I have just purchased OS 10.6 to upgrade from 10.5.8 so I can then go to El Captain. Can I completely wipe my computer to do the upgrade or can I just install 10.6 over my current OS
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)
You can, and should, just update over the existing system. This way you won't loose your data.
Once you have 10.6 installed, check for updates via the Apple menu. Once you're on 10.6.8, you'll need to use the Mac App Store for updates.
You can do either.
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Basic Steps for Upgrading OS X
Upgrading to Snow Leopard
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. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mavericks if your computer meets the requirements.
Snow Leopard General Requirements
1. Mac computer with an Intel processor
2. 1GB of memory
3. 5GB of available disk space
4. DVD drive for installation
5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;
fees may apply.
6. Some features require Apple’s iCloud services; fees and
terms apply.
Some of the very old MBPs are limited to Snow Leopard or Lion OSX. If your MBP is a late 2007 or newer, then you can install El Capitan. Should you be able to do so and choose to do so, I suggest that you install as much RAM as the MBP will permit.
Ciao.
Thank you. I currently have 4 gig 667 MHz DDR2 Sd Ram with the 2>2 Ghz untel core 2 duo. Not sure if it will take any more ram. Is there an easy way to find out
You can go to the Crucial web site and they have a 'scanner' that will determine how much RAM your MBP will accept. (OWC is the other preferred vendor for Mac compatible RAM)
By giving the EXACT model/year of your MBP, many here can give you that information.
Ciao.
Just spoke to our local Mac Dealer and he suggested upgrading my hard drive to something faster? He said my Mac could run more ram (up to 6) but he didn't recommend it. Tried the scanner but it was very slow.
Running the Crucial scanner should take less than a minute. You may have problems with your MBP that you may not be aware of.
What is the objection of installing 6 GB RAM voiced by your local Mac dealer? If the RAM is from OWC or Crucial and meets specifications, I see no downside, only an improvement.
Ciao.
upgrading OS 10.5.8 to 10.6
