Help upgrading to newer Mac OS version

[NewMacUser007]

I inherited an old iMac from my sister in law - i checked the serial number and it comes up as iMac (24-inch, Mid 2007) and currently has Mac OS 10.7.4 installed. I guess it has not been used for a number of years and has never been upgraded.

I tried to upgrade from the Software Update functionality (upgrade to 10.7.5) and it looks like it's trying to download a file but it then fails with the attached message. I have also tried to upgrade via the AppStore but i get a different message (also attached).

I am not a heavy Mac user so not sure what else to try, I have done some searching and i found this site that lists every Mac and it's highest OS that is supported....my Mac is not even listed on it :-/
https://everymac.com/systems/by_capability/maximum-macos-supported.html

Also, one of the main things i want to be able to use the machine for is facetime and i have logged in with my AppleID, and i can call someone and it rings but as soon as they answer the call just drops. I have done some searching for that too and it seems that is because the Mac OS is not upgraded. Not sure if there is anything else that can be done to verify that.

Any ideas from anyone would be really appreciated as currently am stuck.

Thanks

 

[honestone]

OK, need to discuss a number of things:

1. Just to make sure, is this the iMac you have:

https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.4-24-inch-aluminum-specs.html

2. If that is the case, then you can install the last version of El Capitan, OS 10.11.6, on the machine. For one of your screen shots that is attached, an installation of the latest version of High Sierra, OS 10.13.3, was attempted, but given that OS is newer than El Capitan, that is why you got that (correct) error message.

3. Unfortunately, 1 Gig of Ram is not going to be enough to install and run El Capitan, along with your other applications. This link shows where you can purchase memory for your iMac:

https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac-24-inch-mid-2007-2.4-ghz/memory

This link shows how to upgrade the Ram inside the machine:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+24-Inch+EMC+2134+and+2211+RAM+Replacement/8966

4. The next thing that needs to be done is to check out the "condition" of the internal drive. That is going to be difficult, as it is best to do that in an "isolated" manner. But you can begin to do that by running Disk Utility, which is contained inside the Utilities folder, which is inside your Applications folder. It would be best if you let it Verify and Repair the drive (if it will let you), but without a backup, that could be risky. Disk Utility should at least be able to tell you if there is anything wrong with the drive, even if it won't let you repair it. If the hard drive does need to be replaced, that is more challenging, as this link shows:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+24-Inch+EMC+2134+and+2211+Hard+Drive+Replacement/8968

5. Given how old the machine is, and that it has never been upgraded, it is best that you do a clean, fresh, "virgin" installation of El Capitan, versus just an update "in place". But to do that, you will need to make a backup of your current system to an external device. And the clean, fresh installation of El Capitan will need to be done externally. I suspect that given how you can possibly obtain El Capitan, you'll need to use either SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner for doing the backup. But that is a good thing. This thread that I started contains a lot of useful information about backups:

https://www.mac-help.com/threads/backups-backups-backups.223959/

6. Finally, you need to insure that whatever third party (ie, non-Apple) programs you are using are compatible with El Capitan. This link can help you with that:

https://roaringapps.com/apps

What could also make this easier is if you have another Mac that is working fine. Is that how you are making posts here? If so, what exact Mac model is it?

 

[NewMacUser007]

1. Just to make sure, is this the iMac you have:

https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.4-24-inch-aluminum-specs.html

Yes that is correct

OK, need to discuss a number of things:
2. If that is the case, then you can install the last version of El Capitan, OS 10.11.6, on the machine. For one of your screen shots that is attached, an installation of the latest version of High Sierra, OS 10.13.3, was attempted, but given that OS is newer than El Capitan, that is why you got that (correct) error message.

I just went to the appstore and saw the updates tab and that is all that was offered to me.

