First time iMac user...im lost
Hello, my names Nathan and I just bought an iMac 1ghz 768mb,80gb. The computer did not come with an OS. I have used Mac OS 10.2 and liked it so thats why I bought the iMac. When I turn it on it goes to what I think is a classic type thing, and shows a folder with the lil mac sign and a question mark. My freind let me borrow his discs to 10.4. After about an hour of trying to figure out how to get the cd drive open, I get a messege that says" Can not be installed" Is this because the discs came with an iBook? Do I need the full instlation discs? Im going to have to get some from ebay, I just need to know what Im looking for. Is there any way to get my iMac up and running quick? Ive been in x86 land for too long. All this stuff is foreign to me. Thanks.
Comments
Does this work?
Does it do this because the discs are from an iBook?
I just bought 10.3 full version new in box on ebay for 40 dollars. Problem is, that wont get here until wednesday prolly. I got 2nd air UPS shipping. Any ideas? Thank you so much, I just want my mac to work.
EDIT: Dang ... you were quick ... yes, the 10.3 disks should work in your computer.
Guess Ill just wait for panther to get here. Is there any sites that appleinsider reccomends to learn about mac osx 10.3?
ps. The reason that I got 10.3 instead of 10.4 is
A. Im Broke
B. Isnt 10.5 comming out semi soon
C. In 42 days I go back to Grand Valley, and im sure i can get it there/get educational discount, through Grand Valley .
Thanks for all the help!!!
Google: OS X Panther
If you're a University student you can use your discount at any time, not just when school is in session. It's $79 + tax, so it would probably have been a better deal than paying the $40 for Panther. 10.5 is supposed to debut in August, but it probably won't hit shelves until late Spring or early summer 2007, so you have close to another year to wait.
The classic mac logo or a folder with with a questionmark means it's trying to find a boot folder. If I remember correctly, that model of G4 was the last computer that was capable of booting into Mac OS 9. So yes, it means that the computer can't find a system folder to boot that is either OS X or OS 9.
Originally posted by CosmoNut
10.3.9 -- the last version of the 10.3.x series -- is really a good solid OS. Make sure the first thing you do after the disk install is run software update a couple times to make sure you get everything else. After each install phase, repair permissions (Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility) to make sure everything ends up smoothly.
Wouldnt it be better to just go to the website and grab the .3.9 combo update?
And by software update, you mean going into system prefrences, and click the blue icon twards the bottom, let it download some HUGE file and install correct?
Also since im using an out of date OS, will there be new software downloads every other day like windows?
What is the difference between doing software update through prefrences, and going through the web site?
Im so excited to get this thing up and running.
Thanks so much everyone!
Welcome to Macintosh
Originally posted by nascarnate326
Could you explain what "repair permissions" means?
As OS X is a UNIX-based operating system, all files on the hard drive have a set of "permissions", which let the operating system know which individual users, and groups of users, can do what (read, write etc.) with the file. With some system files, a file having the wrong permissions can cause things to go screwy. There are very few things that will cause permissions to be wrong, but it can be a good idea to make sure they are correct every so often.
To repair permissions, you launch the "disk utility" program, which can be found in /applications/utilities/. In the window that opens, is a "source list" on the left, where you select your hard drive. When this is selected, an option to repair permissions will appear on the right. If you see any messages including "we are using special permissions...", don't worry, those are normal and will appear every time you run repair permissions. Those messages do not come up in 10.4.
Originally posted by nascarnate326
And by software update, you mean going into system prefrences, and click the blue icon twards the bottom, let it download some HUGE file and install correct?
You can also access software update directly from the Apple menu. When you first install OS X 10.3, you should run software update, and don't do anything else whilst it is doing its stuff. When it is done and you have re-booted, you should run software update again.
Originally posted by nascarnate326
Also since im using an out of date OS, will there be new software downloads every other day like windows?
No. There'll be a security update every couple of months, if that. Also, free Apple software such as iTunes and QuickTime get updated every so often.
Originally posted by nascarnate326
What is the difference between doing software update through prefrences, and going through the web site?
Some people will tell you that downloading straight from the website is more reliable, but I don't find this to be true. I've never had any problems with software update.
