How do I upgrade to Mountain Lion?

I have tried to follow the basic instructions for upgrade, but I think there are more steps involved with the Leopard.

Backup first
It is always best to have a full bootable backup before you upgrade. If you fail to do this you will be unable to return to this OS if you decide you don't like the new OS. Also there is a slight chance that an install could lose everything on the Mac. The backup must be to an external hard disk. Preferably use Carbon Copy Cloner to make a bootable backup of the whole disk.
Erase before the install
Once you have a bootable backup on an external disk it is best to erase the internal disk with the new installer DVD before you install.
During the install
Preferably do not import any data or preferences from earlier OSs during the install process as this can reintroduce bugs.
OS numbers and names
OS X 10.4.x - Tiger
OS X 10.5.x - Leopard
OS X 10.6.x - Snow Leopard
OS X 10.7.x - Lion
OS X 10.8.x - Mountain Lion
More about Macs
The Apple History site has specifications for every Mac ever produced: http://www.apple-history.com/
Upgrade to Leopard
Those wishing to upgrade to Leopard should be aware that install disks can be expensive unless you contact Apple. Details: http://lowendmac.com/deals/best-os-x-leopard-prices.html Standard Leopard installers impose several hardware limitations including speed and RAM size but all these restrictions can be overcome. Google for details. Leopard works well at 500 MHz with 1 GB of RAM and many happy users have less than this.
Upgrade beyond Leopard
OSs beyond OS X 10.5.8 require an Intel processor. If in doubt check this: Click the apple at the top left of your screen and select 'About this Mac'. This will give you your OS number. Then click 'More Info' to see which processor you have. If it says PowerPC you cannot upgrade to Snow Leopard and above. If you have an Intel Mac it is well worth upgrading to Snow Leopard now and then considering other options after that. You can buy Snow Leopard here: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A
Upgrade beyond Snow Leopard
Information about upgrading Snow Leopard to Lion or Mountain Lion: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD256Z/A
Important
Check that your Mac complies with any requirements. If you are not in the US you should use the Change Country link at the bottom of Apple pages.

Similar Messages

  • I have a pre-2008 Mac PRO how do I upgrade to Mountain Lion?

    I have a pre-2008 Mac PRO how do I upgrade to Mountain Lion? On the Apple's site on upgrading (http://www.apple.com/osx/how-to-upgrade/), I see that "Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)" is required for the upgrade. What's up with that?
    Will upgrading of the GPU do the trick?
    I'm curretly on Snow Leopard, will I be limited to Lion?
    Kamal
    my system info:
    Hardware Overview:
      Model Name:          Mac Pro
      Model Identifier:          MacPro1,1
      Processor Name:          Dual-Core Intel Xeon
      Processor Speed:          2.66 GHz
      Number Of Processors:          2
      Total Number Of Cores:          4
      L2 Cache (per processor):          4 MB
      Memory:          13 GB
      Bus Speed:          1.33 GHz
      Boot ROM Version:          MP11.005C.B08
      SMC Version (system):          1.7f10
      Serial Number (system): xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
      Hardware UUID:          00000000-0000-1000-8000-00xxxxxxxx
    ATI Radeon X1900 XT:
      Chipset Model:          ATY,RadeonX1900
      Type:          GPU
      Bus:          PCIe
      Slot:          Slot-1
      PCIe Lane Width:          x16
      VRAM (Total):          512 MB
      Vendor:          ATI (0x1002)
      Device ID:          0x7249
      Revision ID:          0x0000
      ROM Revision:          113-A52027-140
      EFI Driver Version:          01.00.140

    I have the following Mac Pro which I have upgraded the GPU to an ATI Radeon HD 5770:
    Hardware Overview:
      Model Name:          Mac Pro
      Model Identifier:          MacPro1,1
      Processor Name:          Dual-Core Intel Xeon
      Processor Speed:          3 GHz
      Number of Processors:          2
      Total Number of Cores:          4
      L2 Cache (per Processor):          4 MB
      Memory:          8 GB
      Bus Speed:          1.33 GHz
      Boot ROM Version:          MP11.005C.B08
      SMC Version (system):          1.7f10
      Serial Number (system):          G86334VTUPZ
      Hardware UUID:          00000000-0000-1000-8000-0017F20153D2
    Mountain Lion won't install.
    Will this change or do I need to further upgrade the GPU.
    Thanks In Advance!
    --Dave K.

  • I have a macbook pro with OSX 10.5.8.  How do I upgrade to Mountain Lion when it is available?  I need to upgrade to run quickbooks and other apps

    I have a macbook pro with OSX 10.5.8.  How do I upgrade to Mountain Lion when it is available?  I need to upgrade to run quickbooks and other apps

    First, you need Snow Leopard (10.6): http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A. Then you use Software Update to update it to 10.6.8. When Mountain Lion (10.8) comes out, find it in the Mac App Store.

