Newbie to PowerMac G5. Can't updgrade or download.....

seachto7

Hi all,

Got my hands on a used Power Mac G5 recently, and need to update some things on it if I can.
I have been trying to download the latest version of itunes, chrome, firefox, and was going to purchase OS Lion, but I don't seem to be able to even download itunes.

I am getting the following message:

"This package type requires Mac OS X 10.5".

Ok, that seems to be fairly self explanatory. I would imagine the OS I have is version 10.4.

I am using a:

Power Mac G5
4 x 2.5 GHz PowerPC G5.

If I can't even upgrade itunes or safari, how can I hope to download anything else?

Odaise Gaelach

Most modern applications, including Snow Leopard and Lion, don't support PowerPC processors. OS X 10.5 - Leopard - does, so you can probably upgrade to that, but no further.

seachto7

I still get the same message when I try to download leopard...

what would my options be in order to overcome the error message I get when trying to download itunes for example?

does it mean I can't now even download the latest itunes?

Sad Professor

You need to get a Leopard install disc. You can't just install a combo update from the Apple site, which is what I assume you are trying to do.

seachto7

Hi Sad Professor,

yup, that's what I was trying to do :o

So, once I get it installed, I should be able to updgrade itunes, flash, firefox etc as normal...?

ZENER

Yep !! Latest DVD available in the shops is 10.5.3. Costs about 30 quids in Dixons/Currys. After that you can use Software Update to get to 10.5.8 and the recent versions of Safari. iTunes etc.

Nice machine by the way if you're selling it let me know will you ?

Ken

seachto7

Hi Ken,

It's my first step into Mac territory. As in, I have used other people's macbooks and the likes, but it is my fist step using them for work purposes, music recording and the likes.
Yeah, I have heard what I bought is good, but I am thinking that the PowerPC is a disadvantage over intel machines. As in, (I don't know anything about OS Lion), would intel be an advantage in that you can upgrade a lot more efficiently than a PowerPC.

So, to be clear, I am looking for OS 10.5.3 (when I go to the shop tomorrow).

So it's a good machine then eh? I'm still not quite sure what I have laid my hands on...

Sad Professor

You are just looking for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. It doesn't matter what point release it is. Once you have 10.5 you can update it to 10.5.8.

seachto7

Thanks Sad Professor. Would it just be worth my while going into a refurb shop and getting them to install it rather than buying it. Not sure how much they would charge for it though, but I wouldn't necessarily need to buy a disc....

ZENER

Yeah it's a decent machine though a few years old. I still use a Dual G5 Powermac as my main machine and it runs everything I need - Adobe CS3 (Anything higher requires an Intel CPU), Office, Aperture, Final Cut etc.

Main disadvantages are that I can't run latest Adobe apps like Lightroom or Audition and bootcamp is a no no. I have Snow Leopard on my Macbook Pro but don't really see any huge difference between it and Leopard on the PowerMac. Can't see how Lion would be any huge advantage to me at the moment so I'm quite happy to stick with what I have for now.

All in all aside from the slow graphics system - fast enough for me though - it's a fine machine with more upgrade facilities than current iMacs so will do me for a couple more years I think.

Ken

seachto7

Interesting...

I'm hoping to be able to run something like Dreamweaver on it for making basic changes to websites etc. I won't be getting too heavy duty on it, but do dabble in home music recording so will do some of that on it as well, but again, won't get heavy once it comes to using plug ins and the likes....

Cool, I'll pop into town (in Limerick) and get me a version of Leopard...

ZENER

seachto7 wrote: »

Thanks Sad Professor. Would it just be worth my while going into a refurb shop and getting them to install it rather than buying it. Not sure how much they would charge for it though, but I wouldn't necessarily need to buy a disc....

They will charge you a lot more than the disc costs !! Simpler to just buy the Leopard DVD and install it yourself or use it to upgrade what you have. It's a very easy process. Chances are that any apps installed won't work after the upgrade though so you may need to buy Office, iLife etc etc. Better to do a clean install of Leopard, upgrade via Software Update to 10.5.8 then install any software you need. Post here if you need any help doing this.

Ken

seachto7

Hi Zener,

Yeah, I might post. It's pretty bare at the mo, so I want to upgrade the OS before installing anything else. So, should I install Leopard, upgrade to 10.5.8, and then go about installing dreamweaver, office, ilife etc...

Sad Professor

I hope you are able to get it. I didn't think Leopard was sold anymore. Apple certainly don't anyway.

ZENER

seachto7 wrote: »

Interesting...

I'm hoping to be able to run something like Dreamweaver on it for making basic changes to websites etc. I won't be getting too heavy duty on it, but do dabble in home music recording so will do some of that on it as well, but again, won't get heavy once it comes to using plug ins and the likes....

Cool, I'll pop into town (in Limerick) and get me a version of Leopard...

The Quad G5 is a very powerful machine so don't underestimate it. Lot's of people still use them for Logic Pro, Final Cut and Aperture. Adobe CS3 comes with Dreamweaver, Illustrator and InDesign, Quark also works pretty well. How much RAM and how big is the hard disk on your PowerMac ?

Ken

seachto7

I have the machine powered off, but it's 4GB Ram, not sure of the hard disk off my head.
Yeah, I have CS3 installed on my PC (it's a copy...), and all I use off it is dreamweaver for SEO purposes....might be no harm to install all of them, obviously I'll have to get Adobe cs3 again for mac.....(my brain is working on slow mo right now.......)

ZENER

Sad Professor wrote: »

I hope you are able to get it. I didn't think Leopard was sold anymore. Apple certainly don't anyway.

Still for sale on CompuB: http://www.compub.com/store/index.php/mac-software/os-x/apple-mac-os-x-10-6-snow-leopard.html

Ken

Sad Professor

That's Snow Leopard though.

seachto7

I'm looking for 10.5 though, or does it make a difference? I would nearly buy that now online...

Sad Professor

10.6 requires an Intel processor. It won't run on your G5. Maybe try Ebay for Leopard. I see it on Amazon as well but at full price.

ZENER

Ooops sorry my bad !! Night work taking its toll

Ken

seachto7

hmmm, £60+ on ebay

SouperComputer

slap a wanted ad on adverts.

Liameter

Make sure you get a generic 10.5 installer disc. I don't think they made a 10.5 installer for your specific G5.