New to apple world need help

Im tj i just bought a powebook g4 used running on os x 10.4 i would like to update it and register it as my own how do i do that? Everytime i try to update it say sofware up to date but i cant install anything fro the apple store cause its say i need os 10.5 or later. Im new to the world if apple so if anyone can help me i would very much appreciate it.

PowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800), iOS 4.3.3

Posted on May 25, 2014 2:03 PM

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2 replies

May 25, 2014 6:39 PM in response to TAKEI

Hello, and welcome to Apple Support Communities discussions!


Your PowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800) computer can be upgraded to a later OS X version but not past OS X 10.5.8 Leopard. This would be accomplished by acquiring a retail DVD Leopard install disc, then after that is installed, the last update steps are available from the Apple servers, by using Software Update in the PB G4.


•PowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800) - Technical Specs:

http://support.apple.com/kb/sp91


•Apple Manual: PowerBook G4 15" FW800: tech; view online, download, print:

https://archive.org/details/apple-manual-powerbook-g4-15-fw800


The PowerPC computer series is vintage to obsolete, and so things such as web browsers and flash player are harder to come by and the computers with this architecture aren't seeing any recent upgrades. There are limits as to what you can do, and the software you can run, based on their being out-dated while new model hardware and software has passed them by.


To upgrade beyond Mac OS X 10.5.8, you'd need to buy a later series Macintosh with an Intel-based design configuration; those are different. They also have some vintage and limited upgrade possibilities, since early Intel models have also been by passed due to progress in both hardware & software.


•If you have noted the model PowerBook correctly,

the following info would apply; to further identify it:

IntroducedSeptember 2003
DiscontinuedApril 2004
Model IdentifierPowerBook5,2
Model NumberA1046
EMC1960
Order NumberM8980LL/A (Combo drive) M8981LL/A (SuperDrive)


•Limited upgrade in total RAM capacity:

Maximum Memory2.0 GB
Memory Slots2 - PC-2700 DDR333 200-pin SO-DIMM


•Uses ATA/IDE (PATA) HDD, if upgrade sought:

Hard Drive InterfaceUltra ATA/100 (ATA-6) PATA


{specs above from http://mactracker.ca download application}


So you may have to check with amazon or ebay or resellers of vintage

and obsolete Mac OS X system software (in retail pkg, not grey disc)

to locate the Mac OS X Leopard 10.5 DVD installer for an upgrade.


You could get a newer browser for Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.x from

a site such as TenFourFox, so you could go online...

http://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/


The PowerPC era of Mac computing has no support for latest Flash

Player from Adobe, so you'd have to get a vintage version for yours.


The Adobe site is the best place to be certain of the correct old one

and that can be problematic; Tiger 10.4 is very old. Leopard 10.5 also

is vintage/obsolete, but can use a slightly less ancient Flash Player.

http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player.html (see what yours has)


The older versions download page can be a headache to try & find

the correct one for either Tiger or Leopard system. There is a patch

that also is vintage that could update the last official flash player to

appear as a later one, that requires you to have Flash first, if lacking.


Anyway, rather than write a book with little feedback, I'm posting this

and you can ask any other questions or comments; perhaps someone

reading this may have some other advice or ideas on your purchase.


For a somewhat current computing experience, I'd recommend at least

a MacBook (late 2009/mid 2010) as Intel-based Macs see support in

browsers, software, and some updates.


Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

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