I recently ordered a retail version of OSX 10.1, which I'm planning to install on my iMac. The iMac is one of the older ones, slot loading, with a 350 mhz processor, and with 320mb of RAM installed. I've been running OS9.1 up to now, and had heard that the newer versions of OSX would run slowly, hence the retro purchase of an older version. Are there any issues that came to light after the release of 10.1 that I should know about before I install? rhinocrat

Make sure you have latest firmware update from apple. I installed 10.3 on my imac 400dv slotloader and it runs great with 320 mb ram. Some software won't run on 10.1, and 10.3 runs fine, so if you have 10.3 I would install it. The 400 had 8 megs of video ram, if yours has less you might have some problems. I did notice that sometimes the screen redraw on some programs is a little slow. Make sure you have LATEST FIRMWARE or you could fry your system.

You should return 10.1 and get 10.3. 10.1 was basically a Beta system and not very good.

Thanks for your responses. You'll have to forgive my ignorance; I use my computer every day but have a geek factor of around -3. What is firmware, why do I need it, where do I get it and how do I know I'm getting the correct version(s). I am considering the suggestion to go staight for 10.3 now, but 10.1 seemed like a good toe in the water for someone who has stuck with OS9 for so long. What is Beta, and why is it not very good? The DV IS a jump ahead of my iMac with a 400MHz processor as opposed to my 350MHz. Could this tip the balance do you think? More importantly am I worrying too much for Xmas Eve? Happy Christmas everybody. rhinocrat

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75130 download and install prior to installing osx, the 400 dv is just the digital video model. It is almost identical to yours, both are slot loading. You can check www.everymac.com for specifics of all macs. Is a really good site to look at. They have a pretty good forum for help as well. cheers

Thanks again, I now have OSX 10.3 ready to install. I'd like to keep running 9.1 as well for a while. Unfortunately the install/restore discs that came with my computer are for OS8.6 (long story involving a replacement hard drive). Is there any way around this other than purchasing OS 9? rhinocrat

Hi.... I have the EXACT same G3 350 Mhz iMac as you (same RAM too). You MUST run os 9.2.2 if you don't want any trouble with OS X 10.3 I agree with the previous posters, anything older than 10.3 will be EXTREMELY slow, not even worth using. I think Apple offers a discount on OS 9 if you pruchace it with OS X (fulfillment program, or something). Or you could just pick up a copy on eBay. BTW, I'm running OS 9.2.2 and OS 10.3.7 on this iMac without problems, but it still is a bit slow. You may just want to wait 'till OS X 10.4 comes out in March. -MikeG