  • I have a Power Book SW version 10.5.8. How can I upgrade to Mountain Lion?

    Hello,
    I have a Power Book SW version 10.5.8. How can I upgrade to Mountain Lion?  I need to be able to download some graphics apps from the Mac store and I do not have that capability with 10.5.8.
    I am American but live in Italy so have missed an update or two.  When I went to the Mac store in the States this summer they told me if I could work well with this outdated version, to leave as is as I had missed two updates. Now I need to I need to be able to download some graphics apps from the Mac store and I do not have that capability with 10.5.8.  I need at least 6.6.0 it says.
    Thank you,
    Deborah

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
    Make sure your machine supports Snow Leopard requirements. The same with Mountain Lion if you want to move even further up the animal kingdom.

  • HT4461 how do i upgrade to mountain lion os?

    how do i upgrade to mountain lion os?

    Your Mac must be running Snow Leopard version 10.6.8 to get the App Store so that you can download and install Mountain Lion.
    Allan

  • How do I upgrade to mountain lion if I'm running leopard?

    How do I upgrade to mountain lion if I'm running leopard?

    Before you buy anything, first make sure your Mac is compatible.
    Minimum specs for Snow Leopard.  Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard -       Read the Technical Specifications
    For Mountain Lion.                     Apple - OS X Mountain Lion - Read the technical specifications.
    Once you've upgraded you will need to apply the Combo updater for Snow Leopard.          Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1
    Remember to repair permissions both before and after each upgrade/update.
    Upgrading to Mountain Lion.    Start by buying the Snow Leopard retail disc
    10.6.3, then update to 10.6.8 via the combo updater >>>
    You can no longer buy Snow Leopard from Apple retail, only as follows.  If you are in North America ... Buying Snow leopard from Apple.      Last I read, you must call them (1-800-MY-APPLE). It is $29 plus tax for family pack and $19 plus tax for a single.
    In Europe or otherwise call your National Apple Helpline … http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57

  • If I buy an Imac now how do i upgrade when mountain lion is released

    If I buy an Imac now how do i upgrade when mountain lion is released

    The same way most of us upgraded from Snow Leopard to Lion last summer. Perform one last backup just in case. Make sure all important software is up to date. Download the new OS from the Mac Apple Store. Run and wait until the installer finishes.
    That's the short version. If you do a little searching with Google you'll find  Macworld did a very nice upgrade article for Lion and I'm certain 99% of it will apply to ML as well.

  • My 2009 iMac is version 10.5.8 and build 9L31a. How can I upgrade to mountain lion?

    My 2009 iMac is version 10.5.8 and build 9L31a. How can I upgrade to mountain lion?

    You'll have to purchase, install and update Snow Leopard from the Apple Store to get the App Store application.
    Mountain Lion is only sold via the App Store.

  • How do I upgrade to Mountain lion from 10.5.8?

    So it seems as though this is going to be a major hassle. My java has corrupted and the only way to get it to work again is to upgrade my system.
    (I know that this is the only way because I have tried everything imaginable and after trying everything imaginable, I went to the apple store and the rep told me the only way to fix the problem is to upgrade my OS because apple no longer offers patches for 10.5.) BTW, 10.5.8 does not have the App store.. which seems to be where I am running into all of my problems.
    Since I have to upgrade my system, I want to go ahead and upgrade it to the most recent OS (which is mountain lion). It seems like the only way to do this is to buy snow leapord (which is no longer offered by apple) and then to purchase mountain lion from the app store. So now my problem is where to buy snow leapord? Well it seems like amazon and a number of other non apple retailers offer it for $100+ which is absolutely rediculous for an OS that used to cost $19.99 when it came out.
    So I guess my real question is, can I buy the mountain lion OS on a usb flash drive and just bypass having to buy snow leapord? I know its not out on the flash drive yet, but will it eventually come out on the flash drive? If not, can I just buy lion on the USB and bypass having to buy snow leapord? Or has apple found a way to make me spend unnecessary money on a system that I will not use because I am just going to buy their more recent system?
    I appreciate any and all help as I am seemingly at an impass (unless I want to spend in excess of $130 just to get a $30 OS).

    Those are all questions for Apple to answer and I'm sorry do not have anything to do with Pages.
    There are several alternatives. Apple did have Lion on a USB flash drive, you could try installing that then using the M.A.S. to upgrade to Mountain Lion.
    When you install Lion/Mountain Lion btw, make sure you back up the installer to use directly in the future. There are several guides how to do that online.
    Peter

  • I have a mac book 10.4.11. how do i upgrade to mountain lion?