OK, need to discuss a number of things:
3. Unfortunately, 1 Gig of Ram is not going to be enough to install and run El Capitan, along with your other applications. This link shows where you can purchase memory for your iMac:

https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac-24-inch-mid-2007-2.4-ghz/memory

This link shows how to upgrade the Ram inside the machine:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+24-Inch+EMC+2134+and+2211+RAM+Replacement/8966

Can i really not get by with 1GB? i really don't need many/any applications other than facetime and browser. This will just be used for those purposes. If i can avoid having to update the RAM that would be ideal.

OK, need to discuss a number of things:
5. Given how old the machine is, and that it has never been upgraded, it is best that you do a clean, fresh, "virgin" installation of El Capitan, versus just an update "in place". But to do that, you will need to make a backup of your current system to an external device. And the clean, fresh installation of El Capitan will need to be done externally. I suspect that given how you can possibly obtain El Capitan, you'll need to use either SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner for doing the backup. But that is a good thing. This thread that I started contains a lot of useful information about backups:

As I really don't need anything on the machine that is already there - do i need to do a backup?

OK, need to discuss a number of things:
What could also make this easier is if you have another Mac that is working fine. Is that how you are making posts here? If so, what exact Mac model is it?

I do have a macbook i can use which i *believe* has the latest OS installed but i would need to check later tonight the exact model. But i am using a different windows machine to reply to these posts.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[honestone]

First, you're welcome. I really appreciate folks showing appreciation for my efforts! So I'll say, Thank You!

Secondly, unfortunately El Capitan itself requires at least 2 gig of Ram:

https://support.apple.com/kb/sp728?locale=en_US

Third, it is critical to have a backup (hopefully you have one for your Macbook). I have seen numerous posts from folks here for help, but when they don't have a backup, it makes such assistance difficult at best. Plus, it is very, very risky to not have a backup, even if one does not use their machine too much, nor for anything really critical.

Fourth, I forgot to mention one thing: given that you are using Lion (OS 10.7.4), you can boot the iMac to the (hidden) Recovery HD partition, and run Disk Utility form there to check out your internal drive. This link describes how to do that:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

And this link discusses in more detail what is on that partition:

https://computers.tutsplus.com/tuto...why-its-there-and-how-to-remove-it--mac-31796

However, as I mentioned above, if Disk Utility "wants" to repair the drive, without a backup, that could be risky.

 

[NewMacUser007]

First, you're welcome. I really appreciate folks showing appreciation for my efforts! So I'll say, Thank You!

Secondly, unfortunately El Capitan itself requires at least 2 gig of Ram:

https://support.apple.com/kb/sp728?locale=en_US

I am not by my machine, but i forwarded a screenshot to a friend yesterday where i saw that it seems the machine actually has 4GB ram! So should be ok right? I attached the screenshot.

Third, it is critical to have a backup (hopefully you have one for your Macbook). I have seen numerous posts from folks here for help, but when they don't have a backup, it makes such assistance difficult at best. Plus, it is very, very risky to not have a backup, even if one does not use their machine too much, nor for anything really critical.

Thanks for the push, sounds like i should make a backup!

Fourth, I forgot to mention one thing: given that you are using Lion (OS 10.7.4), you can boot the iMac to the (hidden) Recovery HD partition, and run Disk Utility form there to check out your internal drive. This link describes how to do that:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314
And this link discusses in more detail what is on that partition:
https://computers.tutsplus.com/tuto...why-its-there-and-how-to-remove-it--mac-31796
However, as I mentioned above, if Disk Utility "wants" to repair the drive, without a backup, that could be risky.

What is the purpose of running the disk check? just to make sure that the disk is OK and no errors, so that the upgrade will go smoothly?

Also, this may seem like a stupid question, but how will i update to El Capitan - where do i go to download and install it? The Software Update or the AppStore didn't give me that option.
Do you think this would help? https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886

Thanks as always.

 

[honestone]

Yes, 4 gig is easily enough.

Yes, a backup is just about mandatory.

