07-22-2011, 12:20 PM

I have been having this problem for quite some time but now that I'm trying to upgrade to Lion, it's posing a bigger problem for me. My software has been stuck on version 10.5.8 for a long time, probably ever since it was released. Whenever I go to Software Update, I will get updates for Safari, Java, iTunes, etc. but never an OSX update. This has prohibited me from having the App Store on my computer and now is preventing me from downloading Lion because my software isn't up to date. Any suggestions?

07-22-2011, 12:33 PM

Software update updates OSX to the latest version of your base version, so it has upgraded 10.5 leopard to the last version of Lepard.

It does not provide free upgrades to snow Leopard, and as you say, Lion requires the app store, which runs on Snow Leopard only.

If you are quick you may still find a local store that has a retail copy of Snow leopard, or a ebay seller with a cheap retail disk. But now that Snow Leopard no longer ships, and with Leopard users needing SL to upgrade to Lion, expect second hand copies of Snow leopard to start climbing above the $29 retail price that SL originally cost.

07-22-2011, 12:40 PM

You also might want to do some research if Leopard can jump to Lion using the upcoming (August release) USB drive version of Lion that will go on sale in the Apple Store. This is just a guess, but it might allow you to do a fresh install if your Mac is Intel (not PPC).

This is all speculation at the moment, but it could save you some $$$ since SL DVDs will sell for a premium now that they are no longer available from the Apple Store.

07-22-2011, 12:44 PM

10.5.8 was the last OS update for that operating system version. To get 10.6 (Snow Leopard) you will have to purchase a physical disc, install it, and then any necessary updates can be obtained through Software Update. Current cost is $29.00 US.

Each time a new OS is released you have to purchase the initial "base" copy of the OS and from then on updates can be made through Software Update. When the next major release is done the process starts again. So, for example, if you purchase 10.6 you can update it (currently at 10.6.8) by software update but getting Lion would require a purchase.

BTW If you are running a Power PC Mac rather than Intel don't bother spending the $29.00 on Snow Leopard (10.6). 10.5.8 was the last that ran on those machines.

I really must type faster. Now two guys are answering in the time it took me to write a post. Nice job guys.