My system is now SO unfunctional that I can barely write in this box. I MUST update past my current 10.2.8. I have googled all ways I can think of to find an OS update (which apparantly I MUST 1st have before I can update my browser(s). I finally tore out my FIREFOX 1.0.4 as I could not get past it to any newer ...ALL newer crashed. NOW I have OPERA ...Not fully functional either. IN SHORT: I NEED to update FROM OS 10.2.8 with (sigh...) NO MONEY. How/WHERE can I simply go online to find an update FROM OS 10.2.8 ...TO the next higher OS (optimally the most recent OS that my 10.2.8 system will allow me to go to)? I will try to SAVE this page so I can come back and see answers. I have tried for over 1 year. I am just STUMPED. I KNOW, by now, there must be free updates to download for this old of an OS. I see plenty of NEWER OS downloads available free -but ALL demand SYSTEM REQUIREMENT: OS 10.3.0 (or higher) to proceed. I am in DIRE NEED of getting past (ABOVE) 10.2.8. PLEASE HELP!

I have OS X 10.1, 10.4 an 10.5 install DVDs just in case I sell my Mac or need to wipe a disk. 10.2.8 is the last incremental update to OS X 10.2 Jaguar getting to 10.3 requires an install DVD. You can put a listing on craigslist requesting the use of an OS X 10.3/4 disc to upgrade/purchase. You've gotta have some money, $20-50 for an install disc. Unless you have a friend with some OS X DVDs you CAN'T do without any money. I hope this helped.

Thanks for your info! Now I get it: 10.2.8 is the end of the 10.2's and I must get an install disk(?) ...DVD... for 10.3 ... you say "10.3/4" . Hoping that means I could actually "upgrade" (install) OS 10.4 on my computer directy, providing I could get THAT disk, without having to have an "intermmediate 10.3 10.2.8. I still am unsure though: Must I find EXACTLY a 10.3.0 - or- a 10.4.0 DVD install disc? With 10.3.2, etc. being UPDATES requiring the 10.3.0 version to uograde from? If I do this (install 10.3.0 via the DVD install disk) will it completely OVERWRITE my current OS, (hopefully) -or will I then have dueling O.S. cramming my memory? Keep in mind that my 10.2.8 O.S. also came with the "classic" O.S. -so that I have OS 9 in my computer also, which opens specific prpgrams that I occasionally use (microsoft office suite -all parts including WORD, etc. open in my O.S. 9). I may LOSE that (CLASSIC O.S. and the few older programs it runs) with an overwrite caused by this new install. Guess I'll just see what becomes unopenable in 10.3 at that point, dump those applications and hunt up new versions eventually. NO great loss for those in comparison. SO grateful for the help!

A 10.3 or 10.4 install DVD will do just fine both have security updates that will appear after the software update app is launched and checks for updates at apple.com. You can do a clean install or an install in place. It's best to do a clean install to start off fresh, like a brand new Mac but if you don't have the bulk of your software discs an install in place is ok, I usually do an install in place because I've lost MANY of my software discs LOL. Moving up to 10.4 you still will retain OS 9 Classic functionality, 10.3 supports dual booting into OS 9 and OS X if memory serves me LOL. On 10.5 and beyond Classic apps will appear with a gray 'ghostbusters' symbol denoting a non-suported app. There should be hundreds upon hundreds of craigslist and ebay auctions with 10.3 and 10.4 install DVDs for cheap.

Sounds like you're having alot more issues than just an OS upgrade. PowerMac 9600(1 ghz G4) 512mb RAM 50gb SCSI ATi 9200 PCI

Yes indeed. I know that I must upgrade my OS to be at a point to proceed to next part of problem-solving on this. I have now OPERA installed -it is SLOW -showing (as you note) more problems in-system... I hope I am not in some way "infected" with one of the few viruses (snuck in through html on spams?) that can affect MAC. In any case, I know my MEMORY is extremely taxed ...I do not know really HOW to defrag / remove repetitive programs (I can DELETE -but have to FIND the repeats) / apps and other memory saving cleaning -also have NO IDEA where to find ANTI-SPYWARE for MAC (without throwing unavailable $50+ at it) -so am hoping to have a better start with an updated CLEAN O.S. Am not sure of the diff. btwn "CLEAN INSTALL" and "STAND ALONE" install of next O.S. Assuming this involves (somehow) whether ALL my many, many documents, apps, jpegs, et all ,are backed up off-system first or not. I CAN'T afford to lose all of that. But it will be MANY hours and MANY CDR's full of stuff to do all that backing up. Already LOST all of my bookmarks (over 100!) when I removed my old FIREFOX. (Dumb, I know... should have put in Opera FIRST, then transferred bookmarks). If it had been that straightforward, I would have. -I had tried to get NEW FIREFOX "fresh" -that is, with NO old Firefox left in system to then download a newer version, via my SAFARI (pre-Opera install) -but no dice, THAT one crashed also, just like every other FIREFOX install since my 1.0.4. Still -dumb move. NOW: looking to (A) install MAC OS X 10.3 or 10.4 then (B) get UPDATED FIREFOX downloaded. I am sure I've been having VAST java / java script issues causing most of my on-line fuctionality problems -due to age of my (now gone) Firefox) So: then (C) Try to determine WHAT is nedded to do to be sure I am up-to-date w/ CORRECT java / java script for the O.S. and BROWSER that I will be running., NO idea if that all just "comes in naturally" w/ the OS / Browser installs, or if I have to go online and attempt to personallydetermine/find/decipher correct java and load it in myself. YIKES! The info I am getting here is VASTLY APPRECIATED! Thanks folks!!!