Upgrading ROM's and Messenger ..

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T i m - 22 Feb 2005 13:11 GMT

Hi All,

Now I've got my mates iMac going again he mentioned he would like MSN
Messenger.

It looks like his OS (9.0.4) isn't up to the job and I'm not sure what
would be involved in getting it there. (I'm a fairly experienced PC
eng / trainer etc).

So, according to the Apple info it's currently .

MAC OS Z2-9.0.4
MAC OS ROM 5.5.1
64MB

He also suggested he might like to run Skype (VoIP) and that suggested
he would need OSX. Would this machine be upto 'that' (ie would it be
realistic to run X on that machine) as is (I assume we could add more
RAM easily?) and would what looks like a itlle built in mic at the top
/ speaker also work ok (or I suppose a headset would be cheap enough
to add?)

Failing all that, is there the equavalent to 'Windows update' with the
Mac OS's .. something you just click on and away it goes or do you
have to find / select the right stuff etc? I did have a nose about on
Apples support area but nothing jumped out at me with 'click here for
automatic updates' type of thing (something I assumed should be very
easy for Mac stuff?).

All the best ..

T i m

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Mathias Rongved - 22 Feb 2005 16:24 GMT

> He also suggested he might like to run Skype (VoIP) and that suggested
> he would need OSX. Would this machine be upto 'that' (ie would it be
> realistic to run X on that machine) as is (I assume we could add more
> RAM easily?) and would what looks like a itlle built in mic at the top
> / speaker also work ok (or I suppose a headset would be cheap enough
> to add?)

What kind of specs does the iMac have? If it's > 500 MHz I'd install OS
X right away, but you _will_ need more ram than 64 MB. Pop another 512
MB in it and it'll be fine.

> Failing all that, is there the equavalent to 'Windows update' with the
> Mac OS's .. something you just click on and away it goes or do you
> have to find / select the right stuff etc? I did have a nose about on
> Apples support area but nothing jumped out at me with 'click here for
> automatic updates' type of thing (something I assumed should be very
> easy for Mac stuff?).

Both Mac OS X and OS 9 have something called "Software Update". It works
better in OS X, but it should be installed on the iMac, in the Control
Panels or Control Panels (Disabled) folder.

Signature

Mathias Rongved
http://www.rongved.com

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T i m - 22 Feb 2005 19:09 GMT

>> He also suggested he might like to run Skype (VoIP) and that suggested
>> he would need OSX. Would this machine be upto 'that' (ie would it be
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>What kind of specs does the iMac have?

Thanks for your reply and I'm not sure? On the back it says M5521?
It's red if that helps? ;-)
How would we find out more detail about it (it wasn't working the last
time I was asked re spec?)

If it's > 500 MHz I'd install OS

>X right away, but you _will_ need more ram than 64 MB. Pop another 512
>MB in it and it'll be fine.

Are we talking PC133 or DDR type here (or again does it vary depending
on model etc)?

>> Failing all that, is there the equavalent to 'Windows update' with the
>> Mac OS's .. something you just click on and away it goes or do you
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>better in OS X, but it should be installed on the iMac, in the Control
>Panels or Control Panels (Disabled) folder.

As 'standard' Mathias or would we have to add it?

So, if we were to go for X do we just look for summat on eBay?

So, Skype's Web site tells us ..
Macintosh computer with G3, G4 or G5 processor
Mac OS X v10.3 (Panther) or newer
128 MB RAM

Any thing to be careful of (I don't know the 'rules' re Mac stuff ..)

All the best ..

T i m

Reply to this Message

Mathias Rongved - 22 Feb 2005 21:44 GMT

> Thanks for your reply and I'm not sure? On the back it says M5521?
> It's red if that helps? ;-)
> How would we find out more detail about it (it wasn't working the last
> time I was asked re spec?)

Have a look at http://www.apple-history.com, you're probably looking at
an iMac from 1999 or 2000, in the 350 to 500 MHz range.

> Are we talking PC133 or DDR type here (or again does it vary depending
> on model etc)?

It depends on the model, but the abovementioned URL will tell you what
sort of RAM any particular Mac uses.

> >Both Mac OS X and OS 9 have something called "Software Update". It works
> >better in OS X, but it should be installed on the iMac, in the Control
> >Panels or Control Panels (Disabled) folder.
>
> As 'standard' Mathias or would we have to add it?

If it's in the Control Panels folder you can access it after booting, if
it is in the Disabled folder you'll have to move it to the Control
Panels folder. That is, if it'll boot. Does it?

