Upgrade disk for iMac 5,2 ?

I have an older iMac which apparently has a sata 1.5Ghz interface. I am wondering if it is worth putting a new high performance drive like a Western Digital Caviar Black, or is the peformance of the system going to be limited by the slower sata interface. I don't want to pay for disk performance that won't make any difference in the overall performance of the iMac. Any suggestions for suitable drives is welcome.

Yes I have put two 3 Gb/s WD Caviar Blue's in the Earlier iMac's, a 320GB WD Caviar Blue in an Early Core Duo 4,1 iMac and 500GB WD Caviar Blue in a Core 2 Duo 5,1 iMac.
Welcome to Western Digital US Online Store
I perfer using Blues in the all-in-one iMac's, because they tend to run cooler and quieter that the blacks.

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How do I reinstall Lion if I get a new hard drive? My mac came with Leopard and I cannot find my upgrade disk for Snow Leopard

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The only way to do that is to buy a New SL Retail DVD. Or you could buy the Lion Install USB thumb drive from Apple for $69.
You must have SL installed to then install Lion or have a thumb drive with the Lion installer.
You could also create a Lion USB Recovery thumb drive using Lion Disk Assistant. But you need to have Lion already installed and the Lion RecoveryHD Partition on your drive to make the Recovery thumb drive.
Lion Recovery Disk Assistant

Startup disk for imac g5

Hi,
i need to startup disk for imac g5
<Edited by Host>

Call AppleCare. If they don't have it, then the 10.4.6 retail installer can at least give you the ability to install the lowest possible operating system:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2541
And the 10.4.11 combo PowerPC update will help you bring yourself back up to where you currently are.
Mind you, you should backup your data prior to installing anything. There are 10.4 compatible versions of Carbon Copy Cloner and Superduper that can make an exact replica of your Mac to a Firewire hard drive, and Firewire 400/800 cables that can connect current Firewire 800 drives, if you can't find a 400 drive.
http://www.macsales.com/ sells lots of good external hard drives for Macs.
Do not buy a hard drive with manufacturer backup software installed as that may not remain compatible through updates.
You can't get Classic installed without the restore discs.
Some Apple usergroups may have people with the correct restore discs:
http://www.apple.com/usergroups/
Please remove the serial number from your profile.

Install disk for iMac won't install

I have a Mid-2011 iMac which I'm prepping for resale. It had been upgraded to Lion. But, I believe, no further. I cleared the drive and wanted to reinstall the OS and apps. Installing from the DVD got me the grey screen problem. So, I booted into Snow Leopard (the OS it shipped with) from an external drive. Then I tried to install the OS from the DVD which came with the machine. I got the message:
mac os x snow leopard cannot be installed on this computer
How is that possible? It was the install disk for this computer. What can I do?
I tried just installing Lion. That went fine. But, I couldn't install the apps which came with the machine.
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Thanks!

The licensing issues got real murky (aka complicated) after they went to digital download only as anything obtained at the app store is not transferable and tied to the original Apple ID. So, the system throws up all sorts of ..... If Pages et al was bundled, then no, I don't think it would install as that is filed under the "non-transferable" category I believe. If you had a retail iWork/iLife disk, you should be able to install them (but must include the disks when selling). You may have the wrong disks as well: mine came with 10.6.4 (2010) and so I can't use the retail version as that is 10.6.3. I'll post a screenshot at the end of build/OS numbers.
I did a fair amount of testing on a 2010 iMac (purchased refurb in 2012) with Lion installed and the machine specific SL disks with it. I initially wiped the drive and reinstalled Snow Leopard. I updated the firmware at some point to allow recovery and, from what I've read, that is what is preventing you from being able to reinstall with the SL disk. I know I have the right disks because they worked initially, but I can no longer use them to boot from. So, I rely on bootable clones (which I prefer anyway).
From this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159#iMac

Getting a replacement start up disk for imac

How to get a replacement start up disk for my imac?
I lost the original startup disk and the mac didn't start up, only with "?" folder.

Call Apple technical support. They can probably sell you a new set of the original disks for a reasonable fee, if your iMac did come with installation disks (Macs that shipped with OS X 10.7 or 10.8 did not come with disks).
Regards.

Mac OS 8.6 or Restore Disks for iMac G3?

I recently was given an iMac G3 (original tray loading CD-ROM drive).
The original owner took the original harddrive out, and didnt have the original restore disks.
While I was cleaning it I loaded a new blank harddrive in. Now when it turns on it I get a grey screen with a folder icon in the center and a blinking question mark, I assume it's looking for the OS files.
Anyway, what are my options here? Is there files I can download or a CD I can order?
Further, how would I load the OS once I get it? Would it load off the disk automatically or is there a series of keys I'd have to press to start it loading?
Sorry, this is the first Mac anything I've owned, little lone tried to restore.

