Snow leopard to el capitan?

[Outerline]

Apologies if this is a plainly ridiculous question as I am a novice with macs.

My dad has an iMac 5 and recently bought the newest version of ipod nano.
He isn't able to install the iPod due to needing a newer version of iTunes and isn't able to install a newer iTunes due to still using os x snow leopard 10.6.8.

Is it possible to upgrade to el capitano or has the old iMac been left way behind?
Seriously banging my head against a wall

When trying to upgrade the os Apple tells me there are no new updates.

Any help much appreciated!

 

[KALLT]

Just try downloading it from the App Store. It won’t let you do this if it detects that your Mac can’t run it.

 

[Outerline]

Just try downloading it from the App Store. It won’t let you do this if it detects that your Mac can’t run it.

Thanks kallt, I did try this first through the App Store but got a "software is up to date" message. I was just hoping I was missing something or there was another way around it.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

What is an iMac "5"? It would be easier for us to tell you what system you can run, if you can tell us the model.

 

[KALLT]

Thanks kallt, I did try this first through the App Store but got a "software is up to date" message. I was just hoping I was missing something or there was another way around it.

Not through the updater, you have to ‘buy’ El Capitan from the store. There is a huge banner on the front page of the App Store. If it doesn’t work, your dad’s Mac is not supported.

 

[Outerline]

Not through the updater, you have to ‘buy’ El Capitan from the store. There is a huge banner on the front page of the App Store. If it doesn’t work, your dad’s Mac is not supported.

Sorry through the App Store it tells me "could not complete your purchase"

 

[0007776]

Sorry through the App Store it tells me "could not complete your purchase"

What model iMac does your dad have, or at least do you remember what year he bought it? It sounds like it is too old to be supported with El Capitan, but it would be good to know what model it is so we could tell you for sure.

 

[KALLT]

Sorry through the App Store it tells me "could not complete your purchase"

That’s a bit cryptic. Could be that there is a temporary problem due to the huge number of users downloading El Capitan. When you go to > About This Mac. What does it say with respect to the model number?

 

[Outerline]

What is an iMac "5"? It would be easier for us to tell you what system you can run, if you can tell us the model.

Model identifier iMac 5,1
It'a for a 2ghz Intel core 2 duo processor and memory 1gb 667 MHz ddr2 sdrAm.

Maybe I need to have the ram upgraded

 

[Merode]

I believe "imac 5,1" would be 2006 version. If yes, then it's not supported.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

You can run up to Lion, and I would not recommend it, unless Lion can run the iTunes you need. Lion requires 2GB RAM IIRC.

 

[Outerline]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help.

So at the very least an upgrade in ram and he'd only get lion. Might be time to accept defeat and get a newer model.

 

[Mac... nificent]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help.

So at the very least an upgrade in ram and he'd only get lion. Might be time to accept defeat and get a newer model.

The machine is simply too old and can't handle the newer OS. Even if you could find a way to install it you would only end up with a machine that ran very slow with no way to fix it. If you can't afford a new Mac then look into a refurbished Mac. Just make sure it's from a reputable place. I would start with one from Apples site, they're refurbs usually look like new.