Can't upgrade MacOS

[MacChocaholic]

Hi

I'm Kati.. I've had my iMac since 2006/2007 and I've been told I can't upgrade the OS anymore? It's 10.6.8.

My apple Mail seems not to be working anymore it seems unable to collect any mail I just have a circle with a squiggle next to each mailbox and no new mail is coming in. I was told it's cos servers can detect it's an old OS and won't allow it to connect or something?

Firefox recently asked me to update then told me I couldn't because my OS was out of date.

Other than this my IMac is working, there's nothing physically wrong with it, it's been well looked after, not a scratch on it. It was bought with 1TB storage (the highest at the time on the Apple Store) so I find it hard to believe that it's not because there's not enough space left it on it.

I was wondering if anyone on here knew if I could update or there's a way to connect a Mac Mini I have and use that as the hard drive with a more recent OS (and which could be updated to the latest) and use my iMac as the monitor?

Lastly how would I get all my photo's onto a new Macbook I have as I have photo's from 2006 and an old dog who has since passed and I don't want to lose these photo's of her as I don't have them anywhere else. I also need to put my iTunes from the Macbook, currently everything is on this old iMac when I want to download music or apps.

If someone can answer me here or tell me which section I need to post these questions on please?

Thanks very much

Kati

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello and welcome.

-Which exact model iMac is it?
-Who is your email provider? You should be able to get it working, even though your version of OS X is older.
-Which version of Firefox are you running currently? You should be able to download and install Firefox ESR version 45, which will run on Macs from 2006 running OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8.
- Your model iMac doesn't support it, but more recent versions of iMacs/Mac minis with Mini DisplayPort/Tunderbolt ports can run in Target Display Mode. So, you cannot use the display in your iMac with your Mac mini.
-If you were to purchase a new Mac, there are ways to migrate your data. I believe Apple Stores still offer this service as well. If not, there are ways to use an external HD to copy your files to and then copy them to your new Mac. Depending on the exact models, it could be a very manual process and take a few hours at least.

This is the correct forum for your post, so no worries. We'll see if we can help you out.

C

 

[Raptor]

Hello and welcome.

-Which exact model iMac is it?
-Who is your email provider? You should be able to get it working, even though your version of OS X is older.
-Which version of Firefox are you running currently? You should be able to download and install Firefox ESR version 45, which will run on Macs from 2006 running OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8.
- Your model iMac doesn't support it, but more recent versions of iMacs/Mac minis with Mini DisplayPort/Tunderbolt ports can run in Target Display Mode. So, you cannot use the display in your iMac with your Mac mini.
-If you were to purchase a new Mac, there are ways to migrate your data. I believe Apple Stores still offer this service as well. If not, there are ways to use an external HD to copy your files to and then copy them to your new Mac. Depending on the exact models, it could be a very manual process and take a few hours at least.

This is the correct forum for your post, so no worries. We'll see if we can help you out.

C

Sorry, I forgot the second question on moving files. If you get a new Mac, also get a firewire cable. Connect the cable to the new mac, and boot it up normally. Then connect the other end of the cable to the old iMac, and boot that computer holding down the T key as you do so. This boots you in “Target Disk Mode” and the old computers drive will mount on the new computer's desktop, where you can transfer all the files you want to copy to the new computer.

 

[MacChocaholic]

Sorry, I forgot the second question on moving files. If you get a new Mac, also get a firewire cable. Connect the cable to the new mac, and boot it up normally. Then connect the other end of the cable to the old iMac, and boot that computer holding down the T key as you do so. This boots you in “Target Disk Mode” and the old computers drive will mount on the new computer's desktop, where you can transfer all the files you want to copy to the new computer.

If I can start my old iMac up in 'Target Disk Mode' connected to a new iMac using a Firewire cable why can't I connect a Firewire cable to my Mac Mini and my old iMac (holding the T key) to use my old Mac as monitor for the Mac Mini? I'm sure they both have a Firewire port but I've never used them as I didn't know what it was for!

Would I need the shift lock on so it was a capital T or doesn't it matter?

tbh I'm reluctant to spend another £1,800 if Apple are going to stop supporting hardware after its been out a few years. It seems since the iPhone and iPad were launched and releasing new ones every year with one's a couple of years old no longer being able to upgrade that they are doing the same with the computers too, so people have to buy the hardware more often.

Do any others like Safari or Opera support the older Mac's? I liked Firefox cos it had themes which safari didn't have back then, dunno whether they do now.

 

[MacChocaholic]

ok thanks, so what monitor is the Mac mini supposed to work with? ... was it designed just to be plugged into any TV? Is there a model of monitor by apple that looks like the silver screen of the iMac's that I maybe able to pick up cheaper to connect Mac Mini to?

I picked the Mac mini up cheap in a sale thinking I could use it as the hard drive and my old iMac as the monitor! It came with Yosemite but I'd upgrade it as it doesn't have the large font so I can read it without reading glasses (as TV is further from me when I'm sat on sofa, than iMac monitor is when I'm at desk)

 

[MacChocaholic]

Would a monitor like this work with Mac Mini? what connection would I need?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-Cin...d=100338&rk=6&rkt=15&mehot=pp&sd=252538846243

 

[Raptor]

Would a monitor like this work with Mac Mini? what connection would I need?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-Cinema-LED-Display-24-Widescreen-LCD-Monitor-Perfect-Barely-Used/322280848208?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=20150313114020&meid=1da5c6cdb70c4ec38290b8da86749c39&pid=100338&rk=6&rkt=15&mehot=pp&sd=252538846243

The mini will work with just about any monitor, though you may need an adaptor for some of them to work, The one you reference would work; whether it needs an adaptor, I do not know. The adaptors are cheap, and you can ask the vendor whether you need some sort of adaptor for this to work.

 

[MacChocaholic]

ok thanks,, think that's the route I'm going to take then in future it would be cheaper to replace the Mac Mini or use a Macbook and connect to the monitor. I'm sure there'll always be some kind of adapters about!