Do I need a full install Leopard/SL disc to run Bootcamp, or just the update disc?

[ellagrrl]

Hi all-

Please take pity on a confused newbie. I'm running 10.4.11 (Tiger) on a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 13" Macbook with 1GB ram.

My school requires me to run Bootcamp to take my exams. They told us that we need 10.5 minimum OS and must have our 'original system discs'. The installation dics that I have are for Tiger. If I buy an upgrade disc to Leopard/SL, will that contain the windows drivers I need to install after I install bootcamp? Or do I need to buy a full installation disc of Snow Leopard (since I think you can't buy the Leopard full installation anymore)?

Another issue someone mentioned is that both Leopard & SL require 1BG ram minimum, which is what I have. I'm worried the os will run very slow, but I don't really have the money to buy new ram and get it install (and don't want to crack the fragile top case) now that I have to buy the new software too.

Thanks for your help and advice!!

 

[wrldwzrd89]

First of all, did your Mac come with Tiger AND a drop-in Leopard DVD? If it did, then the Leopard DVD is an upgrade-only disc. However, that should not stop Boot Camp from working. On the other hand, if you have a retail DVD for 10.5 or 10.6, this counts as an "original system disc" for your purposes.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is, no matter what situation you're in, you should be fine.

 

[ellagrrl]

First of all, did your Mac come with Tiger AND a drop-in Leopard DVD? If it did, then the Leopard DVD is an upgrade-only disc.

It didn't come with Leopard--the computer is 3 years old. I have to buy one or the other.

However, that should not stop Boot Camp from working. On the other hand, if you have a retail DVD for 10.5 or 10.6, this counts as an "original system disc" for your purposes.


Basically, what I'm trying to say is, no matter what situation you're in, you should be fine.

So I should buy an "update" disc from apple? (which would be a 'retail' disc)?

In your opinion, should I update to Leopard or Snow Leopard (considering the 1GB ram situation)?

THANKS!!!!!!!

 

[wrldwzrd89]

It didn't come with Leopard--the computer is 3 years old. I have to buy one or the other.



So I should buy an "update" disc from apple? (which would be a 'retail' disc)?

In your opinion, should I update to Leopard or Snow Leopard (considering the 1GB ram situation)?

THANKS!!!!!!!

You can't buy Leopard retail discs from most retail channels anymore. I'd say go to Snow Leopard. It'll make your Mac faster, anyway. (Yes, the enhancements in SL are tuned for newer hardware, but even older Macs benefit from it.) Technically speaking, the only "update" discs are the drop-in DVDs included with computers after an OS release. All other OS discs from Apple are full installs, and will work just fine.

 

[Yavanna]

I think you are asking if Windows is loaded on the Leopard or SL disk. It isn't. You will need to use a Windows install disk, after you install Snow Leopard. The Retail disk of SL is only $29.00,(you can get it for less someplaces) and should work just fine with your Tiger installation. Also, are you eligible for Education Discounts?

 

[ellagrrl]

I think you are asking if Windows is loaded on the Leopard or SL disk. It isn't. You will need to use a Windows install disk, after you install Snow Leopard. The Retail disk of SL is only $29.00,(you can get it for less someplaces) and should work just fine with your Tiger installation. Also, are you eligible for Education Discounts?

No, I don't need the Windows disc--my school provides that. I just need the OS disc with the correct drivers. It sounds like the update SL disc ($29) has those. A friend said that I might have problems with the OS if I just upgrade straight from Tiger to SL using the update and not the full "box set" (includes iLife and all this other stuff I don't want, but may have a different OS disc type). Is that true at all? I really don't want to pay $170 for the box set!

 

[gugucom]

Technically Snow Leopard has no requirements of a previous Leopard installation. Apple makes a provision in the licensing agreement that you have to have Leopard or Tiger I belive. You may have to check that. It is a legal requirement without technical consequences though. So in any case you can technically use Bootcamp 3.0 drivers from the SL disk if you never had Leopard.

 

[SHADO]

I would just get the $30 upgrade disk because you can install SL from Tiger with it, even though Apple would not like you to know that. And Bootcamp 3.0 is also on there.