Computer help

[PeterOz]

Unless you have a need for Mac OS you are not going to get much use out of it.
It all depends on if you need OS or not. Is there anything you do that can only be done on a mac.
I am pretty sure that the last OS for you is High Sierra.
You will then need to start looking at 3rd party stuff as things like safari are not updated so web pages won’t load properly.

Is it true that with an old system like mine it might run more efficiently, or as good as it can be, with ubuntu over the MacOS?

It should run Ubuntu ok. Have you tried it from the usb?
The mac came with only 4gig of ram, have you added more?
You could also run Windows on it.

As mentioned before unless you need OS then you may as well just run Ubuntu or Windows.
I personally would not dual boot unless OS is needed.
Having said that there is no downfall to dual booting, but why do it if not needed.
Clear as mud?

[mx_599]

Unless you have a need for Mac OS you are not going to get much use out of it.
It all depends on if you need OS or not. Is there anything you do that can only be done on a mac.
I am pretty sure that the last OS for you is High Sierra.
You will then need to start looking at 3rd party stuff as things like safari are not updated so web pages won’t load properly.

It should run Ubuntu ok. Have you tried it from the usb?
The mac came with only 4gig of ram, have you added more?
You could also run Windows on it.

As mentioned before unless you need OS then you may as well just run Ubuntu or Windows.
I personally would not dual boot unless OS is needed.
Having said that there is no downfall to dual booting, but why do it if not needed.
Clear as mud?

I guess I was thinking just keep MacOs partly for nostalgia I suppose

It has always been my dream sort of to try to upgrade this Mac just to see if I can. I think mainly all I can do is the Ram? I am not sure there is much else? I still like this computer a lot. I think with a fresh start and more Ram I could still get lots of use on it.

I don’t want to make them mad here. I guess they like to close threads? correct? Would you care if I just PM you as I have questions? I know I am going a bit slow as molasses here, but just to let you know, i had to take care of some job stuff this week and very specifically used files you helped me to recover!!! I really really appreciate. As I was sending files I was thinking about this forum in the back of my head!!! lol

[PeterOz]

Would you care if I just PM you as I have questions

Not allowed

I don’t want to make them mad here. I guess they like to close threads? correct

You won’t make anyone mad.
If we know you are coming back just ask and we will mark it pending.
Normally if there is no answer in 3-5 days we assume that the op has abandon the thread. It happens a lot.

I think mainly all I can do is the Ram?

You can upgrade the ram - super easy. I did have one with 20GB ram.
You can also update the hard drive to an SSD. Kind of easy.
I know of a video that shows how to do it BUT you have to really take your time and be really careful of the cables.
If you are happy with the normal boot time and how it runs then no need to go to SSD.

i had to take care of some job stuff this week

So do we all. We do understand.
Since you seem to have all your files do you want to try and get the Mac OS running?
If Safari gives problems with web pages you can always load Firefox as a browser.

[PeterOz]

If you want to go ahead with mac os let me know and we will check the hdd first and then try and get you going on High Sierra

[mx_599]

If you want to go ahead with mac os let me know and we will check the hdd first and then try and get you going on High Sierra

Yes, I think I would like to get MacOS working again. I forget if High Sierra was the last I had? If that was the last most up to date one before support ended than I think I do have it.
I am thinking just RAM I looked up the max once, I thought it was about 8 or 12? Or 2 x 16? you would know more obviously

I am okay with boot times and a mechanical HD I think. What is the service life like on the mechanical HD? far beyond 10 years?

I always had Firefox, never really tried Safari.

I will try to find Ram and post link to see if correct one

[mx_599]

I think there are 4 slots? But I feel like I am getting mixed messages on what I can get? I think 2 slots are filled with 4 in ea? Does this mean I buy 2 more 4’s so I have a total of 16? Or do I get 4 x 8’s and replace all for 32 total? I thought I looked into this yrs ago and I don’t think it was capable of 32?

I found this, disregard above. This looks familiar to me:
Memory
4GB (two 2GB) of 1333MHz DDR3 memory Configurable to 16GB, only at the Apple Online Store.

From the first page of this thread, the serial number is A1312
I am confused with what came with it and what is max I can put in at this point!

I just found this:
Key points about A1312 Mac RAM:
[ul]
[li]Number of slots: 4 [/li][li]Maximum memory: 32GB [/li][/ul]
so it does look like 4 x 8’s? does it have to be 1333 mhz or is 1600 mhz okay too?

