Damaged System Preference on Snow Leopard

[mikkie98]

Hi!
I was given an old MacBook Pro ... my FIRST experience with Macs!
I did not get ANY installation disk or such though

This machine is in FRENCH and I'm trying to switch it to English: Unfortunately, the System Preference for 10.6.8 installation says it is 'broken' or 'damaged'. Which means I can't go change the language!

I tried re-installing the MacOSXUpdCombo10.6.8 package, but that did not fix it.
I contacted Apple support via chat, and they said they cannot help since they "are not trained on older systems" ...

HELP!!

M

 

[keysofanxiety]

What model/year MacBook Pro is it? I'm thinking we can potentially update to a newer OS if there's no fix.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

You can upgrade to Lion via the App Store. That should definitely fix it.

 

[mikkie98]

What model/year MacBook Pro is it? I'm thinking we can potentially update to a newer OS if there's no fix.

Mac OS X Version: 10.6.8 Build 10K549
MacBook pro 3.1 A1226

You can upgrade to Lion via the App Store. That should definitely fix it.

I was able to activate the Wifi on the Mac What do I need to do in the Apple store to 'upgrade to Lion" ? How do I start that process exactly? I can open the app store, but I dunno what to do after that ... :|

THANKS guys!!
M

 

[keysofanxiety]

Mac OS X Version: 10.6.8 Build 10K549
MacBook pro 3.1 A1226


I was able to activate the Wifi on the Mac What do I need to do in the Apple store to 'upgrade to Lion" ? How do I start that process exactly? I can open the app store, but I dunno what to do after that ... :|

THANKS guys!!
M

Your Mac supports El Capitan (OS X 10.11). Click this link and it'll automatically open the App Store to download it: https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?mt=12

It's a free download, by the way.

Just a heads up: it'll probably run like a bag of bricks on your machine. Best ensure you update the RAM at a minimum. Your laptop comes with 2GB as stock, but it can support up to 6GB (1x4GB, 1x2GB module). This would be PC2-5300 DDR2 667MHz SODIMM.

I'd normally recommend swapping out the HDD for an SSD, but it's quite a pig to do on your machine.

If you want a copy of Lion, you'll need to purchase it. It can be bought here: http://www.apple.com/shop/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion#

From there they'll email you a redemption code that you can use in the App Store.

 

[mikkie98]

Your Mac supports El Capitan (OS X 10.11). Click this link and it'll automatically open the App Store to download it: https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?mt=12

It's a free download, by the way.

Just a heads up: it'll probably run like a bag of bricks on your machine. Best ensure you update the RAM at a minimum. Your laptop comes with 2GB as stock, but it can support up to 6GB (1x4GB, 1x2GB module). This would be PC2-5300 DDR2 667MHz SODIMM.

I'd normally recommend swapping out the HDD for an SSD, but it's quite a pig to do on your machine.

If you want a copy of Lion, you'll need to purchase it. It can be bought here: http://www.apple.com/shop/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion#

From there they'll email you a redemption code that you can use in the App Store.

Sir,

I followed your instructions, and I was able to update to El Capitan ANd set the Macbook to English!
I read that you need a firmware upgrade for 6 gigs (here): Is this the case? Or will a 4 gig + 2 gig work directly?

THANKS!!!
M

 

[keysofanxiety]

Sir,

I followed your instructions, and I was able to update to El Capitan ANd set the Macbook to English!
I read that you need a firmware upgrade for 6 gigs (here): Is this the case? Or will a 4 gig + 2 gig work directly?

THANKS!!!
M

The firmware update auto applies with the OS update. So you can just fit the RAM!