ENIGMACODE
Level 1 (93 points)
Desktops

Q: Using Snow Leopard 10.6.8

Hi Gang

 

Regarding a friend's iMac MA877LL Upgraded To 'Maverick' and having numerous freezes and other unresolved issues, I'm about to reformat and go back to Snow Leopard. Note that this person does not use any professional applications of any kind. She'd like to go back and use the Email program and version of Safari that originally came with this roughly 9 year old iMac. 

 

She has all the original discs and will back up anything necessary.

 

I'm totally familiar with the reformat process but have a few questions regarding 10.6.8:

 

Considering Apple discontinued support for Snow Leopard, there's still many folks out there who are satisfied using 10.6.8. I'd just like to know if there's any possible 'Head's Up' issues regarding security, Safari, the email client within 10.6.8, or anything else?

 

Is there a Safari Update available (within 10.6.8), that might add some security if that's an issue? Or perhaps installing Mozilla for Mac would be beneficial in any way? 

 

Thank You!

Mike

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8), FC7

Posted on Apr 10, 2016 1:24 PM

by ENIGMACODE,Solvedanswer
ENIGMACODE ENIGMACODE
Level 1 (93 points)
Desktops
A:

Thank you Limnos!

 

Yep - Mozilla will work with 10.6.8 - That's all I'm concerned about:

 

Requirements for iMac MA877LL with an Intell Processor:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac

 

Specs for MA877LL:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.4-20-inch-alu minum-specs.html

 

Thanx again

Mike

Posted on Apr 10, 2016 7:43 PM

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ENIGMACODE

Q: Using Snow Leopard 10.6.8

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  • Helpful answers

  • by theratter,

    theratter theratter Apr 10, 2016 1:54 PM in response to ENIGMACODE
    Level 4 (3,917 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 10, 2016 1:54 PM in response to ENIGMACODE

    Currently, there are now quite a number of websites that require newer versions of Safari. That requires upgrading OS X which may not be possible with certain 2007 models: iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 7,1 or later. To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right.

     

    If you wipe the drive you need to install Snow Leopard In order to upgrade further. That means she must have a copy of the retail Snow Leopard DVD. If she does not have that: You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.

     

    After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store.

     

    She can download El Capitan or Mavericks. Mavericks will be found in her Purchases page of the App Store from which she can re-download it. El Capitan would be a new download.

     

    Please see the following: Basic Steps for Upgrading OS X, How to install or reinstall OS X on your Mac, and Upgrade to OS X El Capitan.

     

     

  • by ENIGMACODE,

    ENIGMACODE ENIGMACODE Apr 10, 2016 3:47 PM in response to theratter
    Level 1 (93 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 10, 2016 3:47 PM in response to theratter

    Thanx for the reply

     

    As mentioned I'm totally familiar with the format process including installing the 10.6.8 Combo Update. I have all the neccessary dics. As mentioned she'd like to use the Email Client/Program that was bundled with Snow Leopard and possibly upgrade the Browser.

     

    Your comment:

    "Currently, there are now quite a number of websites that require newer versions of Safari."  I suspected this, that's why I was inquiring about possibly bringing the Browser up to snuff, (but within 10.6.8), or perhaps using Mozilla for Mac instead of Safari. We're trying to avoid updating the OS because of previous issues and not enough RAM. El Capitan is out of the question.

     

    I'm sure there's plenty of people who still use Snow Leopard. I guess the question is, just how much content will she really miss if using an older Browser? But again, perhaps she can get around this by using a Browser other than Safari provided its compatible with 10.6.8

     

    Thanx again

    Mike

  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Apr 10, 2016 7:43 PM in response to ENIGMACODE
    Level 9 (54,649 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 10, 2016 7:43 PM in response to ENIGMACODE

    Firefox is the recommended browser for Snow Leopard users if you are concerned about being up to date, but even Firefox will soon be dropping support for SL.

     

    I don't know about missing content.  Until a month ago I used a Mac running Tiger OS (10.4.11). The main problem I encountered was with sites using Flash and my older machine not having seen a Flash update in years.  This is not addressing the security aspect at all.  Frankly as far as security goes I am not concerned about it 95% of the time.  If somebody wants to spy on my posting to ASC, well...

     

    Realize in the end if your friend must use an older OS version then she has to accept associated disadvantages such as limited browser availability.  There aren't any "fixes" to using an older browser other than running a newer one.  I don't think anybody can quantify or outline specific security risks.  I haven't seen any lists other than reading what security updates mention which is mostly some bland statement about patching holes to prevent malicious code from being executed.  Not that I ever saw any bad things in many years of running older software on my G4.

  • by ENIGMACODE,Solvedanswer

    ENIGMACODE ENIGMACODE Apr 10, 2016 7:43 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (93 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 10, 2016 7:43 PM in response to Limnos

    Thank you Limnos!

     

    Yep - Mozilla will work with 10.6.8 - That's all I'm concerned about:

     

    Requirements for iMac MA877LL with an Intell Processor:

    https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac

     

    Specs for MA877LL:

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.4-20-inch-alu minum-specs.html

     

    Thanx again

    Mike

  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Apr 10, 2016 8:03 PM in response to ENIGMACODE
    Level 9 (54,649 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 10, 2016 8:03 PM in response to ENIGMACODE

    Your friend should consider purchasing additional RAM, particularly if the computer has the stock 1 GB RAM.  Even Snow Leopard would be happier with 2 GB and if you pushed it to 4 or even 6 GB you could likely run Mavericks with no problem.  The everymac.com web site links to the OWC web site which has installation videos.

  • by ENIGMACODE,

    ENIGMACODE ENIGMACODE Apr 10, 2016 8:03 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (93 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 10, 2016 8:03 PM in response to Limnos

    Yes that's on the list

     

    She's currently got 4GB's - Not sure if I can get another 2GB's in there with a Maximum of 6GB total?

     

    Thank you Limnos!

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Apr 10, 2016 8:12 PM in response to ENIGMACODE
    Level 9 (54,649 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 10, 2016 8:12 PM in response to ENIGMACODE

    The cost and what needs to be done will depend upon how it is currently configured. If one is empty you just have to fill the other, though you may wish to check the upgrade information at the web site below because sometimes it helps to match RAM modules.  If there are 2 x 2GB then you will have to remove one and put in a higher capacity module which means re-buying some of the RAM again.

     

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/imac-aluminum-faq/imac-intel-aluminum -how-to-upgrade-memory.html

  • by ENIGMACODE,

    ENIGMACODE ENIGMACODE Apr 10, 2016 11:08 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (93 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 10, 2016 11:08 PM in response to Limnos

    Yep - U Got It Limnos - I'll be calling OWC to get the scoop. I enjoy keeping these older machines running as long as they could

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac/Intel_Core_2_Duo