Time Sensitive Material: This document is time sensitive and
may become incorrect as new versions of the Macintosh System software
are introduced. Notably, if you are currently running a system with
higher version number than those discussed below, do not downgrade yourself
to the versions discussed here.
How can I tell what version I am running now? Click and hold
the mouse button while the pointer is positioned over the Apple icon
(top left of screen), then while holding the mouse button move the pointer
down (called dragging) to select "About this Macintosh (or "Computer...")
A dialog box (window) will appear with a description of your Macintosh
computer including system version, Macintosh model, and the amount of
memory you have. If you do not see "About this Macintosh" try quitting
open applications and try again or try it just after the computer starts
up. Call us if you still need help.
Should you upgrade? This is a really tough decision to make.
Please take some time to research what benefit the newer system has
and if there are any downsides. Feel free to call us and ask for advice.
This document will give you a description of the issues related to upgrading.
One should always be careful when upgrading because newer system versions
take more memory and disk space and sometimes require you to purchase
upgrades of your application programs. Lastly, upgrading does not always
go smoothely, only upgrade after backing up valuable files. We realize
that many users lack good backup mechanisms. In that case, backing up
critical documents that you've created to floppies may be a decent compromise.
Iomega (among other vendors) makes removable storage media of greater
capacity i.e. Zip, or Jazz. Some users prefer CD-R or recordable CD-ROM
discs, and if you are on campus, copying files to another computer on
the network becomes a viable option. Finally, Microservices has Zip,
Jazz and CD-R capability that you can use in 151 McKenzie Hall (You would
need to buy your own media and transfer your data but there is no charge
for that equipments use.)
What is the cost of upgrading? The UO maintained a site license
for all Mac OS system versions up to Mac OS 8.1. For this reason, UO
students, faculty and staff can install versions up to 8.1 free of charge
from the Computing Center's CC Public Domain file server, or by checking
out the media from the Documents Room in the Computing Center room 205.
Starting with MacOS 8.5, upgrades need to be purchased from a retailer.
The UO Bookstore carries the MacOS System Software at a reduced academic
price which is currently $65. In addition, see the "Hidden Costs" below.
Hidden costs of upgrading: The hidden costs of upgrading any
System Software include increased memory and disk space requirements.
"Low level" application programs almost always need updating when you
upgrade your System Software. These include disk repair software, antivirus
software, screen savers, and any software that requires system extensions
to run. Notably, products like After Dark, Norton's Utilities, Connectix
Speed Doubler, File Maker Pro, and Now Up to Date (to name a few) are
very sensitive to these changes. Regular application programs may or
may not require updating between system versions. These include word
processors, spreadsheets and email or web programs. Check the vendor's
website or contact them for this information.
*** Always backup any valuable data (documents) prior to upgrading
system software.
Which Apple Technologies should I avoid? Apple has officially
discontinued development of the following technologies.
Discontinued are: PowerTalk, OpenDoc, Cyberdog, Quickdraw GX.
There are only a few versions of the MacOS System that we recommend.
(6.0.8, 7.1, 7.5.1, 7.6.1, 8.1, 8.5.1, 8.6*). Apple has released
many versions of its System Software. There is no "best" version given
that users have varying models of Macintosh, disk capacity, and memory.
For this reason, we like to point folks at the recommended version based
on their situation. In addition, Apple releases quite a few very minor
version changes (usually in the hundreths place) which are later rolled
into a larger version change. Often, our recommended version skips one
or more minor versions (since it includes those updates). *Since 8.6
amounts to bug fixes and updates, we would guess that it is a safe upgrade
from 8.5 for most users. After further testing we will update this document
with a more definite recommendation. Early reports indicate compatibility
issues with "First Class" software. See Ric Ford's special
report for more compatibility information.
Jumping Several Versions: While it is possible to do so, you
must be extremely careful. This would be a case where a good backup
is absolutely critical. Make sure you have plenty of additional memory
and disk space before proceeding. Carefully read the UO and Apple readme
documents. In many cases, updating the SCSI driver on your hard disk
is required and not doing so may lead to data loss. Call us if you have
specific questions.
