Multiple installs on software update?

Hi...can anyone tell me why when I do a 'software update' I keep seeing I need to update my firmware 1.5.1? It looks like I've also installed it 7 times now! (see system log below):
2008-04-23 07:34:32 -0400: Installed "MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update" (1.5.1)
2008-04-23 12:02:15 -0400: Installed "MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update" (1.5.1)
2008-04-30 07:41:08 -0400: Installed "MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update" (1.5.1)
2008-04-30 09:09:19 -0400: Installed "Java For Mac OS X 10.5 Update 1" (1.0)
2008-05-07 12:20:07 -0400: Installed "MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update" (1.5.1)
2008-05-14 07:41:19 -0400: Installed "MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update" (1.5.1)
2008-05-14 10:09:49 -0400: Installed "MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update" (1.5.1)
2008-05-19 16:51:45 -0400: Installed "MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update" (1.5.1)
I don't know if it's related but it seems my MacBook Pro is now having problems reading blank CD's too..DVD's are fine..but CD's it ejects 5 times out of 10. Could these be related? Thanks.

But I haven't seen any instructions. Software update just says you have to update this and then you click 'install update'...I've never seen anywhere that tells you about special instructions for the firmware...should I be noting this somewhere?
do I just shut down, and hold power button until I hear some beeps? thanks

Similar Messages

HT1551 How do I fix a 2nd generation Apple TV that does not restore to factory settings after a failed installation of software update 6.0?

Yesterday, I got asked by my 2nd generation Apple TV if I wanted to update download and install the new software update. I clicked "Yes" and the download and installation process began. Nothing out of the ordinary happened and when the installation completed the Apple TV automatically rebooted itself, which is what has happened with previous software updates.
Alas, after reboot, the only thing that appeared on screen was an old iTunes logo (the one with the CD in the background) and what looked like a USB cable. I went online and found out that other people had been experiencing similar problems with the newly released Apple TV 6.0 update and that they had also ended up with the same image on their screen.
As it turns out, this image apparently means that you need to restore your Apple TV to factory settings by hooking it up to your computer using a micro-USB cable and then using iTunes to restore it in a way analogous to restoring an iPhone via iTunes.
I followed all of the instructions to the letter such as disconnecting my Apple TV from all cables including the power cord and then hooking it up to my computer with the micro-USB cable. I opened iTunes and absolutely nothing happened. The Apple TV does not appear as a device so I am not able to restore it.
I have attempted rebooting my computer and leaving my Apple TV disconnected for a while before hooking it up to my computer since it apparently has an internal baterry that keeps a charge for about 30 seconds after being disconnected. Nothing has worked.
Any ideas on how to fix this?
System configuration:
Apple TV 2nd generation running update 5.3
iTunes version 11.1 (126)
Mac OS X 10.8.5 on an Intel Core 2 Duo

Did you follow the instructions here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4367
Pay attention to differences in power connection depending on whether or not you have AppleTV2 or AppleTV 3.
Also some microUSB leads don't seem to work - try another if you can. Disconnect superfluous USB device/hubs too if possible.
AC

Installation of software updates in mail, firefox etc.

When I recently did updates to several programs including firefox, safari, and mail, they will not open. It seems the update loaded correctly, but then the program will not open. Any ideas how to fix it?

