TITLE
    Mac OS 8.6: System Requirements
Article ID:
Created:
Modified:
60200
3/31/99
4/27/00

TOPIC

    What are the system requirements for Mac OS 8.6?


DISCUSSION

    To install Mac OS 8.6, your computer must have:
    • One of the following Mac OS-based Apple computers with a PowerPC processor:
    • iMac
    • Power Macintosh G3
    • Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
    • Any Power Macintosh, PowerBook, or Workgroup Server computer with a 4-digit model number.
        • Mac OS 8.6 may not function with a Mac OS 8.6 compatible Apple Power Macintosh computer that has been upgraded with a non-Apple processor upgrade card. Please check with the card's manufacturer for compatibility information.
        • Computers upgraded with Apple's Power Macintosh 233-MHz Processor Upgrade Kit are supported.
        • The Power Macintosh Upgrade Card (supported in the Quadra 700), the Macintosh Processor Upgrade (supported in the 575), and all 680X0 processors are NOT supported with Mac OS 8.6.
    • 190 MB to 250 MB free disk space (full install of Mac OS 8.5 and Mac OS 8.6 Update), or 50 MB free disk space when only updating with Mac OS 8.6 Update.
    • at least 24 megabytes (MB) of random-access memory (RAM) installed; 32 MB is recommended

    Note : You cannot use Mac OS 8.6 if your computer has been upgraded with a PowerPC processor card but still has a 68040 (or earlier) processor that is accessed during startup.

    If your computer has less than 32 MB of built-in RAM, you must use virtual memory. (Virtual memory is turned on automatically after installation).

    If you don't know how much RAM your computer has, open the Apple menu and choose About This Computer (or About This Macintosh). Look at the number next to Built-in Memory.

    To install the recommended software, you need at least 190 MB of free space on your hard disk. To install the optional components, you need sufficient storage space on your hard disk. The exact amount of space needed varies for different computer models, hard disk sizes, and the optional software you choose to install. The Installer will display a message if you do not have enough free space to install the software you select.

    Many application programs use your hard disk to temporarily store information. For best performance, keep at least 10 percent of your disk space free. To determine the amount of free space on your hard disk after you've installed the Mac OS, select the hard disk icon on your desktop, then open the File menu and choose Get Info. Look at the number next to the word "Available."

Document Information
Product Area: Mac OS System Software
Category: Mac OS 8.6
Sub Category: General OS Topics

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