Any Mac Gurus here ?

[SideShow Bob]

I have an older Mac running Yosemite [10.10.4] and I need to update the OS as far as I can without turning it into a snail, but the latest version [Mojave] is not compatible with my Mac. I need at least 10.11 [ El Capitan ] or if it is compatible, 10.12 [Sierra], can anyone help me out ?

[CS1983]

El Capitan:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886


Sierra:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208202

Follow those directions. Ask us questions if you are unsure.

For the love of aunt Mable, back up anything you cannot lose BEFORE you do anything.

[SideShow Bob]

Guess I need to get an external drive to use Time machine to back up my Mac before i try to upgrade,there are some things that I don’t want to lose on it.
Do you have a recommendation for a cheap one that is compatible ?

[CS1983]

Just back up files to a cloud service. Dropbox, Google drive, etc.

Or use a USB. You can get a 64GB usb for cheap.

How large are the needed files total?

[SideShow Bob]

I’ll have to check, but I know that I will have to pay for cloud service, I am almost maxed out on the “free” allotment.

[CS1983]

I’ll have to check, but I know that I will have to pay for cloud service, I am almost maxed out on the “free” allotment.

Not if you sign up for a new service, unless you need more than the free ones offer.

Check total size you need to back up and let us know.

[SideShow Bob]

Just back up files to a cloud service. Dropbox, Google drive, etc.

Or use a USB. You can get a 64GB usb for cheap.

How large are the needed files total?

You didn’t tell me that I needed a high speed USB, I got a Cheeto 128 G USB, and it took almost 7 hours to download the backup through “time Machine’”. Now I’ve got the upgrade for El Capitan loading.to the “Ole” Mac. We shall see if it was worth the trouble.

[Ah Pook]

I have a late 2008 MacBook Pro and am running El Cap 10.11.6. Mine is too old to run Yosemite.

I Time Machine to an external 1TB hard drive. They start at $45 on Amazon.

[SideShow Bob]

I have a late 2008 MacBook Pro and am running El Cap 10.11.6. Mine is too old to run Yosemite.

I Time Machine to an external 1TB hard drive. They start at $45 on Amazon.

Strange, Yosemite (10.10) is one step below El Capitan (10.11) What I have been reading, I can only upgrade from Yosemite to El Capitan due to the manufacture designation “Early. 2009”. Any upgrade beyond that is not compatible.

[Mtneer]

I managed to upgrade a 2009 Mac Pro to High Sierra (10.13.6). According to Apple, it wasn't supposed to go that high but I found some instructions. Had to download a file to a USB and reboot. Sorry, can't remember details, but it can be done depending on machine.

If I replace a video card, I could bring it up to Mojave (10.14.6) and probably Catalina (10.15, next month) but not worth the expense.