Notes about our memory "requirements" stated below: All software
vendors underestimate their software's requirements so that they can
capture the largest audience. For example, in the case of Apple System
Software, no one wants to just run the System Software. You would want
enough memory to run both the System Software and application programs.
For a better estimate of actual memory requirements, we try to estimate
the total amount of memory required to run both the System Software
and at least one current application (like a Web browser or word processor).
If you wish to push the limits, see Apple's stated requirements instead
of our recommended "requirements" below.
System 6.0.8 Mac Plus, SE, or any Macintosh with 4Mb of memory
or less. Plus, SE, and Classic users stay with System 6.x. If
you desire or require features of System 7, we recommend buying a newer
computer that can more reasonably run system 7. II series, and SE/30
and higher can feasibly upgrade to System 7.x, but you will need at
least 8Mb of memory and it is likely that most application programs
will need updates. If your Macintosh computer came with System 6.x (meaning
any version of system 6), then upgrading to any version of System 7.x
will make your computer run much more slowly. This is because system
7 does more than system 6 and has some features not available in system
6. System 7 has features like an online help system called "balloon
help" and more elegant ways to look at and find your files. Most importantly,
many Macintosh programs require system 7 to run including *all* remote
access dial-in packages that we support. This is not to say you cannot
dial-in with system 6, it's just that you can't run graphical programs
like Netscape or other world wide web browsers without system 7.
System 7.1
Any Macintosh model with only 8Mb of memory. Note that System
7.0 and 7.0.1 have basically the same disk and memory requirements.
Since 7.1 includes updates, this is the version (of those three) that
we recommend. Comments: If your Macintosh came with system 6, you may
be forced to upgrade some of your software applications or add additional
memory and your system will definitely run more slowly. Even so, System
7 introduces really nice features worth having including the ability
to run software applications which require System 7 as a minimum. II
series, SE/30, Classic II's, or any 68030 Macintosh should probably
stop here. If you require or desire features of 7.5 or higher, buying
a new Macintosh model will serve you better.
System 7.5.1: Any Macintosh model that has 16Mb of memory
or more. 7.5.1 is a very nice and stable version of MacOS. All Centris,
Quadra, 68040, or first generation PowerMacs (7100, 8100, 9100) may
wish to stop here. The Following are some key features of
System 7.5:
- APPLE GUIDE, an intelligent assistance system that makes it easy to
learn and use every new System 7.5 feature
- APPLESCRIPT, a software component that allows users to automate routine
tasks. Some pre-programmed scripts are included with System 7.5
- MACINTOSH PC EXCHANGE AND MACINTOSH EASY OPEN allow Macintosh users
to open, save, edit, and print DOS, Windows, OS/2 and ProDOS data files
- MacTCP provides built-in support for TCP/IP networking (TCP/IP software
still required)
- NEW UTILITIES that extend PowerBook battery life and synchronization
between systems
** Avoid POWERTALK and QUICKDRAW GX because these technologies
have been abandoned by Apple.
System 7.5.2: 7.5.2 as shipped on powerbook models is equivelent
to 7.5.1 explained above. 7.5.2 shipped with desktop Macintosh units
was a totally different and severely flawed version of MacOS. These
desktop users (7500, 8500, 9500) should definitely update to at least
7.6.1.
System 7.6.1: Any Macintosh model that has 16Mb of memory or
more. If with any version of System 7.5.3 or higher,
you should update to at least 7.6.1 (or higher) because for you, this
system amounts to bug fixes. If you are considering an upgrade to 7.6.1
from 7.5.1 or earlier then moving to 7.6.1 will definitely impact performance
in a very noticible way, yet there may not be any features in the new
OS that you require. The exceptions being those connected to Ethernet
networks can take advantage of the higher transfer speeds of OpenTransport
built in to 7.6.1 and higher. Memory requirements for System 7.5.1 can
be as low as 2Mb, where 7.6.1 is going to require around triple that.
