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User profile for user: great_wren
great_wren Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Is there any way to install Snow Lepoard on my old imac (currently running 10.5.8)?

I would like to upgrade my old imac (running LEPOARD 10.5.8) TO Snow Leopard so I can further upgrade to El Capitan. There's no other way to upgrade than to first install Snow Leopard (10.6). BUT, apple no longer sells Snow Leopard. Is my old imac now just a very expensive paperweight, or is there a way to get Snow Leopard??? Thanks!

Posted on Aug 24, 2020 3:44 PM

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User profile for user: a brody
a brody
User level: Level 10
84,055 points

Posted on Aug 25, 2020 8:39 AM

This tip explains what's needed.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2455


When getting Snow Leopard:

  1. Make sure the Mac is at least a CoreDuo or CoreSolo Intel. The G5 will not take it.
  2. Core2Duo iMacs can take 10.7 after installing 10.6.6 combo update on top of the 10.6.3 retail which can you can obtain from some sources on eBay and Amazon. Make sure they are ranked well.
  3. Mid-2007 and later iMacs can go up to 10.11 after installing 10.6.8 combo update on the aforementioned 10.6.3 retail.

Any iMac that shipped with Leopard can only be upgraded to 10.11.


If the data on the machine is not of import, you can use Target Disk Mode to clone over a relevant operating system that is compatible with the said Mac keeping in mind the license of the installed OS.

You can also use the migration assistant to import data onto a newer system installed on an external hard drive, provided there are no left over PowerPC applications.



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User profile for user: a brody
a brody
User level: Level 10
84,055 points

Aug 25, 2020 8:39 AM in response to great_wren

This tip explains what's needed.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2455


When getting Snow Leopard:

  1. Make sure the Mac is at least a CoreDuo or CoreSolo Intel. The G5 will not take it.
  2. Core2Duo iMacs can take 10.7 after installing 10.6.6 combo update on top of the 10.6.3 retail which can you can obtain from some sources on eBay and Amazon. Make sure they are ranked well.
  3. Mid-2007 and later iMacs can go up to 10.11 after installing 10.6.8 combo update on the aforementioned 10.6.3 retail.

Any iMac that shipped with Leopard can only be upgraded to 10.11.


If the data on the machine is not of import, you can use Target Disk Mode to clone over a relevant operating system that is compatible with the said Mac keeping in mind the license of the installed OS.

You can also use the migration assistant to import data onto a newer system installed on an external hard drive, provided there are no left over PowerPC applications.



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Is there any way to install Snow Lepoard on my old imac (currently running 10.5.8)?

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