The computer is set up for automatic updates.
That could be the problem.
General advice on updating:
It is worth noting that it is an extreme rarity for updates to cause upsets to your system, as they have all been extensively beta-tested, but they may well reveal pre-existing ones, particularly those of which you may have been unaware. If you are actually aware of any glitches, make sure they are fixed before proceeding further.
So before you do anything else:
If you can, make a full backup first to an external hard disk. Ideally you should always have a bootable clone of your system that enables you to revert to the previous pre-update state.
Turn off sleep mode for both screen and hard disk.
Disconnect all peripherals except your keyboard and mouse.
1. Repair Permissions (in Disk Utility)
2. Verify the state of your hard disk using Disk Utility. If any faults are reported, restart from your install disk (holding down the C key), go to Disk Utility, and repair your startup disk. Restart again to get back to your startup disk.
At least you can now be reasonably certain that your system does not contain any obvious faults that might cause an update/upgrade to fail.
3. Download the correct version of the COMBO update from the Apple download site. If your car runs on gasoline you would not want to fill the tank with diesel, so don’t try to install the PPC updater on an Intel Mac!
The 10.4.11 Combo Updater for PPC Macs is here: http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_4_11_Combo_Update__PPC
And for Intel Macs: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/macosx_updates/macosx10411comboupdat eintel.html
If you prefer to download updates via Software Update in the Apple menu (which would ensure that the correct version for your Mac was being downloaded), it is not recommended to allow SU to install major (or even minor) updates automatically. Set Software Update to just download the updater without immediately installing it. There is always the possibility that the combined download and install (which can be a lengthy process) might be interrupted by a power outage or your cat walking across the keyboard, and an interrupted install will almost certainly cause havoc. Once it is downloaded, you can install at a time that suits you. You should make a backup copy of the updater on a CD in case you ever need a reinstall.
Full details about the 10.4.11 update here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24901?viewlocale=en_US
More information on using Software Updater here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24901?viewlocale=en_US
Using the Combo updater ensures that all system files changed since the original 10.4.0 are included, and any that may have been missed out or subsequently damaged will be repaired. The Delta updater, although a temptingly smaller download, only takes you from the previous version to the new one, i.e. for example from 10.4.10 to 10.4.11. Software Update will generally download the Delta updater only. The preferable Combo updater needs to be downloaded from Apple's download site.
Now proceed as follows:
4. Close all applications and turn off energy saving and screensaver.
5. Unplug all peripherals except your keyboard and mouse.
6. Install the update/upgrade. Do not under any circumstances interrupt this procedure. Do not do anything else on your computer while it is installing. Be patient.
7. When it ask for a restart to complete the installation, click restart. This can take longer than normal, there are probably thousands of files to overwrite and place in the correct location. Do nothing while this is going on.
8. Once your Mac is awake, repair permissions again, and you should be good to go!
If your Mac seems slightly sluggish or ‘different’, perform a second restart. It can’t hurt and is sometimes efficacious!
9. Open a few of your most used applications and check that all is OK. In this connection please remember that not all manufacturers of third party applications and plug-ins, add-ons, haxies etc, will have had time to do any necessary rewrites to their software to make them compliant with the latest version of your operating system. Give them a weeks or two while you regularly check their websites for updates. This applies particularly to plug-ins for Safari 3.
N.B. Do not attempt to install two different updates at the same time as each may have different routines and requirements. Follow the above recommendations for each update in turn.
Lastly, Apple's own article on the subject of Software Update may also be useful reading:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106695
If you are updating Safari (or just have):
Input Managers from third parties can do as much harm as good. They use a security loophole to reach right into your applications' code and change that code as the application starts up. If you have installed an OS update and Safari is crashing, the very first thing to do is clear out your InputManagers folders (both in your own Library and in the top-level /Library), log out and log back in, and try again.
So, disable all third party add-ons before updating Safari, as they may not have been updated yet for the new version. Add them back one by one. If something goes awry, remove it again and check on the software manufacturer's website for news of an update to match your version of Safari. Remember: Tiger up to 10.4.10 used Safari 2.0.4 or, if you downloaded it, Safari 3.0.3 beta. Safari 10.4.11 used Safari 3.0.4 which was not a beta. If Safari 3.1.2 on 10.4.11 is not the fastest browser you have ever used, then something is wrong!
Moreover, trying to revert to Safari 3.0.4 (or worse still, version 2) when running 10.4.11 or 10.5 can have repercussions, as Safari 3.1.1 uses a completely different webkit on which other applications like iChat, Mail and Dashboard Widgets etc also rely, and may entail you having to reinstall an earlier operating system.
Most errors reported here after an update are due to an unrepaired or undetected inherent fault in the system, and/or a third party ad-on. Two such add-on that have been frequently mentioned here for causing such problems are Piclens and Pithhelmet. If you have them, trash them.
Additional tips on software installation here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106692
To reiterate, Input Managers reach right into an application and alter its code. This puts the behavior of the affected application outside the control and responsibility of its developers: a recipe for problems. That's not to say that issues absolutely will ensue as a result of Input Managers, but you, as a user, must decide. If the functionality of a specific Input Manager or set thereof is really important to you, you may well choose to assume the associated risk.
Again, the advice is to remove all Input Managers from the following directories:
• /Library/InputManagers
• ~/Library/InputManagers
especially prior to system updates (they can always be added back one-by-one later).

