At a loss as to what to do next

[Luvkitty33]

Hello!

I've posted about some of this before and received help from some very nice people. I'm still stumped though, and so far I can't get any of my problems resolved. None of the places I go to or things that I try for help are working either.

I was used to using a Sony laptop and now was given an old iMac. I'm kind of clueless about how to use it. It's OS 9.2.2. I've been to the Apple support sites and other computer help sites, but I can't even post on them for help, and that's part of the problem.

Here are the other problems:

1. I can't seem to update to any applications or programs (not sure what the difference is or if I'm even using the correct terms) that I need to use. For example, I can't get any of the instant messaging programs to work on this computer. I've tried all the suggestions given already. I've tried older versions of Yahoo, ICQ, etc.

2. I can't watch videos or open certain things, such as YouTube. I had the same problem with trying to open a summary on Amazon.com. The message says something about Shockwave and Flashplayer. When I've tried to update these, nothing happens.

3. My computer keeps freezing and/or getting stuck in a loading mode, and I don't know how to stop it. I've tried everything I knew how to do for this problem on my Sony, but here I've had to resort to just unplugging the computer. I KNOW this is NOT good for the computer and that I'm putting myself at risk of getting electrocuted.

4. My mouse will all of a sudden only move in one direction. Actually, what I should really say is that the arrow will only move in one direction. The little ball in the mouse is moving in different directions, but then all of a sudden, despite that, the arrow will only move across the page horizontally.

5. When I've gone to the Help link at the top of the page to follow the directions for how to get more memory for things like IE, nothing matches up correctly. For example, there will be a direction and an image of how to do the first step, but I can't find that on MY computer.

6. When I go to Apple Discussion Forum and register to post a question, there is no link to do so. I read the directions about how to do it and where the icon should be, but I can't find it anywhere on my screen.

7. When I go to BleepingComputer.com, which I've used for years, I can't post either. It just keeps asking me to relogin. I emailed for help, they thought the problem might have something to do with cookies, but I don't know how to do anything like that on this type of computer.

8. I can't seem to find or download or get to work anything like Mozilla Firefox, even when looking for the version for the OS 9.2.2.

9. I'm sure there are other issues I'm having, but that's enough for now, don't you think?

I've tried calling the support number for Apple that I was given by SBC Yahoo, but it just rings and rings, no matter when I call. I found another number, but the wait time was absolutely ridiculous, and I have a feeling there will end up being a charge for the help, too, which I can't afford right now.

SOOOO, after all of that, if anyone can make sense of all of this and have any suggestions that I have not already tried, I'm open to them. One thing that doesn't make sense to me is that the friend that gave me this computer only has a couple of things saved on it, and from what I can tell, hardly any programs at all, so why is the memory so low that I keep getting error messages?

Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance if anyone can help me.

 

[KokopelliRises]

Hmmm...I'm trying to remember what it is like having 9.x.x.

1. I have a couple suggestions for this one. I did a little snooping around on the internet and I found a couple places with older versions of instant messaging systems:

MSN (for Mac): http://mac.oldapps.com/msn_messenger.php and http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downlo...ssenger2.xml&secid=35&ssid=1&flgnosysreq=True

Yahoo: http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/3845 (there's a link in small print that you click to download the classic version)

AIM: http://mac.oldapps.com/aim.php (Version 4.3)

2. No idea, but I have had weird problems with this also that for some reason just resolved themselves over time.

3. No idea. Sorry.

4. My one suggestion for this (and it isn't the greatest) is to get a wireless mouse that plugs into the USB port.

5., 6., 7. No idea. Sorry.

8. Here's a list of browsers: http://mac.oldapps.com/browsers.php. If you want to get Firefox, it will be either version 1.2.1 or 1.3.1.

9. I hope you get help with the rest of your problems from someone more tech-savvy than I am. Good luck. PM me if you need any more help, but I can't guarantee I'll have an answer, but I love looking them up.

 

[mjl2010]

Actually the problem cannot be solved. If you look in the dictionary next to MAC you'll find a picture of a boat anchor. Get a long rope and put the thing to good use.

Seriously though. I can't help much. And sorry for the prejudice towards PC's.

Good luck.

MJL

 

[Weird Harold]

4. My mouse will all of a sudden only move in one direction. Actually, what I should really say is that the arrow will only move in one direction. The little ball in the mouse is moving in different directions, but then all of a sudden, despite that, the arrow will only move across the page horizontally.

That sounds like a bad cord on the mouse -- the only fix is to replace the mouse.

I've tried calling the support number for Apple that I was given by SBC Yahoo, but it just rings and rings, no matter when I call. I found another number, but the wait time was absolutely ridiculous, and I have a feeling there will end up being a charge for the help, too, which I can't afford right now.

Look in your local yellow pages for an Apple Dealer/Service center or authorized repair shop in your area. They might be able to tell you what needs to be done -- and how much you'll have to save up to get it done.

I haven't had much need for Apple technical assistance, but the one question I did have was answered for free by the sales staff at an Apple computer store.

 

[Dribble]

problem #4
It is not the mouse...but most likely the touchpad. I dont know shit bout Macs...but for PC just disable the touchpad in the BIOS and use a mouse. This is very common in laptops as the keypad gets older.

 

[Dribble]

why not just update the OS? I would think it would run much better.

 

[KokopelliRises]

why not just update the OS? I would think it would run much better.

Because the old iMacs cannot run OSX. I have an old one and the highest will run is 9.3.4 (I think, I don't remember where the switch-off between Classic and Extended begins). It just puts too much stress on the computer. Plus, she said she was having difficulties getting updates.

Oh, I just thought of one thing you could do for the fact that it is almost full despite only having a few things on it. You can try running a copy of Disk Warrior on it, by booting the computer from the CD and running a full repair cycle (which takes quite a while, usually an hour plus).

 

[Luvkitty33]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I so appreciate the advice and guidance you've given me here, and I will try out the suggestions. Not sure if I'll be able to do it today or not, but I will post here if/when I get it all sorted out....or if more questions arise.

Thank you!!!

 

[djtansey]

You can update the OS -- just not Mac OS

I haven't logged into these forums for at least 6 months, but this post compelled me to.

You have the option to use a modern OS on your old mac. You can download Ubuntu, a distribution of Linux, and install that. It's free. You can get the CD image from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ports/releases/7.04/release/ubuntu-7.04-desktop-powerpc.iso and burn that to a CD. Then you can boot from the CD and install from there. The CD boots you into the OS before you install -- it runs from the CD. You can play around with it there and see if it suits your needs.

That link is to the latest release (well, until the new release is out in the near future...) You might want to get an older release, considering your machine is pretty slow. Consider downloading this CD image: http://ubuntu.media.mit.edu/ubuntu-releases/6.06.1/ubuntu-6.06.1-desktop-powerpc.iso and burning it to CD. It might be a little more responsive on your older machine, though it won't have the latest software. It was released in 2006.