Stupid question. Please help

[mrgorth]

I am running OSX like 10.1 or something. I have a cable connection so I'm always getting updates of some sort. Now I can't play quicktime files. When I go to dl QT it tells me I need OSX 10.3.9 or later. When I follow that link it SEEMS that I can just download this upgrade. Is this the case? It's 51.3mb. Can I just delete the installer after it's installed? Help!

[Richard Steele]

1. Are you CERTAIN you are using 10.1?

If you are "always getting updates" then your OS
shouldn't be 10.1 anymore.

Another question: can you no longer play ANY QuickTime files?
Or is it just some? Do files that you played before still work?

[reprobate]

2. Check for the OS version you're running by clicking on the Apple icon in

the upper left corner, at the left of the bar, then click on "About this Mac". It will show you "OS X" and under that the version installed. I think that some of the later version updates are only for 10.4. You may have to drop back to an earlier version of QT. But I'm not certain about that.

[mrgorth]

3. OK

I'm at 10.2.8. It's not all QT files just the new ones that are coming out. Do I have to order new OS discs?

[Wrinkle_In_Time]

4. Are you trying to play .MP4 movies?

Please highlight one of the movie files that you are trying to play (if you downloaded it) and press command-I (Get Info). Check the file type/extension to see if it is .MP4, .MOV or some other file type. Let us know what you find.

Here's why I am asking... Since you are running OS X 10.2.8, the latest version of QuickTime that you can run is QT 6.5.3, which had limited .MP4 support. QT 7+ has better .MP4 support, but can only be run on OS X 10.3.9 or 10.4.+ You can learn more about the various QT versions here (Wikipedia).

The other problem you might have is that the files were produced using a video codec that you don't have. But let's not get into that just yet as it's a big topic.

[Richard Steele]

5. Yeah, it kinda looks that way.

I'm at 10.2.8 myself, and have also recently started seeing
these 'new' QuickTime files that my machine can't handle.

And the new QuickTime 7 that plays them
needs OS 10.3.9 to work, so you are gonna have to buy
the new OS to get the new QuickTime.

[mrgorth]

6. That's what I figured

Is that just an upgrade that will leave my stuff alone?

[Wrinkle_In_Time]

7. Apple implies that the upgrade is easy...

http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/

It will cost you US$129 for the OS (US$9.95 more if you need CD media instead of DVD media). I've never leapfrogged from 10.2 to 10.4 but it looks straightforward. However, as with any OS upgrade, back up your critical data and applications before doing so. Good luck!

[mrgorth]

9. Back up the porn.

Got it. ;)

[GoneOffShore]

8. And run permissions repair FIRST

When you get the new disc, start up from it but don't go straight to the installer. Launch Disk Utility first, repair permissions, restart from the installer disk and then do your installation or upgrade.

If you use Mac Mail be sure to have a backup of your mailboxes. We lost some email when we moved over to Tiger.

Also, it might be an idea to go to the Mac downloads page for Automator - Which comes with Tiger - and grab a free download of Maintenance 3.4. It's a workflow for all those pesky maintenance tasks that we all never take the time to do in Terminal.