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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Upgrading My Imac G3 to Osx
KerkyraMac - Jun 26, 2005 - 5:50 am
Hi there,
My Dad has given me his G3 Imac DV (30GB hard drive, 500mhz, 128MB, PC100-322S). I would like to upgrade the OS to OSX. I can't afford Tiger and was thinking of starting with Jaguar and then see if it meets my requirements. I have upgraded from 9.0.4 to 9.1. It is my understanding that I can upgrade straight from 9.1 to OSX if I upgrade my RAM? How much RAM should I buy? I have seen 1GB on the apple site would my machine support this or should I go for a more modest amount? Is the Jaguar version of OSX any good as opposed to Classic or OSX 10.1? I'm finding this all a bit confusing, although I'm pretty nifty with PC's this is my first time trying to do something to a mac other than just surfing/wp!! I would appreciate any help given!!!! Thanks
My Dad has given me his G3 Imac DV (30GB hard drive, 500mhz, 128MB, PC100-322S). I would like to upgrade the OS to OSX. I can't afford Tiger and was thinking of starting with Jaguar and then see if it meets my requirements. I have upgraded from 9.0.4 to 9.1. It is my understanding that I can upgrade straight from 9.1 to OSX if I upgrade my RAM? How much RAM should I buy? I have seen 1GB on the apple site would my machine support this or should I go for a more modest amount? Is the Jaguar version of OSX any good as opposed to Classic or OSX 10.1? I'm finding this all a bit confusing, although I'm pretty nifty with PC's this is my first time trying to do something to a mac other than just surfing/wp!! I would appreciate any help given!!!! Thanks
Cheryl - Jun 26, 2005 - 7:29 am
Sarah-louise,
Working on a Mac is simple, but will take a few days to get use to the set up.
First, your iMac needs to be updated to 9.2.2 before installing OS X.
First 9.2.1 needs to be installed:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120030
Then 9.2.2
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75186
You will also need to install a firmware update before the OS X install:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75130
There is a step by step instruction to installing the firmware here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60385
Once you have these updates installed, you now can install OS X. Do not erase the drive. You can install OS X with OS 9 intact. This will give you the ability to start up in OS 9 or OS X later. Also, OS 9 should stay on the drive to run Classic. Classic gives you the ability to run an OS 9 program while in OS X.
You will need OS X applications (programs). Some have updated to OS X with just a download. Others require you to buy the OS X version. Depending on what you want to do on the iMac will depend on what programs you need. Included in the OS X install is Safari (browser), Mail (email), Text Edit (simple word processor), iPhoto (images), iCal (calendar), Font Book (font manager), and Address Book (address/contacts).
Yes, you should upgrade the memory. 128 MB is the minimum and 1 GB is the max. You have two slots on your iMac using PC100 3.3v 168 pin SDRAM.
I suggest you go with a 512MB stick. This will give you a smooth working machine with the 128.
I have found that www.memory.com has the best prices.
Once you install Jaguar, At restart you will get the setup assistant. this will walk you through setting up the computer. You will select a user name and password. This is important to remember as you need it to install further updates and programs.
Now you will need to update using Software Update pane in System Preferences. There are security updates that need to be installed.
Also there is 10.2.8 update. You can get the combo update here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120247
After every major install you need to go to Applications>Utilities and start up Disk Utility to run Repair Permissions.
I hope I did not overwhelm you.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Working on a Mac is simple, but will take a few days to get use to the set up.
First, your iMac needs to be updated to 9.2.2 before installing OS X.
First 9.2.1 needs to be installed:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120030
Then 9.2.2
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75186
You will also need to install a firmware update before the OS X install:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75130
There is a step by step instruction to installing the firmware here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60385
Once you have these updates installed, you now can install OS X. Do not erase the drive. You can install OS X with OS 9 intact. This will give you the ability to start up in OS 9 or OS X later. Also, OS 9 should stay on the drive to run Classic. Classic gives you the ability to run an OS 9 program while in OS X.