Installer and software update problems

Hello! I just bought a new Hard Drive for my iMac G5 and installed Mac OS 10.4.6 from the DVD I had. The first thing I did when i got my system running, was to open Software Update. I didn't want to wait, so I selected for download only iTunes 7 and Java 5. I had planned to download Mac 10.4.10 later.
However, an hour later, I tried to open Software Update - and it simply refused! I download 10.4.10 Combo from the Apple web site and tried to open the file. No luck! Downloader starts for a second and then quits. Any help? Much appreciated!

Yuri, welcome, I would Erase the hard drive and re-install the OS, then apply the Combo Updater. There have been so many problem reported here when trying run the new i-apps and not upgrading the OS.
Joe

Installation of Software Update Stuck

Hi Everyone,
I am doing a software update on my iMac and it is stuck. The blue bar is still animated. I have been waiting for about 30 minutes. Has anyone else encountered this problem with the new software update to OS X Mavericks? The computer came installed with OS X Mavericks. Any suggestions on what I should do?
Thanks!
Paige

Let it run for an hour or so longer, if the download or update failes simply restart the computer and retry.

App Store consistently fails to update apps - but shows multiple installs

The App Store app on my MBP running OS 10.9.2 consistently fails to install software updates, and shows multiple installations in the Updates "log". I've had to reinstall the OS to get to 10.9.2 after multiple failures (with corresponding entries in App Store Updates and incessant hanging at install), and had to troll around the Apple Support Communities to find a URL for Safari 7.0.3 after it also showed falsely as having updated.
Anyone have an idea about what is going on? Missing good old Software Update.

Hi Eskimo Boy,
I have he *EXACT* same issue. I even reinstalled Mavericks completely from scratch and tried TONS of other things.
What I tried so far is (incomplete list):
Set up new user and tried to update => failed.MAS consistently crashes when launched under the new user. => no solution but rather an additional problem => failed.
Tried to update in safe mode => failed.
Tried to reinstall Mavericks => failed.
Tried to reinstall Mavericks and migrate all user data from Time Machine backup => failed.
Tried PRAM reset => failed.
Even tried the highly overrated check permissions => failed.
Whatever I try, I just can't update iBooks from 1.0 to 1.0.1 and Safari from 7.0.2 to 7.0.3. If you have any solution, then please let me know.
Cheers, Paul
P.S.: APPLE! THIS DRIVES ME NUTS! IT DRIVES ME NUTS JUST AS MUCH AS YOUR LOCATION SERVICE NOT WORKING PROBLEM!

HT5381 i did a software update and now mail wont open at all

Help......my mail app is coming up with an error "You can't use this version of Mail with this version of Mac OS X". Can I uninstall the update?

