Any Disadvantages to Core Duo iMac Having A 32 Bit Processor?

I have posted this in the iMac Forum with no response. I know a lot of FCE/FCP users have iMacs and plenty of technical knowledge.
I have just read the following statement in MacRumors where they were reviewing the Intel iMac:-
"Whereas the G5 was a 64 bit processor, the Intel Core Duo is strictly 32 bit".
Is this likely to have any practical significance or cause any problems?
I use programs like Final Cut Express and Photoshop.
Ian.

It will have no significance. The only significance to the everyday user a 64-bit system allows is much larger addressable memory. Thus you can have your 64-bit computer with, say, 16GB RAM, as distinct from the 32-bit CPU computer's limitation of 4GB RAM. There are of course other factors, but none that would in any way affect a user outside a large science lab.
Since you can very happily use FCE and Photoshop with even 1GB RAM (although more is always advisable), and since you can't actually PUT more than 2GB RAM into the iMac, this issue is totally irrelevant and you should not factor it into your purchase decision.
BTW, you're not the great Ian Brown of The Stone Roses, are you?

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Airport Extreme 802.11n upgrade options for early Intel Core Duo iMac

I have an iMac from mid 2006. I recently purchased a Timecapsule - partly for the wireless back ups, and partly to upgrade my wireless network to 802.11n. There is a software upgrade from Apple that upgrades older 802.11 a/b/g Airport cards in the iMac to 'n' standard. Here is the link:
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/D4141ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Mg&mco=MjIzMDkzNA
The page states that the upgrade is compatible "If you have a Mac with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor (except the 17-inch, 1.83GHz iMac)". What it doesn't tell you is that if you have an early version of the iMac (pre-Sept 2006) that shipped with the Intel Core Duo Processor (note - not the Core 2 Duo) then the upgrade will not work. I have also tried to install Airport Extreme updates (2007002 and 2008004) and these report that the hardware is not compatible. Doing some searching around these forums and others, the issue with the original Core Duo iMacs not being upgradeable to 802.11n is out there - shame Apple weren't more explicit.
I have seen that there are various USB based 802.11n adapters available. Whilst searching on this topic, I also came across a site offering various Mac upgrades, including an upgrade to the Airport card to upgrade wireless capability from 802.11g to 802.11n. It looks like a straight replacement for the internal card - link here:
http://www.macupgrades.co.uk/store/productinfo.php?productsid=461
The company offering this is in the UK, but the product appears to be from a Sonnet, a US company. Does anyone out there have experience of installing this product (or having it installed) and can you comment on how it performs? Is it a seamless replacement for the original Airport card?

What it doesn't tell you is that if you have an early version of the iMac (pre-Sept 2006) that shipped with the Intel Core Duo Processor (note - not the Core 2 Duo) then the upgrade will not work.
If it says you need to have a Core "2" Duo processor, then it seems to me they are telling you very clearly that it will not work with the earlier Core (no "2") Duo iMacs.
The "late 2006" iMacs with Core 2 Duo (except for that one education model they mentioned) have wireless networking hardware that is 802.11n capable. When they were initially sold, Apple chose to NOT enable the "n" capability for some reason; maybe because the standard was still in flux and not enough testing had been done with the driver. Later, they enabled the "n" capability with a firmware update. But that was only possible because the wireless hardware was already capable of doing "n."
Earlier iMacs do not have this hardware so there is no way to enable it with a firmware or software update. 802.11g is plenty fast enough for Internet access (you won't notice a difference with "n"). If you are using Time Machine over wireless, it may take a while longer to do that initial backup (you could connected it by Ethernet cable when it is doing that initial backup), but subsequent backups are incremental, so the "g" versus "n" speed difference will not be as critical. Since your iMac is Core Duo (32-bit) and the future of Mac OS X is 64-bit, especially after Snow Leopard's release, it may be best to save your money and keep your iMac intact (not opened).

Disk Utility hangs while initializing internal hard disk in Core Duo iMac

I have a 20" Core Duo iMac. Recently the internal hard drive crashed ("invalid B-tree node size" or something reported when Disk Utility tries and fails to repair it). I have all my data on an external hard disk used as a Time Machine volume, so recovery is not my issue. Initially I picked the write zeroes once security option and chose to erase the internal hard disk. Realizing this would take too long, I clicked on skip, and Disk Utility appeared to hang. I quit and restarted Disk Utility, and chose the "don't erase" security option, but when I go to erase the drive it appears to hang while at the "partitioning" stage and doesn't seem to get any further. There is motion in the progress bar, but no additional progress after about an hour. Disk Utility shows the disk but no volumes underneath it (whereas immediately after the crash, it showed an unmountable volume labeled "disk0s2").
Why would Disk Utility be taking so long and not making any progress? How can I reformat this disk if Disk Utility is not able to? Incidentally, I am running the Disk Utility that comes with OS X 10.4.8, since that is the OS X version on my portable hard drive that I booted from. I also tried using Drive Genius to initialize the hard disk, but it also appeared to hang with no progress.