You will need OS X applications (programs). Some have updated to OS X with just a download. Others require you to buy the OS X version. Depending on what you want to do on the iMac will depend on what programs you need. Included in the OS X install is Safari (browser), Mail (email), Text Edit (simple word processor), iPhoto (images), iCal (calendar), Font Book (font manager), and Address Book (address/contacts).
Yes, you should upgrade the memory. 128 MB is the minimum and 1 GB is the max. You have two slots on your iMac using PC100 3.3v 168 pin SDRAM.
I suggest you go with a 512MB stick. This will give you a smooth working machine with the 128.
I have found that www.memory.com has the best prices.
Once you install Jaguar, At restart you will get the setup assistant. this will walk you through setting up the computer. You will select a user name and password. This is important to remember as you need it to install further updates and programs.
Now you will need to update using Software Update pane in System Preferences. There are security updates that need to be installed.
Also there is 10.2.8 update. You can get the combo update here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120247
After every major install you need to go to Applications>Utilities and start up Disk Utility to run Repair Permissions.
I hope I did not overwhelm you.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
KerkyraMac - Jun 26, 2005 - 9:56 am
Thanks for the speedy reply Cheryl
That gives me loads to go on. I will let you know later how I get on!! One other thing, I have read that it is better to partition the hard drive and have OSX seperately. What are your thoughts?
That gives me loads to go on. I will let you know later how I get on!! One other thing, I have read that it is better to partition the hard drive and have OSX seperately. What are your thoughts?
Cheryl - Jun 26, 2005 - 11:59 am
Sarah-louise,
Partitioning the hard drive all depends on the size of the hard drive and your usage.
If you partition, you will need to totally erase the hard drive - effectively erasing the OS 9 you presently have installed.
With the 30 GB hard drive you have, I do not recommend partitioning. If you upgrade the hard drive to a larger size - 200 GB (some are even larger) then a partition would make sense.
Before you begin all this, I suggest you go through the hard drive - especially the Applications folder, documents folder and download folder. Delete all the files you have no need for or haven't used. Double check with your Dad on files you are unsure of. Do not touch anything from the System folder.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Partitioning the hard drive all depends on the size of the hard drive and your usage.
If you partition, you will need to totally erase the hard drive - effectively erasing the OS 9 you presently have installed.
With the 30 GB hard drive you have, I do not recommend partitioning. If you upgrade the hard drive to a larger size - 200 GB (some are even larger) then a partition would make sense.
Before you begin all this, I suggest you go through the hard drive - especially the Applications folder, documents folder and download folder. Delete all the files you have no need for or haven't used. Double check with your Dad on files you are unsure of. Do not touch anything from the System folder.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Cheryl - Jun 26, 2005 - 3:40 pm
Sarah-Louise,
Is there any reason why you chose (Jaguar) 10.2 as a starting point?
I do suggest you use Panther - 10.3 as it is considered a better system. You should be able to obtain it for less than $50.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Is there any reason why you chose (Jaguar) 10.2 as a starting point?
I do suggest you use Panther - 10.3 as it is considered a better system. You should be able to obtain it for less than $50.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
KerkyraMac - Jun 27, 2005 - 3:00 am
Hi Cheryl
Jaguar is the cheapest!! I could get Panther 2nd hand, would that be OK? Or would it jeopardize any future updates from the Mac website? Thanks once again for your help!!
Jaguar is the cheapest!! I could get Panther 2nd hand, would that be OK? Or would it jeopardize any future updates from the Mac website? Thanks once again for your help!!
Cheryl - Jun 27, 2005 - 9:09 am
Sarah-Louise,
A second hand CD is still good, as long as you get the entire package (3 install CD disks & instruction booklet). And it should be like new - meaning no scratches on the CDs.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
A second hand CD is still good, as long as you get the entire package (3 install CD disks & instruction booklet). And it should be like new - meaning no scratches on the CDs.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
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