!! WARNING !!
about the September 2012
"Security Update 2012-004"
If you've got "Mail.app" in a folder OTHER THAN the root "Applications" folder,
MOVE "MAIL.APP" TO THE APPLICATIONS FOLDER
**BEFORE** INSTALLING THE "004" UPDATE!!
Because *IF* you use OSX's integrated Software Update app from the Apple menu to do the "004" updating, and *IF* your Mail.app is NOT in the Applications folder, then buddy, you've got some sitdown fixit time ahead of ya and/or some internet tie-up time downloading the "004" update file itself.
Been through it all, already. In fact, just got done getting my Mail back up & running. And I tried everything short of attempting to unpacking my "Mail.pkg" receipt file using... whatever... even Pacifist couldn't get it out. So that fixit "Plan D" died quick. And I'm not savvy enough to use Terminal commands to do "Plan E," so that SUDO stuff was my brick wall.
So I compressed my entire "Mail" subdirectory that contain all my emails, for safekeeping during the required surgery, or whatever would work, leaving the original Mail directory where it was. In case something bad happened in all my fixit whatevers, the one thing I *didn't* want to cross paths with was a hosed Library -> Mail folder. Then I'd be pssd. But I can wipe out that ZIP now 'cause all's well now. After 6 hrs of downloading thru a mobile broadband hotspot running at only 14KB/sec speed due to my having gone over my T-Mobile hotspot plan's bandwidth amount (throttled-down after reaching the limit, tho not cut off completely. Kinda nice, but it's a huge speed drop).
I tried moving the two Mail.app versions around, compressing them & then trashing the original so they wouldn't be recognized, blabla, even booted my Mac in Safe Mode & reinstalled the "MacOSX 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) Update Combo.dmg" update file, which in the past has fixed many problems. But after restarting, not this one.
Like a dummy who ignored knowing better, I had my Mail.app in a folder other than the Applications folder, with only an alias to that being in the Applications folder. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. The updater don't see that as nuthin special or useful.
So if you've got, like I've got, "old" icons for Mail.app (v4.5) in your Finder toolbar & in your Dock that all point to "Mail.app v4.5" in whatever folder you've got that in, other than in the Applications folder (where Apple apparently REQUIRES that it be located, and ONLY there, at least for OSX updating purposes), then after you download & autorun that "004" updater using Software Update, NONE of your pre-existing Mail icons will work. And MOST aggravatingly, **NOR** will your brand-new "Mail.app v4.6" work that came out of the "004" updating installation. So basically, your Mail.app's... all of 'em.... are hosed. But only if you run the "004" update without your "Mail.app v4.5" being located in your Applications folder and ONLY in your Applications folder. And duplicates of Mail.app, scattered around your HDD?? Always a problem with many Apple apps.... The Apple software engineers apparently like 'em to be in the Applications folder, and in ONLY there, and ONLY the latest version, and ONLY 1 single copy of each on your entire HDD. They just don't seem to stress that enough, it appears. Kind of an oversight for them to not emphasize that, IMO...
My recommendation for this particular September 2012 "004" update:
If you run Software Update, and if you see the "Security Update 2012-004" listed as available for download, UNCHECKMARK IT. DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT USING SOFTWARE UPDATE ! Instead, download the actual update file itself.
Same thing, only a different way of doing it. Most importantly, you'll be skipping the auto-installation that Software Update performs.
AND you'll have that update file on your HDD for future fixits, should a nasty "unfixable" problem come up.
First, #1. Do a filename search for "Mail" (Option-Command-Spacebar). Scroll down to where the "Apps" are located in the list under the "Kind" column heading. First, find your Mail.app that's v4.5. Get that bugger into your Applications folder if it's not already there. Next, Trash all other "Mail.app" apps you see in that same list that you may have elsewhere on your HDD.
#2. Go here: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1586
And download the actual "004" DMG update file: "SecUpd2012-004.dmg"
And of course, it's a biggie.... 270MB... so watching grass grow may be involved here if you've got a slow connection (go to a MacDonalds & do it, like I shoulda done).
3. After downloading, I'd recommend closing down all apps, emptying the Trash, and restarting.
Then, after restarting, run Disk Utility's "Repair Disk Permissions."
Then, doublecheck that the Mail.app version 4.5 is in your Applications folder.
THEN fire up & install "SecUpd2012-004.dmg."
Reboot.
After the reboot, your Mail.app version 4.5 in the Applications folder will have become Mail.app version 4.6 in the Applications folder, and all will be well again.
And you can dump that zipped-up "Username -> Library -> Mail" folder then, too.
Happy Mac'in!
Kevin Kendall
Macbook 7,1
(Apple's very last all-white Macbook model)
2.4GHz - 256GB Crucial SSD - 8GB Crucial RAM
OS 10.6.8 Build 10K549 + Win 7 Ultimate thru VMWare Fusion v5.0.1

Crashes ever since latest software update

Ever since I downloaded and installed the latest Apple software updates to my computer (Mac OS X 10.4.9 if I remember correctly, and whatever are the most recent updates to iTunes, QuickTime, and Backup), I've been unable to open Mail. Every time I try to launch it, it crashes and gives me the message "The application Mail quit unexpectedly." The only things I've changed in my computer since the last time I was able to use Mail have been those software updates. Has anyone else had this problem? Can anyone suggest ways I can fix it?

Problems arising right after installing a system update are usually the result of some filesystem corruption that should have been fixed first, or not having installed the update properly (e.g. applications running while installing it), or having ignored Apple’s “Important: Please read before installing” warnings, etc.
Verify/repair the startup disk (not just permissions), as described here:
The Repair functions of Disk Utility: what's it all about?
After having fixed all the filesystem issues, if any, reinstall the update using the combo installer:
About the Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update for PowerPC
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update for Intel
After installing the Combo Update, the computer may restart twice and the first restart may take several minutes. This is normal.
Take a look at the following articles for guidelines on how to properly install system updates:
Troubleshooting installation and software updates
Installing software updates
<hr>
The above may or may not solve the problem, but will allow us to at least troubleshoot it properly. Post back with your observations when done. In particular, does Mail crash immediately or when it starts to download messages.
If Mail crashes immediately upon start up, the cause could be a troublesome message that Mail tries to load every time you open it. Try launching Mail holding the Shift key down until the main window appears. This tells Mail to not select any mailboxes or load any messages upon start up.
If Mail crashes when it starts to download new mail, try the following to check whether the junk filter could have a bearing on it and post back with your observations:
1. Either tell Mail to go offline immediately after opening it, or shut down your Internet connection and open Mail afterwards.
2. Go to Preferences > Junk Mail and disable junk mail filtering.
3. Go online again.