It is possible the drive has failed, but to be sure start by turning off the computer. Wait five minutes. Then do this:
Extended Hard Drive Preparation
1. Boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger or Leopard.)
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Set the number of partitions from the drop down menu (use 1 partition unless you wish to make more.) Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (only required for Intel Macs) then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
Be sure to boot from the OS X installer DVD, not a backup clone.

Upgrade card for Core Duo iMac to benefit from Airport Extreme

I just bought Airport Extreme for "n" speeds. I didn't realize it required Core 2 Duo for the fastest speeds. Does anyone know of an upgrade card I could install to my Core Duo iMac? Thanks.
iMac Core Duo, iMac Core 2 Duo, MacBook Core 2 Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

There is an article floating around the web of
removing the 2 antennae extreme card from a Mac Pro
and installing it in a MacBook to get 802.11n
connectability, but the connection isn't reported to
be any better or faster.
Also, everything on the network must be 802.11n to
get the n speeds. A mixed network is slower.
I just took the Airport Extreme 802.11n module out of my Mac Pro and installed in my CoreDuo MacBook Pro. After applying the enabler patch off the CD, my network connection speeds report as 270mb connecting to a wide-band N-only Airport Extreme Base Station.
Performance boost on initial file transfer speeds are significant. A 203mb test file took 6+ minutes on my G-only network. The same file, on the N-only network took 49 seconds.
I would call that both better and faster.
Of course for those looking to use it on the mixed B/G/N networks to surf the web aren't going to notice any difference. I think a lot of people forget that regardless of their wireless network speed, even on the fastest of home broadband connections they're not going to be getting more than 8mbs coming into the WAN side of the network if they're on fiber cable. A DSL connection might get 2mbs. The internet itself for most will be a significant bottleneck for most users.
If you're doing a lot of transfers of large files on your internal LAN, the performance is worth the $49 part.
What's really bizarre is that Apple chose to put 100mbs wired ethernet ports on the Airport Extreme Base Station, which means when I hook a USB drive to it, I should actually get faster transfers wirelessly than wired. How bizarre is that?

Clean Installation Of FCE 3.5 UPGRADE On Core Duo iMac?

In a previous post Scott told me that when I get a new Core Duo iMac I will be able to install the UPGRADE version of FCE 3.5 straight away without needing to install the old FCE 3 first. (I will need of course to use my FCE3 serial number).
I have just contacted the UK Apple Store and was told that I would probably need to install FCE3 first! However, when I challenged him the rep wasn't too certain!
Does anyone definitely know whether I can just go ahead and install from the UPGRADE DVDs without needing my original FCE3 DVDs - apart from the serial number?
(Apologies to Scott for harbouring doubts but my middle name should have been Thomas!)
Ian.

EvanTPE550 wrote:
"Is a Win 7 32 virtual client an option?"
What VC are you using?
I use VMWare Player (free) and use it to create virtual clients as needed. Typically the virtual clients are "clean installs" from ISOs. VMWare has it so well mechanized that there's not much to it.
It's pretty quick and easy to install Player and give it a try. Another advantage to that approach is that there's only a single OS at the top level and backups can capture the whole mess w/out having to deal with 2 or 3 different OSs and their partitions.
Z.
The large print: please read the Community Participation Rules before posting. Include as much information as possible: model, machine type, operating system, and a descriptive subject line. Do not include personal information: serial number, telephone number, email address, etc. The fine print: I do not work for, nor do I speak for Lenovo. Unsolicited private messages will be ignored. ... GeezBlog
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Upgrading a Core Duo iMac

Is there an "economical" way to upgrade a Intel Core Duo iMac to a Core 2 Duo iMac to be able to run Lion? I think I know what the answer is: purchase a new or refurbished Core 2 Duo iMac but I just wanted to check. I have a Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro and thought having the iCloud available for both computers would be helpful.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Vernon

Hi Vernon,
The processors on Apple's iMacs are not upgradeable, they are part of the logic board.
Apple has some very reasonable deals on refurbs here and even new iMacs are very affordable. You can also look for good deals for used machines on CraigsList or eBay. It takes some searching to find the right deal but if you work at it you can come up with something worthwhile.
Best of luck.

