Upgrading Software question

[CyrusOz]

I have only ever owned the one Imac and never upgraded the software (only auto updates) and I was just about to pay the $20 to update my operating system from 10.5.8 to whatever the latest version is and then it dawned on me, ive never done this before ... i'm not sure if this would be different from when i upgraded my windows software many moons ago.

Is it necessary to back up every single thing on my imac? Will i lose everything?

I have had to use disk warrior from time to time to fix registry problems and I was about to use it yesterday for the same reason but then I thought, would the software upgrade address this registry problem during the upgrade or should I use diskwarrior first, and then upgrade?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
CyrusOz

 

[GGJstudios]

I have only ever owned the one Imac and never upgraded the software (only auto updates) and I was just about to pay the $20 to update my operating system from 10.5.8 to whatever the latest version is and then it dawned on me, ive never done this before ... i'm not sure if this would be different from when i upgraded my windows software many moons ago.

Is it necessary to back up every single thing on my imac? Will i lose everything?

It's always a good idea to have a current backup before doing anything major, like upgrading OS versions. Be aware that you can't upgrade directly from 10.5.8 to Mountain Lion, which is the most current version. You first have to upgrade to Snow Leopard (10.6.6) so you can access the Mac App Store. Then you will be able to buy and download ML. Call Apple to order a Snow Leopard install disc (roughly $20).

I have had to use disk warrior from time to time to fix registry problems and I was about to use it yesterday for the same reason but then I thought, would the software upgrade address this registry problem during the upgrade or should I use diskwarrior first, and then upgrade?

There is no registry in Mac OS X; only in Windows. So I'm not sure what you're referring to. However, upgrading to a new OS should give you a clean slate.

 

[CyrusOz]

It's always a good idea to have a current backup before doing anything major, like upgrading OS versions. Be aware that you can't upgrade directly from 10.5.8 to Mountain Lion, which is the most current version. You first have to upgrade to Snow Leopard (10.6.6) so you can access the Mac App Store. Then you will be able to buy and download ML. Call Apple to order a Snow Leopard install disc (roughly $20).

Thanks very much for all of that information, i very much appreciate it. Just to confirm, do i physically need the Snow Leopard disk to install snow leopard? Can't i just download a copy somewhere from the net? Sorry to ask such dumb questions but i don't want to misinterpret anything and make a mistake.

To sum it up, I purchase snow leopard which will allow me to access the mac app store where I can make a further purchase of Mountain Lion?

Thanks again mate.

 

[blevins321]

Thanks very much for all of that information, i very much appreciate it. Just to confirm, do i physically need the Snow Leopard disk to install snow leopard? Can't i just download a copy somewhere from the net? Sorry to ask such dumb questions but i don't want to misinterpret anything and make a mistake.

To sum it up, I purchase snow leopard which will allow me to access the mac app store where I can make a further purchase of Mountain Lion?

Thanks again mate.

Snow Leopard isn't available as a download from Apple unfortunately. *coughothersourcescough*. But yeah you have it right- 10.6.8 will have the App Store that will let you buy and install 10.8.2 from the net.