[PeterOz]

[COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 102)][COLOR=rgb(204, 204, 204)]Maximum RAM:
By default, 4 GB of RAM is installed as two 2 GB SO-DIMM modules. Two slots free.

*Officially, this model supports four 4 GB modules – one in each slot for a maximum of 16 GB of memory. However, third-parties have discovered that it actually will support 32 GB of memory using four 8 GB modules.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor [COLOR=rgb(84, 172, 210)]Other World Computing sells memory – as well as other upgrades – for[COLOR=rgb(84, 172, 210)] this iMac.
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/i...olt-specs.html[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 102)][COLOR=rgb(204, 204, 204)][COLOR=rgb(84, 172, 210)][COLOR=rgb(84, 172, 210)][/color][/color][/color][/color]

[PeterOz]

Unless you are using photoshop or other intense programs 16GB should be enough.

https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac-27-inch-mid-2011-2.7-ghz/memory

You could try 2 x 8GB ram with the current 4GB giving you 20GB.
If it does not boot with the 20GB remove the 4GB and test.
Adding ram is simple.
I would not lay it on carpet
Insert ram

I suggest we check your disk first to make sure it is still good.

Remove the linux usb stick and start the mac holding

Command (⌘) and R.

Then follow this guide to check the disk.

How to repair a Mac storage device with Disk Utility – Apple Support (AU)

If you get an ok about the drive.

Make sure you’re connected to the internet.

In the Recovery app, click Reinstall macOS , then click Continue.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Important: When you’re asked to select a disk, select your current macOS disk (in most cases, it’s the only one available).

[PeterOz]

1333 mhz or is 1600 mhz okay too?

You match to the speed you have already installed

[mx_599]

Unless you are using photoshop or other intense programs 16GB should be enough.

https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac-27-inch-mid-2011-2.7-ghz/memory

You could try 2 x 8GB ram with the current 4GB giving you 20GB.
If it does not boot with the 20GB remove the 4GB and test.
Adding ram is simple.
I would not lay it on carpet
Insert ram

I suggest we check your disk first to make sure it is still good.

Remove the linux usb stick and start the mac holding

Command (⌘) and R.

Then follow this guide to check the disk.

How to repair a Mac storage device with Disk Utility – Apple Support (AU)

If you get an ok about the drive.

Make sure you’re connected to the internet.

In the Recovery app, click Reinstall macOS , then click Continue.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Important: When you’re asked to select a disk, select your current macOS disk (in most cases, it’s the only one available).

I am kind of a hardcore internet surfer. Sometimes i have lots of tabs open and I don’[t like to close them!

I always thought you could sort of never have too much RAM? or that over abundance helps for less bottle necking

Shoot, Now I see a 1066 RAM. Then 1333 or the 1600. I will need to try to double check that before any ordering. It looked pretty easy to change RAM. I thought you had to like heat the glass edges and guitar pick it off or something major

anyway, I will do what you said about checking computer. I won’t order RAM yet. I might not do it until weekend. It looked complicated.

[PeterOz]

I might not do it until weekend. It looked complicated.

What looked complicated?

I will need to try to double check that before any ordering

Once we get it going we will match the current ram.

I always thought you could sort of never have too much RAM? or that over abundance helps for less bottle necking

NO
Ram is limited by what the CPU can handle.
Big mistake people make is buying too much ram or ram that is too fast.

One Mac I had ran with 20GB or ram I removed it all and put it into another Mac - No boot.
Took it back to (I think) 16GB Boots with no problem

[mx_599]

What looked complicated?

Once we get it going we will match the current ram.

NO
Ram is limited by what the CPU can handle.
Big mistake people make is buying too much ram or ram that is too fast.

One Mac I had ran with 20GB or ram I removed it all and put it into another Mac - No boot.
Took it back to (I think) 16GB Boots with no problem

I get intimidated by computers. I couldn’t get it into bios and stuff before I found this forum and since you have been helping. But I will try to do the prompts on link you sent in the next couple days

[PeterOz]

You do not have to include my reply every time.
If you need you can just highlight the part needed.

I couldn’t get it into bios

Mac do not have BIOS - as you have now learned.

I get intimidated by computers.

Hopefully I will be around.
Remember
If in doubt do nothing.

[Bruce]

@mx_599 - any progress?

[mx_599]

@mx_599 - any progress?

Oh yes! I got all my files off the Mac safely.

We are hoping to trouble shoot now and get updated RAM