How do i back up my files from an intel core duo imac to an external hard drive?

Hello
How do I back up my files from an intel core duo imac to an external hard drive?

Like you do with any other Mac*:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
Note: if you have a CoreDuo, you can only upgrade up to 10.6.8. Only Core2Duos and higher can go to 10.7 (Lion).

Need to Install Safari 6.0.2 on a white Intel core duo iMac. Had to throw out 6.0.3 because of conflict with required software. Downloaded wrong version that was for Mountain lion (I am running 10.7.5). It installs but won't open.

Need to Install Safari 6.0.2 on a white Intel core duo iMac. Had to throw out 6.0.3 because of conflict with required software. Downloaded wrong version that was for Mountain lion (I am running 10.7.5). It installs but won't open, says it is for Mountian Lion.
Of course I can't throw it away since I get a message it's part of the sytem. I can show package contents and throw those away, but evidently not a good idea!!

Need to Install Safari 6.0.2 on a white Intel core duo iMac. Had to throw out 6.0.3 because of conflict with required software. Downloaded wrong version that was for Mountain lion (I am running 10.7.5). It installs but won't open, says it is for Mountian Lion.
Of course I can't throw it away since I get a message it's part of the sytem. I can show package contents and throw those away, but evidently not a good idea!!

Can I upgrade a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo iMac running Leopard OS X 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard 10.6.3?

Can I upgrade a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo iMac running Leopard OS X 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard 10.6.3?

Yes this machine will run 10.6 with no problem
Sadly it will not be able to run 10.7 in the future though.

Can anyone get lion to work with the older intel core duo iMacs?

Has anyone been able to get Lion to run on the older Intel Core Duo iMacs?

http://osxdaily.com/2011/04/08/hack-mac-os-x-lion-for-core-duo-core-solo-mac/

My 2011 intel dual core duo iMac apparently has "Airport" ans apparently it is "on" although the icon (upper right) is gray. I'm not sure what "airport" is

My 2011 intel dual core duo iMac apparently has "Airport" ans apparently it is "on" although the icon (upper right) is gray. When I click on the <gray> airport icon it says it's "on" and the option is to turn it off.
I'm not sure what "airport" is, and I have no idea what a router is supposed to accomplish. I got a "smartphone" (not an iPhone, an android) and at a "Smartphone class" at the senior center I was told I need a router.

Oly wrote:
OK, so, in installing a router could I attach the router to my Verizon DSL modem and have the iMac get it's internet from the router by wi-fi?
This way I could place the router 1/2 way between the only two places in my home where wifi devices (wife's tablet, my iMac) are.
Yes, exactly.
For the router I suggest you consider one of the three Apple AirPort Base Stations, not only because it will be easier to get help with using them on this website, but they are generally regarded as the most reliable wireless routers. Technical support directly from Apple is free for the first 90 days.
Slightly cheaper alternatives exist. I have tried other manufacturer's wireless routers, and I don't recommend them.

Upgrade Intel Core Duo iMac to Core 2 Duo?

I know that, in theory a Merom processor is compatible with a motherboard made for a Yonah CPU, which is what's in the original Intel iMacs. However, I know that most Wintel laptops require a BIOS flash in order to support the newer processor.
My question: do you think it will be possible for us to upgrade to the Core 2 Duo from the Core Duo? Will the speed increase be worth it? From what I've read, Merom is not that much faster than Yonah, but has anyone seen anything different?

Hello,
People have installed them in the Mac Mini CoreSolo and CoreDuo without a BIOS or Firmware update. So, it should be fine doing the same in the iMac CoreDuo.
The CPU is in a socket in the iMac CoreDuo, so installation should not be a problem (if you don't mind dismantling your computer and voiding your warranty).
Reports have varied on the speed difference. But, you do gain 64-BIT capabilities with Merom. Otherwise, Merom's specs are very similar to Yonah, so the gains are only going to come from optimized routines. Raw processing power probably isn't much different and the bus speed is the same.
At this point in time, you're going to pay a lot for a new Merom chip. So, the cost benefit probably isn't there for an upgrade. But, as they become common and new versions arrive, the chips will probably drop a bit in price and make the upgrade more cost effective.
I hope this helps.
Let us know if you have other questions.
P.S., if you'd like, go ahead and click the "Helpful" or "Solved" buttons on any of the posts / replies above if you feel they were helpful or adequately answered your question.