SPV999 wrote:
I recently was given an iMac G3 (original tray loading CD-ROM drive).
The original owner took the original harddrive out, and didnt have the original restore disks.
What iMac do you have?
Query by serial number
"A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. It's used for various things depending on the product / brand but what is your Mac's serial number for and more importantly... what is it hiding and what can it do for you ?"
http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php
or
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
( hint by K Shaffer )
While I was cleaning it I loaded a new blank harddrive in. Now when it turns on it I get a grey screen with a folder icon in the center and a blinking question mark, I assume it's looking for the OS files.
Yes.
Anyway, what are my options here? Is there files I can download or a CD I can order?
Mac OS 8.x to 10.3. I recommend 10.3. this will give you more of the Mac OS experience. you need 128 meg of memory.
Make certain you can return the memory
Mac OS X is a rather finicky when it comes to working with memory. While some memory sticks manufacturers may claim it meets the Mac OS X requirements, the memory may not work. You cannot tell until you try. From what I've have heard the memory fails immediately.
Open Firmware, boot into Open Firmware.
Power on your iMac while holding down commandoption+of
The first output line contains the firmware level. Mine reads:
Apple PowerMac4,1 4.1.9f1 BootRom built on 09/14/01 at 13.18.04
Copyright 1994-2001 Apple Computer Inc.
What firmware do you need?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
I believe with a tray loading iMac G3, you can use any level of the firmware. If you decide to load the firmware you will need a version of 8.x Mac OS.
Further, how would I load the OS once I get it? Would it load off the disk automatically or is there a series of keys I'd have to press to start it loading?
Hold down the c key then power on the machine.
The tray loading iMac requires the boot partition to be within 8gig. Since there are hidden partition before the first visible partition, people recommend that you make the first visible partition 7.5 gig to 7.9gig. The machines support upto a 128gig Parallel ATA drive.
Did you set the harddrive to master? Master is a must. Cable select doesn't work. You need to set the hard drive to master mode. There is usually a label on the hard drive that tells you what jumpers you need to set. If you are not sure, give us the name and model number of the hard drive and usually someone will be able to tell you how to set that drive.
Robert

Bootable disk for iMac

Hi
I've used MSFT computers for years and finally bought an iMac. It has the Lion OS already loaded on it, but it didn't come with a disk one can use (if need be) to reload the OS. I hope the solution is not for one to buy a copy from the Apple store?
Thank you for any replies.

Glad to help!
The "solved" vs "help" isn't exactly intutive and most people get it wrong.
If you are the author of the Original Post (a/k/a OP) you can mark an answer as Correct or Helpful.
The OP will see buttons at the bottom of each reply (including your own) like these:
Click the proper one to assign the appropriate points. You can mark your own reply as either one, but no points accrue to yourself.
Only one answer can be marked "correct" and only two answers can be marked "helpful".

Best External Scratch Disk for iMac?

I'm a new Mac user and i'm now using my iMac as my primary computer. I've been looking online to find out which approach is best when using adobe products that require scratch disks. Should i use external USB or Firewire interface? What I've done for my windows system in the past is I purchased a 10,000rpm hard drive and dedicated it as a scratch disk and installed it internally. If I do this with either USB or firewire, my big plan is I would go and get a 10krpm hard drive and by an enclosure with usb and firewire. Anyone know how I should approach this on an iMac and will my plan work?
Thanks!

You could go with an external Firewire 800 disk and a 7200 or faster drive. But that won’t be as fast as your iMac’s internal drive which is SATA II 3Gbps. You could partition the internal drive so that you have one ‘work’ drive to be used for video/graphics scratch files. At least I did that. Bit of work ahead of you though since your internal drive currently is likely just one big partition. Post back your conclusions.

Driver upgrades possible for iMac

I am fairly new to Mac and recently purchased a new iMac. I have a question regarding the display driver. Is there a way of upgrading the display driver for MacOS, NOT Bootcamp? I did a search and I see drivers on the Apple site, but the file dates back to 2005. The display on my iMac is the ATI Radeon HD 4670.
Thanks.

Hi ZS
Go up on the menu bar to Apple > Software Update and check, but to be honest the latest iMac should be fully up to date except for maybe the most recent Safari 5.0.1 release.
Dennis

Any internal hard drive upgrades available for iMac?