Given that the machine is 11 years old, and especially if little (if any) disk cleanup/maintenance/repairs, from a software perspective, has even been done, yes, the checking out of the disk will help to insure a smooth, successful upgrade. But it can also show if the disk is "starting" to go bad.

As for obtaining El Capitan, yes, click on the link you provided. Then, within "1. Use this link to open the El Capitan page on the App Store: Get OS X El Capitan.", click on "Get OS X El Capitan". Hopefully, that will bring you to the correct "spot". Then, note #2:

2. Click the Download button on the El Capitan page. A file named Install OS X El Capitan downloads to your Applications folder.

When that completes, quit the next step, about starting to install. As #2 says, there will be a file entitled "Install OS X El Capitan" inside the Applications folder. Make a copy of that file in another location on the internal drive. That way, in case you ever need the file again, you will not need to go to the App store to get it.

Once that completes, you should proceed to make a backup. Hopefully you've read the link about the backup thread I started a couple of months ago. I can tell you for a fact that if you use either SuperDuper! (I use it religiously) or Carbon Copy Cloner, you will create a bootable backup on your external drive, and the installation of El Capitan (along with obtaining all other needed "stuff" from the backup) will be much smoother, faster, and you will have WAY more control over the entire process.

Also, don't forget to check on compatibility of any third party software you are using. You might need to update some of them for El Capitan compatibility.

 

[NewMacUser007]

Thanks! I will keep you posted once i get a chance to try all this stuff out!

Yes, 4 gig is easily enough.

Yes, a backup is just about mandatory.

Given that the machine is 11 years old, and especially if little (if any) disk cleanup/maintenance/repairs, from a software perspective, has even been done, yes, the checking out of the disk will help to insure a smooth, successful upgrade. But it can also show if the disk is "starting" to go bad.

As for obtaining El Capitan, yes, click on the link you provided. Then, within "1. Use this link to open the El Capitan page on the App Store: Get OS X El Capitan.", click on "Get OS X El Capitan". Hopefully, that will bring you to the correct "spot". Then, note #2:

2. Click the Download button on the El Capitan page. A file named Install OS X El Capitan downloads to your Applications folder.

When that completes, quit the next step, about starting to install. As #2 says, there will be a file entitled "Install OS X El Capitan" inside the Applications folder. Make a copy of that file in another location on the internal drive. That way, in case you ever need the file again, you will not need to go to the App store to get it.

Once that completes, you should proceed to make a backup. Hopefully you've read the link about the backup thread I started a couple of months ago. I can tell you for a fact that if you use either SuperDuper! (I use it religiously) or Carbon Copy Cloner, you will create a bootable backup on your external drive, and the installation of El Capitan (along with obtaining all other needed "stuff" from the backup) will be much smoother, faster, and you will have WAY more control over the entire process.

Also, don't forget to check on compatibility of any third party software you are using. You might need to update some of them for El Capitan compatibility.

 

[NewMacUser007]

All your help

Thanks so much honestone! It worked like a charm. I now have a new lease of life in the machine. Facetime works and it's all updated and secure.

Thanks for all your inputs and good advice - really appreciated.

 

[honestone]

You're welcome!

So, did you upgrade "in place", ie, just had El Capitan overwrite what was there already?

Going forward, if you want to keep the machine functional, it would be best if you 1) performed disk cleanup/maintenance/repairs, from a software perspective, on a regular basis, and 2) do backups frequently also.

 

[NewMacUser007]

You're welcome!

So, did you upgrade "in place", ie, just had El Capitan overwrite what was there already?

Going forward, if you want to keep the machine functional, it would be best if you 1) performed disk cleanup/maintenance/repairs, from a software perspective, on a regular basis, and 2) do backups frequently also.

Yeah I just overwrote it (after backup) as i didn't need anything from the old machine...so seemed the easiest.

Yeah i will def try and keep it in good working order...as not even sure how long El Capitan will be supported...so not sure what to do once it goes EOL!