Newbie!

[neil.scott]

Hello everyone.

New to Mac. Purchased an early 2009 Mac Pro. Thought that this would be useful as a backup computer.

Seeking to update software to most recent operating system as possible, have managed to get OS to El Capitain 10.11.6, have been informed can get it further, even though App Store says no, believe that there may be a workaround.

Don't totally know how to navigate the platform or this situation.

Any helpful ideas as suggestions, greatly appreciated.


Many thanks.

N

 

[IWT]

Hi Neil. A warm welcome to Mac-Forums.

Thank you for your post - in fact two posts - no need to double post.

If you are new to Macs, and given that El Capitan was a good Operating System (OS) and is apparently as far as you can go; I'd be inclined to stick with that.

Workarounds are all very well, but not usually officially supported by Apple and may bring bugs and other difficulties with them.

If you need specific assistance with the OS and how it works, please tell us.

Enjoy.

Ian

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Threads merged - Please do not post the same thread in multiple forums, we will move it to the right forum if needed.

Early 2009 Mac Pro can be upgraded up to El Capitan and no more. So you are already where you need to be.

 

[neil.scott]

Ditto

Hello everyone.

New to Mac. Purchased an early 2009 Mac Pro. Thought that this would be useful as a backup computer.

Seeking to update software to most recent operating system as possible, have managed to get OS to El Capitain 10.11.6, have been informed can get it further, even though App Store says no, believe that there may be a workaround.

Don't totally know how to navigate the platform or this situation.

Any helpful ideas as suggestions, greatly appreciated.


Many thanks.

N

Thank you. Noted.

Am seeking to use system in its possible applications, although hard to determine what these are, as seeking to find way around this seems 'clunky'.

Much of the useful software that came free OSX,(when I purchased had been erased to blank, have El Capitain 10.11.6), are now not available & so would like to be able to use it. Audio Video editing etc.

Other operational software used on PC, would enable backup to be 'current' on both systems & workable.

Partial reasons for seeking to upgrade are to ensure compatibility without loss of 'positive inertia' & work motivation.

Assistance appreciated.

Thank you.


N

 

[neil.scott]

So, yes. Am seemingly unable to move forward, or backward with Mac, as, do not possess installation media software, (that would be shipped with Yosemite/El Capitain), so standard use software (for some of the uses stated above, video/audio), I do not have, & am being instructed that it is not necessarily prudent/viable to seek to update, (meaning I would be able to use current 'usable' software) & links to the software from user manual say it is not able to put on my release (10.11.6).
& ...getting previous software, (wouldn't know if it work anyway!), isn't seemingly totally accessible.
So, really old stuff isn't accessible, although... neither is new.
It looks like a pretty machine, but a fairly expensive & elaborate paperweight.

Please assist if possible.

Many thanks.

 

[krs]

Can you be more specific as to which software you think you are missing?

We have all the Macs in the family running ElCapitan (same as the OS you are using) by CHOICE even though all the Macs we ahve are newer than your MacPro and could run the latest Mac OS.
ElCapitan is perfectly fine.
There is no additional media software that would have been shipped with Yosemite/ElCapiyan as you believe - You get all the Apple software that comes with ElCapitan when you download that OS.

It's not like other OSs where they try to sell you bits and pieces.

 

[krs]

Let me be more specific since you seem to have some ideas about the Mac that are incorrect

So, yes. Am seemingly unable to move forward, or backward with Mac,

No need to move anywhere - ElCapitan is perfect

do not possess installation media software, (that would be shipped with Yosemite/El Capitain),

Can you be specific about what you are missing? You should have all the Apple software that is part of ElCapitan

so standard use software (for some of the uses stated above, video/audio), I do not have, & am being instructed that it is not necessarily prudent/viable to seek to update, (meaning I would be able to use current 'usable' software) & links to the software from user manual say it is not able to put on my release (10.11.6).

Again, be more specific as to which software requires a later MacOS.
Unless this is a relatively new piece o software, there will be versions available that run on ElCapitan.
Remember that you Mac is over 10 years old - in computer terms that is "ancient"
I would also absolutely recommend against any hacks to install a later macOS

...getting previous software, (wouldn't know if it work anyway!), isn't seemingly totally accessible.
So, really old stuff isn't accessible, although... neither is new.

Again....you need to be more specific, not just make general statements

 

[Raz0rEdge]

It sounds like you should've done a lot of research before purchasing your Mac. Any Mac pre-2012 is essentially considered vintage and "stuck in time" from an OS update perspective. Now that Apple has switched to a yearly OS release cycle, software developers are choosing to support up to 3 or 4 releases in the past. So with 10.15 Catalina being the newest, most require 10.11 El Cap or 10.12 Sierra as the oldest version they support.

A number of apps have made 10.13 High Sierra as the base version they support.

If cost is factor (as it always is) with your Mac purchase, then the Mac Mini is actually a very good option. The 2018 version of the Mac Mini keeps pace with the latest version Macbook Pro and lower end iMac without any problems. You pair that with your own monitor, keyboard and mouse and you have a perfectly good machine that is recent and will last you the 10 odd years you need it for.

 

[NSMacGuru]

Comments above from forum members helpful and should be taken to heart.

That said, you have a machine that can do a heckuva lot of stuff, even if it can't go beyond 10.11.

Do a "needs assessment". What do you need to do with the computer... you mentioned audio editing, for example. Is there a specific program you want to use, or would you like suggestions from us regarding freeware and other apps that will enable you to meet some of your needs?

Also consider that now that folks are moving on to newer Macs with (sigh) "better" ports like Thunderbolt / USB-C, you may see lots of equipment coming available in the used market for cheap that will plug in to your "old" machine and give it new usability without a large investment.

Be specific about what you want to do, how you want or need to do it, and we'll do our best to point you in the right direction.

 

[neil.scott]

Hello, fair point, although good to hear what you are saying.

Software. (There are basic apps on it which are useful which I hadn't mentioned & hadn't really meant them).

Well, I gather, that older Macs came with 'iLife', which had some very useful apps on them, e.g. video editing, photo editing, Garageband ... etc.

The manual that is in the hard drive says about these 'amazing' softwares (video editing, photo editing...), which are 'effortless' to get hold of, just follow the link, to the place where they are no longer supported...

Appreciate, that in computer terms this is 'ancient', although, thought it may still have utility. Babylonians, (ancient), gave us degrees in the circle, still used. Egyptians, (ancient), made the pyramids, still used. Romans, (ancient), made cement & very straight roads, still used.

Not the micro-chip, but useful technology.

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[neil.scott]

Yes in a perfect world, ideally thorough research. I had time for v limited research.

As a student, money is a valued & rare commodity. Thought that it would be good investment as back up for laptop PC's used for studying, was informed of sale of Mac, didn't have long, so that's about that.

Thanks for tip though.