Mac experts- Possible Mac firmware issues. Upgrading OS

[gregrocks90046]

I have a second generation Intel iMac that is currently running OS 10.5. Will I be able to make the jump to 10.7 or 10.8 without any firmware issues?

Thanks for your time!

[Donziikid]

Please open system profiler and give us the model identifier number.

The easiest way to open system profiler is to press Command + Spacebar then type in "System Profiler" to launch the application. Once the application has launched, the default screen is usually "Hardware Overview." If it is not hardware overview, click "Hardware" in the left, scrolling pane. Once opened, look for Model Identifier (something similar to iMac11,1; iMac13,1; iMac12,2; etc).

Another way to open System Profiler is through your applications folder. Open the applications folder, look for the subfolder "Utilities", then click on "System Profiler." The same steps as above will apply for getting the model identifier number.

[gregrocks90046]

Thanks! I'll get that info later!

[gregrocks90046]

Here it is-
Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac8,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 1 GB

What I need this machine to do is just be compatible with iPhone 5. From what I've read so far, it will be fine with OS 10.6 and upgrading iTunes to 10.7.

[Donziikid]

An iPhone 5 only requires OS X 10.6.8 or later AND iTunes 10.7 or later to operate. Your machine is compatible with both pieces of software.

Updating to 10.6.8 via the Mac App Store is the easiest.

[gregrocks90046]

Thank you for the help and confirmation of what I read online! I wasn't quite ready to buy a new Mac yet.

[Donziikid]

No problem. Be sure to backup all of your data before you make the update!

If I may make the suggestion, though, upgrade your memory/RAM. You will see a significant increase in performance with a larger amount of memory than your current setup of 1GB.

Apple claimed that the iMac you have can only handle 4GB of RAM, but OWC, a very reputable company providing aftermarket memory, claims you can make 6GB work with a 2GB module and a 4GB module.

You can purchase memory modules from OWC here: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memor...2_Duo_PC2-6400

[gregrocks90046]

Yep, ram upgrade was on the to do list!