problem opening .dmg files

[cb1bear]

Hi, I am new to this!
Basically I have a Mac G4, OS X 10.1.5 ( I know very old by todays standars, but that's what I have!?) Any way, I am having loads of problems with downloading. Every thing I download I can't open? (.dmg files say I don't have the application. Si I read someone elses reply and they said to go to utilities in applications and open disc copy. I don't have that in OS X applications. But I found it in 9 (this opened classic.) so I opened it and copied the dmg file and it still didn't work. I have been trying to download msn messenger. Why can't I do this!??? Also I can't download any othe browsers such as safari and firefox. Is it because I need to take the plunge and update to Tiger? If I do this will it effect all my applications and printer compatibility?

sorry about all the questions....but I am a bit confused about it and what I have to do to get my computer and internet working effeciently. Please help to put my brain in order!!! Thanks.
CB1bear.

[DeltaMac]

You should be able to find DiskCopy in your Applications/Utilities folder.

If you want FireFox, you have to upgrade to 10.2 or newer.
If you want Safari, you have to upgrade to 10.2 or newer.

Your system would be much more stable with 10.2 or newer, especially 10.3 or newer. Even something like printers have much better support with 10.2 or newer.
I've seen 10.3 installer sets for as low as $15 on eBay.

[fryke]

(had to adjust your thread's title. It contained 6 too many !s and ?s.)

[Captain Code]

I'm pretty sure that Apple has changed the format of dmg files since 10.1 came out so it's no surprise it doesn't work. Successive versions of OS X have been faster and faster since 10.1 so you should think about upgrading to at least 10.3 or 10.4 if you want the latest features. You should be able to do an archive and install over your OS installation which will keep all your data while installing the new system.

[fryke]

About getting Mac OS X 10.3 or 10.4 off of eBay: You have to make very, very sure that it's a *retail* version of the OS. If you buy a set that came with a computer, you're basically pirating the software, since that license stays with the machine it came with. Also, some people have problems _installing_ those disks on different Macs, so it might also be a _practical_ problem.

For an older G4, I'd go with Panther, i.e. 10.3, now.

[cb1bear]

Thanks fo getting back to me. I will take your advice and update. If I get Pantha 10.3, how can I make sure that it is a retail version if I buy from ebay. I can't afford to spend a fortune at the moment. But it is becoming more and more of a hassle not having access to dmg files and browsers.
Cheers.

[kip182]

if you are buying from ebay a good way to tell whether or not your product is legit and not pirated is just by checking the users profile comments. Make sure that feedback is all positive for him. Even check to see if the user has a webaddress and or phone number listed so you can double check the product and be able to contact him if theres issues.

sorry to be a bit off topic here... but when .dmg files download do you have to keep them on your computer? Or can you delete and the program you downloaded still work? ie. I downloaded vpncisco (you might not know it) its just a program that connects to wireless network in places. I kept the program but deleted the .dmg and it decided not to work... So I was wondering if this is the same with all .dmg files... do you need to keep them in order for the application to work?

[Captain Code]

You can also ask the seller if it's a retail version. If the have decent feedback they'll probably be honest about it.

When you download dmg files, copy the application off the mounted disk image and then you can delete the dmg. Think of the dmg as a CD you inserted into your CD drive. You can't use the application after removing the CD unless you copy the application to your hard drive.