Steven
———-
Dr. Steven B. Combs
:: Give Us One Minute (GUOM)
:: http://www.giveusoneminute.com
:: giveusoneminute@gmail.com

I stumbled across this thread looking for solutions for some of my own issues. I read your posts, and I think I can help.

First of all, what Mac OS X is on your computer? From what it looks like, it appears that you have a version of Mac OS that is something like Mac OS X 10.4.xx, where the Xs signify what update of 10.4 you are running. If your computer came with OS X 10.4, that means you can upgrade to ANY update within 10.4, meaning you can update to 10.4.1, 10.4.2, 10.4.3….10.4.8…10.4.11 all COMPLETELY FREE. Now, since the iTunes thing said you had to update to 10.4.8, it is likely that you had something between 10.4.1 and 10.4.7, which means you can update for FREE to 10.4.8, like I previously mentioned. To do this, what you will need to do (and you should do this very often!!) is go to the apple button on the top left of the screen, click, and then hit software update. This will then search all of your programs, including all other applications, for FREE updates to your pre-existing software. It is April 28, 2008 right now, and to my knowledge, there are updates all the way to 10.4.11 available, so it is likely that you will have to update A LOT. so, I recommend updating EVERYTHING and then doing your ipod stuff.

To clear up more confusion, please keep the following straight. All OS X 10.4.xx is considered “OS X Tiger.” So you can update all through OS X Tiger for free. However, the new operating system is Leopard, which is 10.5, not 10.4. Since this is a completely new operating system and NOT an update, you have to pay $100 to upgrade it to the new OS. That is why the person said you had to pay 100 dollars to upgrade because you probably asked for an upgrade to Leopard and not to 10.4.8. So, keep in mind, you can update your pre-existing OS X 10.4.xx TIGER for free by going to software update after clicking on the apple button. But if you want to upGRADE (not upDATE) to Leopard, you have to pay because you would then be installing a completely new operating system, not updating your existing one.

But, keep in mind that your iTunes thing in order to support the iPod is NOT asking you to upgrade!!! It is only asking you to update, which means all you have to do is go to software update under the apple key and upgrade everything for FREE. After doing that, everything should work just fine.

Do all of this, and if it doesn’t work, then leave another post and I’ll help you out more personally. Macs ARE plug and go; they are VERY VERY efficient and easy to use and have few problems. Your problems are not arising because of Macs, but they are arising because you are not familiar enough with them to know exactly what you’re doing quite yet. Let me know.

Brian

thanks for the response to my IPOD issue with th eMac. You wrote, “I am confused. Why is upgrading to OS 10.4.8 and issue for you. It’s a free upgrade and works well with an eMac. I had version 10.4.9 installed on my eMac before upgrading it to Leopard.”

I do not know where to go for this upgrade. When I called Apple to complain, they wanted me to purchase an upgrade for approx $100.00. If you have time could you send me a link for the free upgrade to Leopard?

Thank you,
Andre

Thanks for the comments. I should first say that I toyed with the idea of not posting your comments due to its tone. We would like to keep our site extremely family friendly with a very upbeat tone. We don’t want “Haters” posts. So while we are happy to post comments that criticize products and posts, we would like folks to do so in a very respectful, family friendly manner. On the other hand, you made some good points that I thought I would address.

I am confused. Why is upgrading to OS 10.4.8 and issue for you. It’s a free upgrade and works well with an eMac. I had version 10.4.9 installed on my eMac before upgrading it to Leopard. Software Update should take care of that process for you and have your new shiny iPod Classic up and running in no time. I think you will be sadly disappointed with other MP3 players. Especially if you are trying to use them on your eMac. I have tried other MP3 players other than iPods and have never enjoyed using them. Some of our readers may have other suggestions and I would also recommend that you visit Amazon and read user ratings very closely before choosing a different brand. Especially look at comments related to the use of the device on a Mac. Most are Windows-based (including their DRM) and you may not be able to purchase songs using your Mac. However, if you just want to rip your current CD collection, they may work fine.

As for the Leopard upgrade. I do agree that Apple should not have limited Leopard upgrades to newer machines only. It doesn’t make sense at this time (especially since you CAN install in it on older machines – just have to run through a few hoops as I described). On the other hand though, OS 10.4 is still a great operating system with another year or two of life left. My wife will not upgrade her MacBook anytime soon because she feels she has all the features she needs.

Again, thanks for the feedback and thanks for giving us a minute.
———-
Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.
:: Give Us One Minute (GUOM)
:: http://www.giveusoneminute.com
:: giveusoneminute@gmail.com

I just bought my wife an IPOD Classic for Christmas and tried to set it up for her. Of course when I plugged in the USB cable and opened up ITUNES the message said that I needed to upgrade to OS 10.4.8 Tiger. Makes me sick that Apple can’t supply drivers to work on my “old” machine that cost me top dollar just a few years ago. Now I am expected to go out and buy Leopard or Tiger at approx $120 just to play the damb IPOD that already cost me close to $300?!

These Apple devises are supposed to be plug and go, just as the commercials depict - It’s all a load of BS!!!

I think I am just going to take the thing back and get a generic MP3 player that is cheaper. Any one have any Mac MP3 player recommendations?

Thanks for all your posts.

ANH