    Do i have to download operating systems in oder or can i just download mountain lion?

    Upgrading to Mountain Lion
    You can upgrade to Mountain Lion from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. Mountain Lion can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $19.99. To access the App Store you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.6 or later installed.
    If you need to purchase Snow Leopard you can still purchase a copy from Apple's online store's telesales agents.[1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753) or Customer Service and Sales Support at 1-800-676-2775.] Ask for a Sales Representative.
    Third-party sources for Snow Leopard are:
    Snow Leopard from Amazon.com
    Snow Leopard from eBay
    After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store.
    If you need to purchase Lion call 1-800-692-7753 or 1-800-676-2775. Ask for a Sales Representative. They will check your Apple ID, and email you a code and instructions.  The cost is $29.99 (as it was before) plus tax.  It's a download.
    Be sure your computer meets the minimum requirements:
    Apple - OS X Mountain Lion - Read the technical specifications.
    Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion
    iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
    MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
    MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
    MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
    Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
    Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
    Xserve (Early 2009)
    Are my applications compatible?
    See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps - App compatibility and feature support for OS X & iOS.
    Am I eligible for the free upgrade?
    See Apple - Free OS X Mountain Lion upgrade Program.
    For a complete How-To introduction from Apple see Apple - Upgrade your Mac to OS X Mountain Lion.

  • I am currently running OS X 10.5.8 How do I upgrade to Mountain Lion

    I am currently running OS X 10.5.8 How do I upgrade to Mountain Lion

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2455 - 10.6 upgrade guide
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2465 - 10.7 upgrade guide
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3761 - 10.8 upgrade guide

  • I have a mac book 10.6.8 that has been upgraded to Snow Leopard (latest version.) How can I upgrade to mountain lion with 1GB of memory? When I go to buy it, it says that it's not compatible with my Mac but my Mac has all of the qualifications.

    If anyone has any idea I'd really appreciate it. I just bought the iphone 5 and recieved the new nano as a birthday gift and now I'm up a creek without a paddle b/c I can't plug them into my laptop without the new itunes that runs on Mountain Lion.
    Please help, I'm not very tech savvy.

    You don't need anything higher than OSX 10.6.8 to run iTunes 11.  iTunes system requirements - http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
    You can't upgrade without more RAM.
    MacBook upgrade possibilities - https://discussions.apple.com/message/19577869 - "The Early 2006 model 1,1 Core Duo can only run a maximum of 10.6 Snow Leopard. The models Late 2006 Core 2 Duos 2,1 through Early 2008 4,1 can only run a maximum of 10.7 Lion. The Late 2008 model 5,1 Aluminum Unibody through the Mid 2010 White Unibody model 7,1 can run 10.8 Mountain Lion."
    Kappy 08/2012 post on upgrading to Snow Leopard, then Lion or Mountain Lion -  https://discussions.apple.com/message/19401628 - including how to get Snow Leopard and Lion since Apple removed them from the online store.  (Update 11/2012: SL is now available online again http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard - USA http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard - UK)

  • HT5167 How can I upgrade to Mountain Lion without the App Store App?

    I accidentally deleted the App Store App on Lion.  How do I upgrade from Lion to Mountain Lion OS w/o the App Store?

    Hello,
    Try to redownload and install the 10.7.4 combo update here :
    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1524
    And tell us if the Mac App Store is back.
    Hope this will help.

  • If I have OS X 10.5.8 installed, how do I upgrade to Mountain Lion? Do I need Snow Leopard first?

    I have a MacBook Pro from 2008, and I would like to install Mountain Lion, but I currently have 10.5.8 (which I think is Tiger?). Do I need Snow Leopard first in order to get Mountain Lion? Where can I buy Mountain Lion (since I can't get Mac App Store with my current OS...
    Thanks!
    Jo

    You'll need to purchase Snow Leopard (10.6) from the Apple Store before you can use the App Store application.

  • I have 10.5.8 on my computer. I need to upgrade so I can use Turbo Tax. How do I upgrade to Mountain Lion

    If I have 10.5.8 which operating system do I have? How do I do the next upgrade?

    If you are running 10.5.8 then you have Leopard.   The next step up will be Sbow Leopard ... providing your machine can accept it ... read the following.
    Minimum specs for Snow Leopard.              Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard -Read the Technical Specifications
    You can buy the disk from ... in the USA go to http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
    In Europe or otherwise substitute your national code in place of /us above.
    In the UK …  the last known price was £14.
    Before you start upgrading, back up your files.
    Once you have upgraded to Snow Leopard you will need to apply the Combo updater.   Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1  and follow with a software update to pick up any later updates.

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