Comments: If you decide to upgrade to System 7.6 from any MacOS
version prior to System 7.5.2 be absolutely certain that you update
the SCSI drivers on your hard drive. You will be given an option to
do this when you run the System software installer.
NOTES: Powertalk is not compatible with 7.6. OpenDOC and Cyberdog
will not work on 68030 or 68040 based modes. If you do not know what
these things are then this warning does not effect you.
MacOS 8.1: Any Macintosh with 24Mb of memory or more. Mac
OS 8 includes a PowerPC native finder with multitasking ability. MacOS
8 users can perform multiple operations at the same time. For example,
if your Macintosh is busy copying files, you normally cannot open or
work in other programs until the operation is complete. When using Mac
OS 8, one can accomplish multiple tasks including finder operations
simultaneously. Many other enhancements have been added that effect
the look and feel. This is the last version of Mac OS that UO users
can have for free. This is also the last version of System Software
if you lack a PowerPC processor. If you meet the requirements and don't
mind paying, consider 8.5.1 or 8.6 instead.
MacOS 8.5.1: Any *PowerPC* Macintosh with 32Mb of memory or more.
New features from 8.1 include: Easy setup, Native Applescript (faster
performance for many operations), New find-file with Internet search
capability "Sherlock," faster network especially for modern Macintosh
and 100Mb network connections. Many look and feel interface enhancements.
Microservices considers 8.5 to be a realitively minor change overall
from 8.1. 8.5 and higher include a free version of ARA
3 dial-in software for Internet access. If you have a new Macintosh,
especially any G3, updating is a good idea. We anticipate recommending
8.6 instead, but lack sufficient experience with the new OS at this
time. Note: As of July 1, 1998, the UO Mac OS licensing agreement with
Apple covers only those machines that certain UO departments have paid
to license. For departments or individuals not covered under that agreement,
educational pricing is available through the UO Bookstore for MacOS
8.5 and up.
MacOS 8.6: Any *PowerPC* Macintosh with 32Mb of memory or more.
We haven't had time to adequately test yet. Since it's a maintenance
upgrade it should be bug fixes which are good. This is to say users
already running 8.5 will likely benefit from this release. We especially
expect G3 users to take advantage of this release. The minor system
upgrades that directly follow a hardware release (G3) often include
necessary bug fixes.
New features in 8.6:
- Expanded Sherlock (find) capabilities.
i.e. File types for PDF and HTML are now supported.
- Improved Media Integration
- MRJ (Java) updated, support for DVD-RAM drives.
- Greater Device Access - USB and FireWire updates for new G3's and
iMacs.
- Improved Printing and Font Management
- Desktop Printer Utility allows LPR TCP/IP printing.
- Various bug fixes and intergration of several updates into a single
package.
We've heard of some compatibility issues with this release including
the "First Class" software by Soft Arc. In addition, please
see Ric Ford's special
report for compatibility information.
===============
Pushing the limits:
===============
Some users of the first generation PowerMacintosh (6100, 7100, 8100
etc.) like OS 8.5.1 or (OS 8.6). These users tend to have more than
the average amount of memory and disk and possibly have a hardware accelerator.
Suffices to say that you may be able to run a system version beyond
our recommendation. Our experience has been that running too new a system
on too old a Macintosh may make your system run too slowly. Since "too
slowly" is a matter of opinion, we leave that to you to decide.
8.5/8.6 (current OS release) requires that you have a PowerMacintosh.
Apple model numbers with at least 4 digits are Power Macintosh.
Additional References:
The MacFixIt and Macintouch pages have lots of troubleshooting tips,
and current Apple events information including lists of programs needing
to be updated in order to run MacOS 8.5/8.6.
MacOS Up to Date Program:
http://www.apple.com/macos/up-to-date/
Apple:
http://www.apple.com
MacFixIt:
http://www.macfixit.com
Macintouch:
http://www.macintouch.com
For additional help or information, contact:
MICROCOMPUTER SUPPORT CENTER
202 Computing Center, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, (541) 346-4412
or use our on-line Help form at http://micro.uoregon.edu/microemailhelp.html.
