installing older versions, also SSD support

[pcpete]

We have a client who has a Mac which he only uses to run some software which is supported from versions of OSX 10.6 through 10.8. The hard drive has failed on it. We want to install an SSD and reinstall the OS. I have a few thoughts going through my mind

1. We have 10.6 install media, will that work on a computer with different firmware do to being upgraded to 10.8
2. If we want to install 10.7 or 10.8, can we get media to do this
3. is this a licensing issue to install older versions?
4. Do you trust the 3 party programs to eneable trim support in version 10.6
5. what about native trim support in 10.7 and 10.8?

Thanks for any guidance

 

[trevm999]

You cannot install a version of OSX older than the version that the Mac came with. That also means that you can't use a 10.6.1 disc to install on a computer that came with 10.6.4.

 

[Markverhyden]

We have a client who has a Mac which he only uses to run some software which is supported from versions of OSX 10.6 through 10.8. The hard drive has failed on it. We want to install an SSD and reinstall the OS. I have a few thoughts going through my mind

1. We have 10.6 install media, will that work on a computer with different firmware do to being upgraded to 10.8
2. If we want to install 10.7 or 10.8, can we get media to do this
3. is this a licensing issue to install older versions?
4. Do you trust the 3 party programs to eneable trim support in version 10.6
5. what about native trim support in 10.7 and 10.8?

Thanks for any guidance

1. Only if the machine came with 10.6. The nickle solution to the dime problem is a VM.
2. You have to have a Mac, and App Store account with a credit card to pay the small fee, you can buy the OS. When the installer launches just close it. There are tons of tutorials on building ISO's and USB's. Just be aware that not all distro's are built the same way.
3. Possibly but Apple has bigger fish to fry. Personally I'd not worry about it as long as we are talking about the OS only.
4. Unknown.
5. Only for Apple OEM drives. You have to use third party. Have you checked the compatibility of the existing machine with 10.10? They added native TRIM support for non-OEM drives beginning with 10.10.4.

 

[trevm999]

5. Only for Apple OEM drives. You have to use third party. Have you checked the compatibility of the existing machine with 10.10? They added native TRIM support for non-OEM drives beginning with 10.10.4.

I think you can enable trim using the terminal

 

[Markverhyden]

I think you can enable trim using the terminal

Yep. The builtin TRIM could be turned on for third party SSD's beginning with 10.10.4. I did that with my MBAir on 10.11. No GUI that I'm aware of.

 

[pcpete]

It came with 10.4 and was upgraded to 10.8.

As to compatibility, the machine will run the newest version of OSX, but his software is only supported to 10.8. As to buying older versions in the app store, I did not know that was an option.

I am leaning towards installing 10.6.8 and using a third party tool like TrimEnabler 2.2

 

[trevm999]

I did something like this in 10.7 http://www.mactrast.com/2011/07/how-to-enable-trim-support-for-all-ssds-in-os-x-lion/

It came with 10.4 and was upgraded to 10.8

Is that even possible? I thought 10.4 was powerpc only.

 

[Markverhyden]

10.4.4 was the beginning of the Intel Macs. So if they bought the last versions that came with 10.4 they would have been able to go into the post 10.6.8 world for a while.

 

[brandonkick]

I don't know much about mac machines... but either an updated version of this software
must cost a lot of money or the company who put the software out just never wrote a new
version. Seems to be going to a lot of trouble to get this old version of OSX back, especially
if he could pay a nominal fee and just update his program.

 

[pcpete]

I don't know much about mac machines... but either an updated version of this software
must cost a lot of money or the company who put the software out just never wrote a new
version. Seems to be going to a lot of trouble to get this old version of OSX back, especially
if he could pay a nominal fee and just update his program.

that is exactly it. the updated software if $700+

 

[Markverhyden]

that is exactly it. the updated software if $700+

Yep. One Audiologist's office I went to was using a system running on an old Apple running OS 6. Replacing everything would cost $10k+.

 

[pcpete]

I ended up installing 10.6.8 along with trim enabler. The computer is snappy as can be.

On a side note, I had three of the magnets connected to the bezel come loose(2007 20" imac). I ended up super gluing them back on. I have never had that happen before.

 

[HCHTech]

I had three of the magnets connected to the bezel come loose

I've had that happen a couple of times as well. I can't imagine there is much stress on them so it's either old-age failure of the adhesive or maybe they were "stressed" by a previous tech. Superglue also worked for me.