OS upgrade

[CharlieMyBoy]

I've used a big, fat Mac Tower since 2004. Lately, I've been getting messages that certain software is no longer supported. If I upgrade from 10.5 to 10.6, will that OS support Quark 7.31, CS3, Acrobat CS3 and Pro, and Office 2008? If so, how high can I go before I'll need to upgrade my software? Or would it make more sense to use my system just for my work and get separate laptop for all my email and internet work?

 

[pinto79]

If you have been using that tower since 2004, it must be a PowerMac G5, which can't run an OS higher than 10.5. Looks like it's time for new hardware.

 

[CharlieMyBoy]

Yeah, I know that. I already planned on upgrading to OS 6. My question is how will that affect, if at all, my current software, listed in my original post.

 

[pinto79]

That's the thing, that machine cannot be upgraded to 10.6 as that was the first version of OS X that wasn't done for the PowerPC architecture. CS3 would be fine on newer hardware as would office 2008, but quark 7 is PowerPC only from what I can gather from a quick google search. If everything is working fine and suits your needs, why change? If you need newer, you are looking at a substantial upgrade.

 

[CharlieMyBoy]

My tech guy swears there's no problem upgrading to 10.6 or even higher for an operating system. So it's the software compatibility I'm wondering about. He's got a similar system to mine and has successfully upgraded to 10.6, so that doesn't seem to be the problem. The problem is that, if I had to buy all new software to adhere to the operating system upgrade, it would cost less to just get a laptop on the side instaed to deal with the internet and email. Bottom line, at least according to my tech guy, I can upgrade the OS to whatever. I just have to find out how far before the software needs upgrading.

 

[chscag]

My tech guy swears there's no problem upgrading to 10.6 or even higher for an operating system.

Find a new tech guy, yours is wrong. You can not upgrade your PPC machine higher than Leopard 10.5.8. Snow Leopard 10.6 and versions of OS X after that are Intel only.

My advice: Buy a new machine and use whatever software you can from your current system. Some of your software will work while others will have to be upgraded. You've had a nice long run (2004) of 10 years. Time to spend $$$ if you wish to get up to date, otherwise keep what you have.

 

[pigoo3]

Yes…your "tech guy" is 100% wrong. No Apple Macintosh computer around in 2004 is capable of running OS 10.6. Plain & simple!

Tell this "tech guy" he needs to attend a refresher course of some sort!

On the other hand…if your tech guy has the same system (and is running 10.6). Then you've misidentified your "2004" computer.

- Nick

 

[Slydude]

@CharlieMyBoy If you have been using that machine since 2004 it can't run anything higher than 10.5.8 as the guys have suggested Your tech guy may be confusing your machine with the first Intel based Mac Pro which looks almost identical to the G5.

To settle the issue go to the Apple menu and choose "About This Mac". Report the results to us.

 

[CharlieMyBoy]

Thanks, all. I'll pass your information on to my tech guy. I did go to "About This Mac" under the Apple menu, and it says my machine is: Mac OS X, version 10.5.8, Processor is a 2 x 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, 6 GB 800 MHz, DDR2 FB-DIMM.

Does this help or clear anything up? Thanks, again!

 

[Slydude]

That does clear thing up a bit. Your Mac can run OS X 10.6.8 or 10,7,5. IN order to do either update you'll have to buy the 10.6 disc from Apple first. If you decide on 10.6.8 Your software should be OK with a few minor exceptions. That's the last OS that can run older PowerPC software.

The Snow Leopard (10.6 disc can be purchased from Apple's online store for about $20.00 US. It is not available through their retail stores.

After you install Snow Leopard run Software Update to bring the installation up to at least 10.6.8. If you are running older PowerPC software that's important you'll have to stop there unless you update the software as well.

 

[chscag]

Thanks, all. I'll pass your information on to my tech guy. I did go to "About This Mac" under the Apple menu, and it says my machine is: Mac OS X, version 10.5.8, Processor is a 2 x 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, 6 GB 800 MHz, DDR2 FB-DIMM.

Does this help or clear anything up? Thanks, again!

Well, that's a lot different story than you told us in the first post. ;P Your tech guy is off the hook... apparently he knew more about your machine than you did. Just follow the advice given you by Slydude.

 

[pigoo3]

I did go to "About This Mac" under the Apple menu, and it says my machine is: Mac OS X, version 10.5.8, Processor is a 2 x 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, 6 GB 800 MHz, DDR2 FB-DIMM.

Does this help or clear anything up?

Yes…it absolutely does help! You described the situation as "I've used a big, fat Mac Tower since 2004."

The specs you mentioned from "About This Mac"…is a computer from 2008. There really is a big difference between a computer from 2004 & 2008.

So to answer your question…absolutely yes…this computer can run OS 10.6. In fact it can run just about any newer OS than what is currently installed (10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10).

But…if you upgrade your computers OS…there is a possibility that some of your apps will not be compatible. So by upgrading the OS…you may solve one problem…but then cause another. Thus you may solve a small problem…but cause a bigger much more expensive problem. So you need to balance the risks/benefits (you know your situation much better than us).

To check app compatibility…check out this website:

RoaringApps - Application compatibility and feature support for OS X and iOS

HTH,

- Nick

 

[CharlieMyBoy]

Sorry. My bad. I was sure I'd bought this system earlier than 2008! In any case, thank you all so much for your help. And "roaringapps.com" is great. It answered all my questions.

Thanks again!

- CharlieMyBoy

 

[pigoo3]

Sorry. My bad. I was sure I'd bought this system earlier than 2008! In any case, thank you all so much for your help. And "roaringapps.com" is great. It answered all my questions.

Awesome. Glad we could help!

- Nick

 

[johnodd4]

yep he has a 1.1 good you have 8 gig's of ram

 

[pigoo3]

yep he has a 1.1 good you have 8 gig's of ram

From what I figure…it's a Mac Pro 3,1. OP mentioned 6gig of ram.

- Nick

 

[harryb2448]

As Nick says it is a 3.1 with the 2.8GHz CPU. Suggest increasing memory to 8GB, installing Snow Leopard OS X.6.8 and then come along and join Yosemite!

 

[johnodd4]

no don't join yosemite until after 10.1 is released

 

[harryb2448]

LOL Yosemite is great so go for it!