I have a 19 Gigabyte hard drive in my Imac running OS 10.4.11 and would like more storage. Is there a larger internal hard drive available from Apple or anyone else and at what approximate cost?

Your iMac uses the same 3.5" IDE/EIDE, Parallel ATA (PATA) - not Serial ATA (SATA), hard drives that are used in PCs. The onboard IDE controller will not recognize a capacity larger than 128 GBs, so any standard drive that's larger than that (160 GBs ->) will have unused capacity. A 120 GB drive was the optimal drive to install, but many manufacturers have discontinued that size. You should be able to find a 160 GB drive at any electronics, office supply, or computer store in your area, or you can check online retailers (like newegg.com) for a comparable drive. As an example, Micro Center is selling the Western Digital 160 GB (PATA) drive for $55. Seagate's drives are also a good choice, because of their 5-year warranty. After installing the drive, you should boot the iMac from the Tiger installer disk and use Disk Utility to format the new drive as a Mac OS Extended (Journaled) volume. You can also partition the drive into multiple volumes, if desired. This Macworld article will provide useful directions for opening up the iMac's lower housing and replacing the hard drive. As an alternative to replacing the internal hard drive, you could connect a FireWire external hard drive. The FireWire-connected drive wouldn't be subject to the 128 GB limitation, so you'd be able to use a mega-sized drive.

Upgrade Disk for Elements 13?

I am running Elements 6 on Windows 7 and want to upgrade to Elements 13 via a disk as I do not want to download. If I buy an Elements 13 disk will that look for a previous version and upgrade it?

Thank you very much, John. I just like to have the disc in my
possession instead of doing a download. That's probably silly but I feel
more secure that way.
Aloha,
-Jack

Where can i purchase original restore and install disk for imac early 2009

purchased a used IMac Early 2009 wanted ot replace the hard drive and need to acquire restore and install disk, where can I purchase

Call 1-800-676-2775. Give them the serial number and pay (I think) $16 per disk to get replacement gray disks.

Is there anyone/ anywhere that upgrades hardware For iMac's (late 2012)?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

No.
And FYi, if you go DIY rogue, Apple will no longer service your iMac... with or without extended AppleCare.
There are no user serviceable parts inside iMacs and the newer models are sealed up, glued up appliance-like computers, now.
If you are not happy with the iMac configuration you have, now, then sell this iMac and use the proceeds toward purchasing another new iMac that you can specify and purchase better options for that will suit your needs.

Upgrade path for iMac 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo from OSX 10.5.8 to mountain lion

Hi,
I have an Apple iMac 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo with 4 Gbytes of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
It is currently running MAC OSX 10.5.8 --
I would like to know the proper upgrade path to the most current version of OSX which is
compatible with this hardware.
Thanks!

The starting point is to call Apple at 1-800-MY-APPLE and ask to purchase a copy of Mac OS 10.6 "Snow Leopard." It will cost about US$20 plus shipping. When you receive it, install it and use Software update to get to OS10.6.8; the updates are free to that point.
Now you will have the App Store app in your Dock. You can use that to purchase Mac OS 10.8 "Mountain Lion," the lastest. According to the MacTracker database, your iMac--which is either a Mid-2007 or Early 2008--can support 10.8.
CAVEATS:
• your iMac is at or near the minimum level to suport 10.8; performance may not be stellar
• if you currently run any old PowerPC apps (like Office 2004), they will still work unders 10.6 but no higher. You will have to upgrade to newer versions to continue using them. Office 2008 runs on either PPC or the newer Intel Macs. Office 2011 runs only on Intel Macs.

How to upgrade ram for iMAC 21.5" i5 mid 2011

I recently purchased a 2-4 8GB ram kit for my iMac. Unfortunately, I ordered the wrong kit, one for a mid 2012, rather than one for my mid-2011.
I'd like to get some advice before I buy another kit.
My mid-2011 iMAC came with 4GB (2x2). That is nearly full now (~3.8 GB). I had thought an 8GB update (a 2x4 kit) would cover my needs. Unfortunately, I ordered and received the kit intended for a mid 2012. Okay, chalk it up to excerience. Experience also tells me to ask for help--HELP!

It also answered my first question.
Now that I'm feeling a bit more confident, I'll ask one more:
Maybe instead of adding two 4G sticks, I'd like to considder replacing the existing 4G (2 2x2s) with four 4G sticks. Is there a limit to how much ram the rest of the computer can support?
Thanks again for the prior reply, And thanks to OWC for the clear and simple video!

Upgrade disk for iMac 5,2 ?

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