Signature

Mathias Rongved
http://www.rongved.com

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T i m - 23 Feb 2005 07:29 GMT

>> Thanks for your reply and I'm not sure? On the back it says M5521?
>> It's red if that helps? ;-)
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>Have a look at http://www.apple-history.com, you're probably looking at
>an iMac from 1999 or 2000, in the 350 to 500 MHz range.

Thanks for that .. interesting ;-)

How *do* you find exactly what model it is though (I know we can get a
rough idea from the descriptions on the link offered). Should there be
a plate on there somewhere, or can I get it from an 'info' or help
option somewhere please?

>> Are we talking PC133 or DDR type here (or again does it vary depending
>> on model etc)?
>
>It depends on the model, but the abovementioned URL will tell you what
>sort of RAM any particular Mac uses.

Ok, seems 100MHz 144 pin SO-DIMM's in various combinations depending
on the model ..>

>> >Both Mac OS X and OS 9 have something called "Software Update". It works
>> >better in OS X, but it should be installed on the iMac, in the Control
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>it is in the Disabled folder you'll have to move it to the Control
>Panels folder. That is, if it'll boot. Does it?

Yep, it boots and runs fine (now <g>) . It's pretty well is 'factory'
now so if it's there it should be in the Control Panels folder ..
(I'll get him to look).

All the best .. and thanks ..

T i m

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Mathias Rongved - 23 Feb 2005 07:38 GMT

> How *do* you find exactly what model it is though (I know we can get a
> rough idea from the descriptions on the link offered). Should there be
> a plate on there somewhere, or can I get it from an 'info' or help
> option somewhere please?

It it's running OS 8 or 9: Look for an app called Apple System Profiler
or something like that. Probably in a folder named applications or
utilities. That'll tell you how many MHz you're looking at, and all the
other tech specs.

Signature

Mathias Rongved
http://www.rongved.com

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T i m - 24 Feb 2005 20:25 GMT

>> How *do* you find exactly what model it is though (I know we can get a
>> rough idea from the descriptions on the link offered). Should there be
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>utilities. That'll tell you how many MHz you're looking at, and all the
>other tech specs.

Cool .. thanks for that .. I'll email him with with your notes or do
it myself the next time I'm up there.

All the best ..

T i m

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Martin Smith - 22 Feb 2005 21:45 GMT

>>>He also suggested he might like to run Skype (VoIP) and that suggested
>>>he would need OSX. Would this machine be upto 'that' (ie would it be
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Are we talking PC133 or DDR type here (or again does it vary depending
> on model etc)?

Since it is running 9.0.4 then pc100 or pc133 will be just fine, there
are only 2 slots, so you will need 256 in each, or at a pinch 128 in
each, but still pretty cheap these days.

Signature

Martin

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T i m - 23 Feb 2005 07:38 GMT

>> Are we talking PC133 or DDR type here (or again does it vary depending
>> on model etc)?
>
>Since it is running 9.0.4 then pc100 or pc133 will be just fine, there
>are only 2 slots, so you will need 256 in each, or at a pinch 128 in
>each, but still pretty cheap these days.

And if we take it up to X ?

Just to make sure ..are you saying that I have to occupy *both* slots
for an upgrade then Martin (like with the old 72 pin SIMMS on 64 bit
systems?).

And can we get Sys X on eBay or is it cheaper elsewhere? Is there
anything to be aware of (licencing / registration etc..) or do you
just get anything and stick it on? (I don't want to fall into a 'oh,
you shouldn't have got that version for that model type trap).. ;-(

All the best ..

T i m

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Martin Smith - 25 Feb 2005 21:12 GMT

>>> Are we talking PC133 or DDR type here (or again does it vary depending
>>> on model etc)?
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> for an upgrade then Martin (like with the old 72 pin SIMMS on 64 bit
> systems?).

you dont have to use both slots, it is not like simms, but I think
the max in those imacs is 512 and you can only get that with 2x256

> And can we get Sys X on eBay or is it cheaper elsewhere? Is there
> anything to be aware of (licencing / registration etc..) or do you
> just get anything and stick it on? (I don't want to fall into a 'oh,
> you shouldn't have got that version for that model type trap).. ;-(

For my money it is cheap enough to out go out and buy, get whatever is the
most recent, and start from there.

> All the best ..
>
> T i m

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Martin

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Mac Forum / General / Hardware / February 2005

Upgrading ROM's and Messenger ..