[wvlindystr]

I have an older iMac with OS 8.6. Can I download music and burn CDs or do I need a new computer with a more current OS. As You can probably tell, there are no teenagers in my house! Thanks to all.

[SeaFox]

I download music and burn CD's with a 7300/200. Your iMac is more than enough. Since you have an iMac, you also have "native" USB support (maybe Firewire too depending on your iMac model). So you can burn CD's with iTunes and a supported external CD burner.
I'm not sure what you mean by "downloading music". There are many legally available mp3 files available at indepentant band promotion sites like mp3.com and Amazon also offers a selection of downloadable tunes by nationally recognized artists. And your web browser is all you need to access those files.
If you mean Peer-to-Peer software, you may want to upgrade to OS9 first. But there are programs for that still available for the classic MacOS. Limewire and iSwipe are a couple.

[tobiasjanning]

dowloading and burning are no problems with your os. but you should use mac os 9 so you can use itunes2. its one of the best solution for music on computers. also you can burn dirctly your cds or mpr3-cds. this makes collecting music very easy.
i also prefer limewire to downlaod files.
tobi from germany(old-europe)

[GlennBlaylock]

In reply to:

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Since you have an iMac, you also have "native" USB support (maybe Firewire too depending on your iMac model). So you can burn CD's with iTunes and a supported external CD burner.

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Actually, no, he can't. iTunes 1.0 requires at least Mac OS 9.0.4. wvlindystr, stated that he only has 8.6. Therefore, iTunes is not an option without first upgrading the OS. However, If you can get your hands on a copy of Toast 4 Deluxe, then I think that has the capabilities for which you are looking.

[SeaFox]

The hack for iTunes on MacOS 8 has been shown to work fairly well. I can't find a link to it right now. But it used to be on versiontracker.
But I agree the move to OS9 would be prudent. Especially while you can still find it. Plus then he could use a newer version of Toast.

[GlennBlaylock]

Does that hack for iTunes also enable CD burning. If I remember correctly, which is questionable on this, you also needed Disc Burner in order to actually burn CDs from iTunes. Disc Burner itself required at least Mac OS 9.1.
In any event, I too would recommend upgrading your OS to at least 9.1. Also, if you do want to use both iTunes and Toast on the same computer, then you will need to do this so that you can use Toast 5. Earlier versions of Toast are not compatible with iTunes. There are workarounds, but it is just easier to use the version that is compatible.

[SeaFox]

In reply to:

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Does that hack for iTunes also enable CD burning. If I remember correctly, which is questionable on this, you also needed Disc Burner in order to actually burn CDs from iTunes. Disc Burner itself required at least Mac OS 9.1.

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I don't know how well the hacked iTunes did on burning. I only tried the hacked iTunes briefly back when I was using 8.6 (because I had already paid my license for Audion). Unfortunately, we can't just read the versiontracker user comments now. I'm not sure if it's Disk Burner itself that's required. But I know you need Authoring Support (which is probably just what Apple calls the package that includes Burner and the support files) /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I started using iTunes again on a limited basis recently and now having OS9.1, I downloaded Authoring Support and tried it to see if would work with my third party USB card. But the installer refused to run since it wasn't a computer with built-in USB. (really annoying)

[texas_macman]

If you are using Mac OS 8.6 on an older Mac and for some reason you choose not to upgrade your system software to take advantage of Mac OS 9.x, you can't use iTunes. That is, unless you download the iTunes Mac OS 8.6 patch , which will unlock the installer and the iTunes application, so that they will run on Mac OS 8.6 (Mac OS 8.0/8.1 and 8.5/8.5.1 use a different interface library which is not compatible with iTunes.)
You can download the iTunes Mac OS 8.6 patch and iTunes at:
http://www.worminthe...oads/index.html

Cheers, Tom
http://www.geocities.com/texasmacman/MacTroubleshoot.html

[GlennBlaylock]

And the two entries at this address ansered my question about burning music CDs with iTunes.