Wireless internet broken by last Airport software update

Systems: 800MHz 17" iLamp with Airport card and a 933MHz G3 iBook with an Airport card, both machines running 10.3.9, and an Asante FR1104-G wireless router. I've had a wireless connection using 128-bit WEP security for months with no problems. But since Software Update pushed an Airport update, the wireless connection doesn't work.
Symptoms:
*At restart the system has forgotten the previously selected network.
*When I manually reselect the network, it shows connected with strong signal in the menubar status icon.
*In Network preferences, it says "AirPort is connected to the network [my network]. AirPort does not have an IP address and cannot connect to the Internet". Nothing I can figure out can persuade it to get an IP (the router is using DHCP).
*When I open Internet Connect, it goes into the infinite beachball. I have let it sit for upwards of 10 minutes and it never finishes loading.
*Every so often, during system shutdown I get a dialog from Keychain saying that Airport has updated and wants access to my network password key. I click "Always allow".
*The first time this happened, I was able to get the wireless connection back by shutting down the computer, making a wired connection to the router, and restarting. When the machine came back up, both connections were active and had an IP.
*I just had to restart after downloading the new QuickTime and iTunes updates, and now the wireless connection is completely dead and my previous method to restore it doesn't work.
*I've done the obvious: repaired permissions, tried tossing the internet connect and airport prefs files.
Any ideas?

Your optimistic projections notwithstanding, I am currently about two-thirds of the way through recovery from this disaster. My first attempt to upgrade from 10.2 to 10.3 failed (I must not have been clear that I do not have a full retail set of 10.3 disks, only the upgrade.) I was forced to do a clean install and then the upgrade took, and then of course multiple passes through Software Update until finally it offered me Airport 4.2 (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!) And now, when my backup of my backup is complete, I will attempt to restore my users, settings, &c. If things go well I hope to be fully up and running sometime tomorrow morning. In between all that was a trip to my local Genius Bar, where the Genius I saw could only have been less helpful if he had attacked my computer - or me - with a claw hammer.
I know, this isn't the place to rant about how Apple should never have let such an egregiously broken update get out the door - but I'm going to anyway. How could this happen? And having happened, how could they not notify us of the problem - say, with a big flashing light on the Apple home page - and give us an ETA for a fix? ("I think it would be more appropriate if the box bore a large red label: WARNING, Lark's Vomit!") This is the kind of behavior I expect from Microsoft. From this insanely great company, I expect better.
Suffice it to say, today I am not Apple's friend.

HELP! Problems with MacBook after software updates install.

Hi Guys,
I have a friend of mine that has a MacBook. After a while without doing the software updates she connected her MacBook on the internet and there was a lot of software updates to do, so she went on and install everything. She describes me that the problem was with Tiger 10.4.11, it pop up a "Warning Sign - Error" and freezes she says.
She re-start the computer and It get stuck on the gray window with the Apple with the lil circle spinning endless.
Is there any tip or something that I can help her?...
[Sorry about my english... lol)

Hello coreanomac!
The following Apple Support article is good for working through the problem. Based on your explanation of what happened, follow the advice of the "Try a different software update source" and "Installation fails during 'optimization'" paragraphs of the "Troubleshooting an unsuccessful installation" section:
Mac OS X: Troubleshooting installation and software updates
Also reading the "Before Installing" section may be useful, as well.

Software updater refuses to load

I've found multiple discussions about software updater problems, but I believe mine is different. Running latest version of NSU (8.1) on XP SP3 w Trend AV/FW software. No matter whether I exit Trend or not, starting NSU only displays the initial boilerplate, then nothing. No error message, no progress. So, I'm hoping someone recognizes this and has a nifty solution to offer.
Lars.

