Upgrade from OS 10.4.11 info requested

A

ann mideast

Registered
Please would you advise me about upgrading my Mac OS. All relevant details below:

Current system: 10.4.11

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: iMac G5
Machine Model: PowerMac8,2
CPU Type: PowerPC G5 (3.1)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 2 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 5.2.5f1
Serial Number: W8537220SDZ

Would an upgrade be available on CD from retailers? (specifically Dubai - my closest tech connection, I'm in a remote region up north)

Many thanks, Ann
 
You have an 4+ year old PPC Mac.

First it could only go to 10.5.x. However if i were you I would upgrade the RAM chips to at least 2 Gig first. OS X loves RAM and that is especially true in PPC Macs. Now it is possible to get 10.5.x on that mac but since it is two years since it's release 10.5.x will be full price or more.

If you buy 10.5.x then be careful. The grey colored system disks DON"T work on other Macs. Many people try to sell their Mac's System Restore disks calling them 10.5+. If you buy 10.5.x make sure it is a retail version that is colored Black! This is the version of OS X 10.5 you need to update your Mac.
 
Please would you advise me about upgrading my Mac OS. All relevant details below:

Current system: 10.4.11

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: iMac G5
Machine Model: PowerMac8,2
CPU Type: PowerPC G5 (3.1)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 2 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 5.2.5f1
Serial Number: W8537220SDZ

Would an upgrade be available on CD from retailers? (specifically Dubai - my closest tech connection, I'm in a remote region up north)

Many thanks, Ann
 
When you get to the "Tech Location" bring enough money to get an external hard drive and you can back up your personal data (itunes music, pictures,etc) cloning it with something like the free Carbon Copy Cloner. This way you have a backup in case something goes wrong during the upgrade.

Plus going to 10.5.x make sure you get a black colored 10.5.x install disk. So bad or unknowing people will try to use the system install disks that come with personal Mac. They don't realize that these versions are for that one Mac ONLY and will not install on another Mac. So be careful in buying a 10.5X OS x install disks. Just ask for the retail version and in Leopard(10.5) that retail disk is colored black. The grey disks are system restore disks.
 
Thanks for that Satcomer.
The tech on this forum suggests I stay with 10.4 - reputedly gives less problems than 10.5.
The idea is to have the iMac running in top form, sell it - and get a MacBook Pro. Easier to travel with!
As it is, currently having problems - have to start up in Safeboot. Have detailed this problem on earlier reply to forum/tech today.
Thanks again for your advice!
 
Another thing non-techy sales people occasionally try to do is to sell you Mac OS X 10.6 discs. 10.6 requires Intel-architecture, so Mac OS X 10.5 is the newest (Mac) OS your computer can handle. G5-processors are PPC based, and Mac OS X 10.5 is Universal, meaning both the code for PPC- and Intel-processor Macs is present. In 10.6 only the Intel code is present, and that will not work. (PPC- and Intel-based processors read the code in different direction, so 10.6 would not be understood by the PPC, just like 10.4 retail would not be understood by an Intel Mac).

So, Mac OS X 10.5, black DVDs with the word "retail" on them, is the only thing that will do what you need.
(Upgrade discs will also not be available: those were sold for Mac OS X 10.5 for about 2 months when the then new OS came out, for the computers that shipped within the last month or two before 10.5 was out).

For the shopping locations for Mac products in Dubai, perhaps these would do:
http://emiratesmac.wordpress.com/uae-retailers/

Retail stores [listing only Dubai here]
* Mac Store Apple Center (Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai): Macs, software, accessories, iPods and accessories
* Graphitech (Airport Road, Dubai): Macs, accessories, software, some iPods and accessories
* Protech (Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai): Macs
* The Virgin Store in Mall of the Emirates (Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai) – Thanks Khalid!: Macs, some software, and iPods and accessories
* The Jumbo Electronics store in Mall of the Emirates (Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai): some Macs and iPods
* The Debenhams store in Mall of the Emirates (Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai): quite a lot of iPods and accessories, including Griffin stuff
* Sharaf DG (Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai): quite a lot of iPods and iPods accessories
Click to expand...

And a few websites that sell online listed on it too. I think Mac Store Apple Center sounds like the best place to start, if it's in an easy location for you.
 
Ann, if you are planning to just get it to top shape, then sell it, then I think it will be more cost efficient to save all your data to your new Mac (or ext. hd or where ever you want), and do a clean install of Mac OS X 10.4 - do you still have the discs that came with the iMac?
If you have them, would you like some help with the OS install process? (anyone here can guide you if needed)
 
Many thanks for your detailed reply and the list you supplied for Dubai!

I agree re: the cost efficiency/clean re-install of 10.4. (or 10.5) No, I do not have the install discs - I bought the Mac second hand in excellent condition from the Mac suppliers for our ad agency - didn't realise at the time I should have asked for the discs to be included with the Mac.
This wouldn't be a problem if I was back home in Johannesburg but right now I'm in Iraq.
My next logical step is to get to a Mac technical centre - preferably Dubai/Beirut - or get something online. The only drawback with online is, how can I guarantee the correct OS/install CD's would be sent.
Or I can continue limping along, designing in Safeboot mode, until I get the required amount of dollars for a MacBook Pro.
Regards, Ann
 
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