Originally posted by nascarnate326
Im so excited to get this thing up and running.
As you should!
As for learning stuff about OS X, I recommend MacOSXHints. If you're interested in learning about the UNIX side of things, this should help.
Additional advice, and this is crucial, is don't treat it like Windows (see here. Note: some items in the guide are 10.4 only). If you're having problems doing something, don't be afraid of looking in the "help" menu.
Why do dvd movies look so blury and not full screen?
Is there a setting to get rid of the "DUNG" noise when it turns on, or is that bios stuff? Thanks
Originally posted by CosmoNut
After each install phase, repair permissions (Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility) to make sure everything ends up smoothly.
Aarrrgggh!
Do NOT do this.
FFS, why do people keep peddling this duff advice?
Originally posted by krispie
Aarrrgggh!
Do NOT do this.
FFS, why do people keep peddling this duff advice?
See this thread, page 2 (link should take you straight to page 2) from Solsun's post near the bottom onwards for a discussion about this issue.
Repairing permissions will not do any harm. The only "bad" thing that could happen is that you've wasted 30 seconds of your time.
In response to nascarnate326:
iTunes: In the message that says the Store is not accessible in your country, you should have the option of continuing in order to browse. If you do this, you should find an option to switch country. Also, you may want to check in the "date and time" preference pane of system preferences that you've got the right time zone selected.
DVDs: I've never had a problem with "blurry" DVDs. You can play DVDs in full screen by choosing "enter full screen" from the "video" menu.
The "Dung" noise is called the startup chime. If your mac is "muted" when it shuts down, the chime should not sound. Alternatively, if you plug in earphones, the chime should play through the earphones instead of the speakers. Those are the only ways that I know of to eliminate it; the sound is stored in a ROM chip and therefore you can't delete it or anything like that.
You can use this prefpane (PPC macs only) to automatically set the system volume that will apply the next startup time. The volume setting is then returned to your normal preference once the machine is fully booted.
It should only be used when there's a specific problem that you think it can address.
Even Apple have removed the advice to run it routinely. Take the hint!
Originally posted by nascarnate326
I got my Panther discs yesterday and im now on my mac! Thanks for the help everyone. Its installing updates right now, then ill do the disk paramaters thing.
I wouldn't bother.
I have a few questions, Why does iTunes music store not work, it says the country im in iTunes music store isnt avaibale. I know i put america.
I'm not sure, but did you sign up for a .Mac account with a credit card from another country? You might try trashing the preferences for iTunes. Here's how you do it:
.5) Make sure iTunes isn't running.
1) click once on your desktop picture. Anywhere. Just make sure that in the upper left-hand corner it says "Finder."
2) click "go" at the top menu. Then "Home."
3) In the window that opens up, select "library" then "preferences."
4) Find "com.apple.iTunes.plist" and drag it to the trash.
5) empty the trash.
This will reset iTunes to its default state.
Why do dvd movies look so blury and not full screen?
No idea. They look fine to me on my Macs. You could try downloading VLC and playing them in it to see if they look better. This will let you know if something's wrong.
To make them play full-screen automatically, crank up the DVD player and do the following:
1) click on the "DVD Player" menu item in the upper left-hand corner of the screen
2) Select preferences
3) Make sure that "When DVD player opens: Enter full screen mode" is selected. If you don't have this option, you can make the DVD play full screen by pressing apple/command+0 (zero).
Is there a setting to get rid of the "DUNG" noise when it turns on, or is that bios stuff?
That's the happy mac sound! Actually, you want that. If something goes wrong, it'll make a different sound.
Welcome to the cult!
1) click on the apple menu in the upper-left
2) select system preferences
3) select .Mac
4) make sure that the account information is correct
Is there a way that I can download again, the songs I already paid for?
Originally posted by nascarnate326
I updated my iPod software and it let me right into my account. Werid.
Er... What?
Originally posted by nascarnate326
Is there a way that I can download again, the songs I already paid for?
Not normally. If you phone them up and ask very nicely you might be able to get them to let you do it. It is your responsibility to back up your music.
Figured my musics gone. My backup DVD burn didnt work, should have checked before I formated my pc. O well. Thanks.