Hi and Welcome to the Community!
I suggest this thread:
http://supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/Desktop-Software-for-PC/Cleanly-quot-Starting-Over-quot-with-...
It starts with a process for cleanly starting over, and there is some discussion, and there is also a post (15) with links to older Desktop Software versions, if those are needed. Note that this is not, by any means, guaranteed to work...but it has worked for many to resolve issues they are having.
Good luck!
Occam's Razor nearly always applies when troubleshooting technology issues!
If anyone has been helpful to you, please show your appreciation by clicking the button inside of their post. Please click here and read, along with the threads to which it links, for helpful information to guide you as you proceed. I always recommend that you treat your BlackBerry like any other computing device, including using a regular backup schedule...click here for an article with instructions.
Join our BBM Channels
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HT201380 keep having scrolling problems with Maverick on both iMac and Mac Pro despite downloading mail software update

Have scrolling problems with Maverick despite downloading mail update on both IMAC and Mac Pro
Have to reboot and it helps for awhile then stalls again

The Mac OS X 10.4.7 Update introduced connection issues as a result of (according to the documentation) "Mail now supports connecting to mail servers through a SOCKS proxy". This probably has nothing to do with your problem, but it'd be worth going to System Preferences > Network and making sure the SOCKS Proxy is not enabled in the network configuration used to connect to the Internet.
Also, it looks like the crashes you're talking about are actually freezes, i.e. Mail becomes unresponsive rather than quitting unexpectedly. In Mail, open Window > Activity Viewer, and see whether Mail displays there what it's doing when it freezes. Actually, you may be able to avoid having to force quit Mail by canceling whatever it's doing (by clicking on the red stop icon of the activity).
Reinstalling Mail will probably accomplish nothing, but it might be worth reinstalling the Combo Update for the type of machine and the version of Mac OS X you're using (which you would have to do anyway if you wanted to reinstall Mail):
Mac OS X 10.4.7 Combo Update for Intel
Take a look at the following articles for guidelines on how to properly install system updates:
Troubleshooting installation and software updates
Installing software updates
Basically, you should verify/repair the startup disk before installing the update, and no applications should be running while installing it.

Ran software update and now all my bookmarks are gone.

I ran a software update and when I opened Safari I noticed all my bookmarks are gone. I located the Bookmarks.plist and it shows nothing of my old (2 1/2 years worth of) bookmarks in it. Is there any way I can get them back or am I toast?
Any help would be great.

You may be toast.
Do you have any backups of your system, or at least your user library file?
Have you used Spotlight to search your system? The installer via Software Update updates the app, however leaves the Safari folder in the User Library alone. If for some reason you moved this folder, a new one would be created when you started up Safari after the update.
Please post back.

IPad 4 will not connect to iTunes it come up with download lastest software update but when I check the computer said it is up to date?

Why does my computer not recognise the latest update for iTunes that the iPad 4 said I need?

You still didn't provide full information. Look at http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/index-imac.html and you will see the number of iMacs that fit your description, all of which have widely varying capabilities.
So going on what I know:
1) Make sure your computer meets Snow Leopard technical specifications - http://support.apple.com/kb/SP575 This mostly means making sure it is an Intel Mac and has at least 1GB RAM (at least 2 GB is recommended). Go to the Apple in the upper left corner of any window to "About This Mac". Does it mention "PowerPC" (not Intel), or Intel? To check RAM continue to "More Info...". It should say you have at least 1GB of "memory".
2) Buy a Snow Leopard disc from Apple online
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
or telephone Apple. In the USA: (800) 676-2775 (contact information for other countries: http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57)
Alternatively you can buy from online retailers but anticipate paying much more than the original price which is the price still charged by Apple
3) Backing up your computer before upgrading is always a good idea.
4) After installing from the DVD, update your Snow Leopard installation using Software Update or manually downloading and installing the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v.1.1 - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399
I have one of the first iMac 20inch with the bit built into the screen.
"Bit"? = big?
The truly first 20" iMacs will not upgrade to Snow Leopard which is required for iPad4 support.

I recently installed Lion and now my software update won't work

Everytime I try to click on software udpate it says "Checking for new software" with a progress bar and then
"The Software Update Server is not responding. Check to make sure your network connection is operating normally. If there are no issues with your connection, contact your network administrator for assistance."
My internet connection is fine and I suspect this is related to the Lion download. Please help!

Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ If you’re running Mac OS X 10.7 or later, open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the page that opens.
Select "/var/log/install.log" from the file list. Post the messages from the last installation attempt, starting from the time when you launched the Installer or Software Update.
Post the log text, please, not a screenshot. If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don’t post many repetitions of the same message.
Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Edit it out by search-and-replace in a text editor before posting.

Multiple installs on software update?

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