Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

10.4.11 & ancestry.com

I have a macbook osx 10.4.11 (Tiger), and suddenly I can not see public records on the ancestry.com system. I have a hunch I may need an adobe flash for this computer. Anyone know a reliable website for this? Thanks.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11), ancestry.com compatibility

Posted on May 13, 2015 7:45 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on May 13, 2015 8:02 PM

Tiger is quite old now, you may need to try a newer web browser.

See if you can view the site with TenFourFox - an older variant of Firefox for PPC Macs.

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

It may support the newer features used on some sites.


If Adobe Flash is the issue there will be a dialog or message that highlights that fact, you should only get flash from Adobe.com…

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/


Avoid downloading from any 'download aggregator' sites - they often bundle other junk with the installer. Sadly Adobe don't seem to offer downloads for 10.4 anymore on the main download page, so you may need to dig on Adobe.com for an older version…

https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html

12 replies
Question marked as Best reply

May 13, 2015 8:02 PM in response to george'smom

Tiger is quite old now, you may need to try a newer web browser.

See if you can view the site with TenFourFox - an older variant of Firefox for PPC Macs.

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

It may support the newer features used on some sites.


If Adobe Flash is the issue there will be a dialog or message that highlights that fact, you should only get flash from Adobe.com…

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/


Avoid downloading from any 'download aggregator' sites - they often bundle other junk with the installer. Sadly Adobe don't seem to offer downloads for 10.4 anymore on the main download page, so you may need to dig on Adobe.com for an older version…

https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html

May 13, 2015 8:33 PM in response to george'smom

Try going to Adobe.com using TenFourFox. I suspect you are using an ancient copy of Safari that may be considered insecure or unsupported by some sites.


I dare say the answers at the genius bar will be even more persuasive if you ask for help, these Macs are difficult to support. The internet has added many new standards but the hardware is about 10 years old, eventually something has to give.

May 14, 2015 9:45 AM in response to george'smom

You do not say which browser you are using or which version.


I actually use OSX 10.4.11 on an even older computer than yours. With TenFourFox 17 I can go to ancestry.com and see the main page with no messages or issues. I do not want to have to sign up for a free trial so I can't say if it works deeper into the system. I did go as far as a page which had a video requiring Flash and it worked with my setup. I run this older version of TenFourFox because it still supports Flash. The General TenFourFox link provided earlier is for the newest version which will not support any version of Flash. To do that you have to be running the version I am running and which can be downloaded from TFF's site but is kind of hidden.


Basically my TenFourFox setup dates from about a year and a half ago so it isn't the newest but I rarely encounter a site where it doesn't work. For sites requiring higher security I also have the newest TenFourFox. TenFourFox is essentially the same as Firefox and is equivalent to a modern browser for older machines, with a few limitations that nothing but a new machine can get around.


As for your flash version, you can probably update it. You are running an Intel computer which is newer than my PPC version. I know Adobe stopped supporting flash for PPC several years ago but they still support Intel as far as I know, and certainly there should be a newer version for you.


Oh, if you go to the Genius bar the person may vaguely remember Tiger OS and will look at you like some strange creature that has emerged from a dark cave and be completely puzzled as to why you would consider using a piece of technology that works perfectly well and will probably last a lot longer than anything computer manufacturers make today. Of course you have to buy the newest and best!! 😝


Okay, the bottom line is it could well be flash but without logging into the site to exactly the page you were trying we can't tell, particularly if you are seeing any error messages you are not telling us. Since you are running a newer computer than mine there are still many update options for you, even if not 100% the newest, but we don't know what browser you are using, or which version.

May 14, 2015 7:56 PM in response to Limnos

I'm using safari 4.1.3. I see everything on ancestry except the records, which are in some kind of video system that they call 'interactive,' but u can't get anyone in tech-support to talk to u. Yes, u r correct: one of the difficulties w/ Genius Bar service is they have no knowledge of this earlier model. They told me this computer can't add a newer operating system to it.


It's possible that the solution is easy. I don't know. It never tells me that the area requires flash when I try to check a record. The screen just goes black.


Thanks for trying to help.


gm

May 15, 2015 6:18 AM in response to george'smom

Try using Firefox. I don't know if you can install the newest version but I bet they kept up Tiger support for a lot longer than Apple did so you would be at least a few more years advanced on Safari 4.1


The site does use Flash, at least for the things I viewed. I opened it with my new browser which does not have Flash and I saw black boxes where video appeared with my older browser with Flash.


A MacBook can be upgraded to at least OSX 10.6 and possibly even higher depending upon the exact specifications. You cannot upgrade to the newest OSX version and that is what they probably meant. Upgrading to a higher OS requires you purchase a 10.6 DVD which they do not sell in Apple Stores, only online.


1) Make sure your computer meets Snow Leopard technical specifications - http://support.apple.com/kb/SP575 This mostly means making sure it is an Intel Mac and has at least 1GB RAM (at least 2 GB is recommended). Go to the Apple in the upper left corner of any window to "About This Mac". To check RAM continue to "More Info...". It should say you have at least 1GB of "memory".


2) Buy a Snow Leopard disc from Apple online


http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard - USA


http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard - UK


or telephone Apple. In the USA: (800) 676-2775 (contact information for other countries: http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57)


Alternatively you can buy from online retailers but anticipate paying much more than the original price which is the price still charged by Apple


3) Backing up your computer before upgrading is always a good idea.


4) After installing from the DVD, update your Snow Leopard installation using Software Update or manually downloading and installing the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v.1.1 - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399


If you are using old (PPC generation) software you may want to install Rosetta as well which I believe is an optional installation.

May 15, 2015 11:37 AM in response to george'smom

Ditch Safari!!!


Try another web browser.



OmniWeb uses the lastest Safari framework. The open source WebKit. Other browsers like Safari and iCab use the OS version of WebKit. The OmniWeb downloaded dmg includes it's own copy of the latest WebKit.

http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omniweb/



TenFourFox -- It's a port of the latest FireFox to run on older hardware and software.

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


iCab - The Taxi for the Internet

http://www.icab.de/



Ask about installing flash when you need it.

May 17, 2015 2:13 PM in response to rccharles

Those "tweaks" are necessary to get Flash to even work with TFF 17. Newer versions block Flash completely, even with tweaks. If you want TTF+Flash you have to run TFF version 17 which in itself will lead to occasional Internet issues because 17 is fairly old now. I keep two versions of TFF on this computer, TFF17 for sites with Flash and the newest TFF for sites where I want better security or they have features which require a newer browser. If they require security + Flash then I am lost (not encountered so far).

10.4.11 & ancestry.com

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.