Old iMac with no OS. What can I install?

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Level 1

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Old iMac with no OS. What can I install?

Hello All,

I just got an older iMac for a song, however the OS was removed. I was told what the person thought the specs were, but before I buy an OS, I would like to verify. Is there a way to tell from some kind of BIOS like system (I know macs don't use a BIOS, but maybe some kind of diagnostic mode) or from something on the machine itself? Supposedly, it is a 2Ghz 20" with an Intel Duo Core, 250 GB hard drive and 2GB ram. If that is all true, what OS could I load? It will not be my main computer, got it primarily so I could play with a Mac, as I've never owned one.

Any help is greatly appreciate.

Amber

Posted on Jul 1, 2015 7:22 PM

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Answer 1

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babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Jul 1, 2015 8:04 PM in response to piper97a

This could be yours:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac_cd_2.0_20.html

If it is, it's a 2006 - 9 years old - and the original OS was Tiger (10.4.x) There isn't much of a chance to get a Tiger install disk, but it will run Snow Leopard (10.6.x) which was one of the best operating systems. Apple still sells the retail DVD for that (the version is 10.6.3) and you can update that to 10.6.8. Can't go further than that, but you should be happy with that and it will give you access to the app store.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

PS: If you can find your serial number on the bottom of the stand, you could call Apple just to ask exactly which model it is and which OS it came with.

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Answer 2

piper97a Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 26, 2015 2:59 PM in response to babowa

Thanks very much for your help. You had it perfect. I ordered Snow Leopard and it is running beautifully. Nice introduction to Apple OS. I really appreciate your help.

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Jul 26, 2015 3:17 PM in response to piper97a

Great to hear - enjoy!

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