....

How much OS X and apps can I delete?