Upgrading to Mavericks

[grimsargh]

Have been using an older OS because of a compatibility issue with a program I needed to use. Now I can upgrade, tried to jump a few versions but couldn't because I get a message telling me I need Mavericks before I can upgrade to anything else. Problem is it isn't available at the Apple Store. Can find the 10.9.2 or 10.9.5 but not the basic download so it won't let me install either of these. My computer is a desktop 2009 currently running 10.8.5 with lots of memory. Does anyone have any suggestions. Thanks.
Kaye Horne

 

[chas_m]

Have been using an older OS because of a compatibility issue with a program I needed to use. Now I can upgrade, tried to jump a few versions but couldn't because I get a message telling me I need Mavericks before I can upgrade to anything else. Problem is it isn't available at the Apple Store. Can find the 10.9.2 or 10.9.5 but not the basic download so it won't let me install either of these. My computer is a desktop 2009 currently running 10.8.5 with lots of memory. Does anyone have any suggestions. Thanks.
Kaye Horne

Apple removes from sale older OS versions when a new one comes out. If you had “bought” Mavericks during the year it was available, it would still be in your “purchases” and you could still get it, but if not you missed that window by about four years. Sadly you may have also missed any opportunity to upgrade at all, unless your iMac is a late 2009 model (the oldest one that can upgrade to High Sierra). If it is, you will be able to upgrade to High Sierra for free through the Mac App Store. You should be able to find out by choosing “about this Mac” under the Apple menu.

 

[grimsargh]

Thank you Charles, no I did not purchase Mavericks and it is a late 2009 model iMac so I shall see if I can do the immense jump up to High Sierra.

 

[chas_m]

Thank you Charles, no I did not purchase Mavericks and it is a late 2009 model iMac so I shall see if I can do the immense jump up to High Sierra.

It will be a very big shift, as you're jumping ahead four OS versions. This is one of the reasons we strongly encourage people to 1) keep their software up-to-date and 2) keep their operating system as up-to-date as possible.

I would strongly suggest going through all your key applications and making sure they are up-to-date before upgrading to High Sierra (how very lucky that you're still eligible for that). I'd also suggest (though it is not mandatory) that you have at least 8GB of RAM on your machine as well if you don't already. Byte or some of the other local service people can do this for you if needed. You can find out how much RAM your machine has by going to "About this Mac" under the Apple Menu.

Expect the High Sierra install to take quite a while, since it will be replacing a LOT of stuff, which reminds me: please make sure you have as much free space as possible before upgrading. There will need to be a lot of "working room," but the good news is that High Sierra is greatly more efficient and you will eventually see significant savings in storage space.

One last thing: if you have an iPhoto library of photos and the update is available to you, MAKE SURE you have updated it to v9.6.1 before jumping ahead -- you'll need this to access the library later (your photos will be moved over to the new Photos app).

 

[grimsargh]

Unfortunately, Charles I am not in Victoria any more but in the wilds of North Carolina or I would have sought out local help. Thank you for all your excellent suggestions regarding what to do prior to upgrading, I knew that going to the current OS was going to be a big stretch and I wish I had done it in increments but the software wouldn't allow since it was discontinued but I needed to use it. I do have 16 GB so am good in that respect. Hadn't given iPhoto a thought but I only have a few photographs in there which contain pictures of my late husband which I really don't want to lose. I haven't used iPhoto for a number of years so now will see if I can remove them from iPhoto in order to save them, I don't want to upgrade just to do that. I continued membership with VMUG for this very reason, I have a lifeline when I really need one. Thanks again for your great suggestions. Kaye

 

[chas_m]

Unfortunately, Charles I am not in Victoria any more but in the wilds of North Carolina or I would have sought out local help.

Depending on where you are, their may be an Apple store or Mac consultant near you. If you feel you need it, you can locate your nearest one by visiting https://www.apple.com/retail/

Hadn't given iPhoto a thought but I only have a few photographs in there which contain pictures of my late husband which I really don't want to lose. I haven't used iPhoto for a number of years so now will see if I can remove them from iPhoto in order to save them, I don't want to upgrade just to do that.

There's no need. BEFORE you upgrade to High Sierra, create a folder on your desktop. Open iPhoto and simply drag the photos you want to preserve from iPhoto to the folder on your desktop (this creates a copy). Once you have upgraded, if Photos didn't automatically load in those photos from the old iPhoto library, you can drag them in from the folder.

I continued membership with VMUG for this very reason, I have a lifeline when I really need one.

Very happy to be of service!

Cheers
Chas

 

[grimsargh]

Hi Charles,
Just an update on the process to this point. I obviously outsmarted myself and had downloaded Mavericks and El Capitan which I found in my App Store Purchases, I am currently using El Capitan and my photos are now safely saved in the Photos folder. I shall wait a little while before proceeding to High Sierra, although I have downloaded it to be ready.

However, one big problem connected to the upgrading is that I am now unable to open my iTunes, I constantly get a message telling me that "iTunes is being updated" when I click on the icon, do you have any idea how I can solve that? I did get a message purporting to be from Apple saying they had locked my account and to sign in to my account, it was in my "Junk" folder so I just deleted it. Could you advise on how to solve this since I seem unable to sign in through the App Store.

I have to say this has been a real exercise for my brain and I am thankful I attended so many VMUG meetings over the many years I have been a Member before I left Victoria, it has helped a lot. Also thankful I did a check of my Trash before emptying it since it had dumped a lot of things that I had no intention of not keeping so had to spend time dragging them back where they had originally been. Didn't expect that. Thanks. Kaye

 

[chas_m]

I am currently using El Capitan and my photos are now safely saved in the Photos folder. I shall wait a little while before proceeding to High Sierra, although I have downloaded it to be ready.

Yes, that's fine. Once the 10.13.1 update comes out, re-download the installer, make a backup, and then proceed to upgrade to High Sierra.

However, one big problem connected to the upgrading is that I am now unable to open my iTunes, I constantly get a message telling me that "iTunes is being updated" when I click on the icon, do you have any idea how I can solve that?

Check the Mac App Store and see if there is an update there for iTunes (the current version is 12.7). If so, update it. If not, try deleting the app and re-downloading it from https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/. This will not delete your music library, but of course you have a backup of it already just in case.

I did get a message purporting to be from Apple saying they had locked my account and to sign in to my account, it was in my "Junk" folder so I just deleted it.

Very wise. That was almost certainly a scam email. You can check with Apple by calling if you suspect that you are genuinely locked out of your account.

 

[grimsargh]

Hi Charles, followed your suggestions i did find an update for iTunes which is now installed and the blocked iTunes is now available,
slowly I am getting back to normal after all the installations.
Now for a breather from updating but will keep an eye on the latest re High Sierra before proceeding with that update.
Many, many thanks for your help and suggestions.
Kaye