I can't upgrade from 10.6.3 to 10.6.8 on my Core Duo iMac (2008).

I have just acquired an iMac Core Duo 2008 3.06GHz running Snow Leopard 10.6.3. I have tried both 'Software Update' and a 10.6.8 Combo download but I just get a 'failed' message 'contact your software manufacturer' as soon as I launch it. The combo I used is the same one that I had already successfully updated my work Mac Pro with, so I know the file is OK. Any ideas?

To repair Permissions, open Disk Utility in Utilities (that's in the Applications folder of the hard drive folder), select the startup volume, which will be second listed and indented. Just hit the Repair Permissions button and let it do its thing.
But do this when you've gotten into Safe Boot. Keep holding Shift down until you see a progress indicator bar at the bottom of the screen. After a while, this will bring you to a login window with "Safe Boot" in red letters. Then continue logging in.

Firmware upgrade for core duo imacs

i recently tried to upgrade the firmware on my core duo 20in imac, I went to the network utility where it only showed 802.11a,b,g indicating that it was the correct machine for the upgrade. I tried to install the upgrade and got the message the hardware on this computer is not right for the upgrade, or something like that.
Any help/advice as to why I cannot upgrade what seems to be a qualifying computer, this will make a big difference to my network.

taoryu, Welcome to the discussion area!
First of all how do you post a new topic on Apple Discussions.
It' very simple:
You go to the Apple.com > Support > Discussions > Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard > Mail and Address Book discussion area.
Click on the link titled "Post New Topic".
I have some friends who have prying eyes. I have some valuable information come through apple mail. They are not on the computer that often, so I'd rather NOT make a separate user account, but for the few times they are, I don't want Apple Mail so easy to access. Is there a way of securing the information like a password. EVERY email application I've seen has this option, Apple Mail must have something similar. Any ideas???
You already know the answer. Create a separate OS X user account and force them to log into that.

24" Core Duo iMacs and external Firewire disks

Hi guys,
I'm having a bit of an issue with the new iMac that I picked up yesterday. There seems to be an issue with mounting disk devices connected to the Firewire 400 port. Disk devices mount fine off the Firewire 800 port. The bizarre thing is that I plugged an old iSight camera into the Firewire 400 port and it works fine. This seems to eliminate both the possibility that the Firewire controller is faulty and that the FW 400 port is dead.
Just to remove the possibility that it could be a crappy driver, I installed XP via bootcamp but I get exactly the same issue. (although windows is a little more specific. It actually detects the name of the disk device but says it cannot be started)
I've zapped the PRAM and left the machine dormant and unplugged for 30 mins to no avail. Could someone plug a disk device into their FW400 port and see if they get the same issue i.e. nothing happens? (card reader, laptop in FW target mode, external HDD)
I'll take the machine back if I have to but I really loathe the though of lugging this thing back to the Apple store.
Thanks.
Danny

I also am having trouble.
I cannot mount my eMac in target disk mode. The only way I could get the eMac drive to mount was if I put a firewire disk in line with the eMac. i.e. a firewire cable from the eMac to the disk and another cable from the disk to the iMac. (Same model 24" 2.4GHz aluminum).
I thought the issue was with my eMac, but when I went to connect my Canon CanoScan 9950F scanner the iMac would not see it unless I also went through the firewire drive.
I have since learned that the drive does not have to be on and spun up, but it has to bridge the connection. The drive I'm using is model PHR-100AF Macally 3.5" enclosure.
I have been able to mount this drive without having to chain it through anything else. I've also been able to mount a Macally PHR-250CC 2.5" enclusure and a el cheapo 3.5" enclosure that uses the Prolific PL-3507 chip. Also, my 3rd generation iPod mounts just fine.
I don't have anything for the FW800 port so all my experiences are with the FW400 port.
My question is:
Is there something wrong with my iMac that it cannot mount my eMac in target disk mode without being chained to another external drive?
Is there something wrong with my beautiful, new 24" aluminum 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo imac that it cannot connect to my Canon CanoScan 9950F scanned?
I expect more from Apple. I expect that it should at least work with their own hardware (the eMac).
Should I go back to the Apple Store and complain?
Thanks,
Chris
p.s. I guess I should ask my own question huh?
Message was edited by: ctopher

Any Disadvantages to Core Duo iMac Having A 32 Bit Processor?

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