Thanks. Your imput is helpful. I'm trying to decide if I need to buy a new desktop. I think I may have had some unrealistic expectations re: my iMac, which is between 4 and 5 years old. I supposed I might get 8 or 10 years out of it. Maybe I can, but I don't know how to decide. If it is prudent to replace it, I'm gonna have to go with another PC because of the cost. I like the Mac for my home computer, mainly because until recently it has been trouble free and I haven't run into software glitches like it seemed was always happening with my previous PC's, and I don't have to worry much about viruses. What I want from a computer is to turn it on and have it simply and easily do the few things I want or need it to do with little time, energy or attention needed from me regarding maintenance and updating.

The hard drive is full. My son has a huge iTunes library. I have never updated the operating system from OS X 10.4.11. It has 1 GB of RAM and another GB can be added. It has an Intel Dual Core processor. Have always had problems with Java but could live with those problems. I can not upgrade to the latest versions of Foxfire or iTunes because of the obsolete operating system.   I get "unknown error" messages when I try to update to the latest Flash player, and some video links will not work with the outdated version of Flash.

In order to upgrade the operating system, I will need to have the Geek Squad at Best Buy add that GB of RAM, and planned to buy an external hard drive to move iTunes and free up space on the hard drive. To give an idea of my knowledge and attitudes about computers, I've been contemplating an external hard drive for at least a year. When I browse hard drives I don't understand what I am reading about, can't figure out what I need, and feel very anxious that once I buy one, I won't be able to comprehend how to move files onto it. I really am a technophobe.

I've been advised by my Mudcat Mac aficionado to upgrade to Leopard, but not to Snow Leopard. His first advice was to buy a refurbished Mac. That is not responsibly in the budget. The home desktop is a purely recreational instrument. I use my PC laptop for all business applications and financial record keeping, but use it recreationally only when traveling, which I rarely do. That means I also don't have to worry too much about viruses and malware on it so use freeware that I don't have to pay much attention to keeping updated, etc.

Now, as I posted to another thread, I have a CD stuck in the optical drive, and am going to have to take it to the Geek Squad anyway to have that dealt with, and, presumably, the optical drive replaced.

The problem I have is the Best Buy Geek Squad is my only option. When it comes to computers, computer technology, and home repair issues, I have proven myself to be very vulnerable. I have very limited knowledge, work 60 hours per week at two jobs so have no time to educate myself, and when it comes to anything technological -be it computers or fixing a leaky sink, my brain simply does not compute.

Best Buy would rather sell me a new computer than fix an old one so I can't trust the advice I might get. If I can spend $200 - $500 dollars to fix and upgrade this Mac and have a reasonable expectation it will be good to go for another 2-4 years, that is what I prefer to do. I don't want to spend that and still end up having to get a new computer.

There is another thread topic here that I won't start but hope some one does, re techie, learning new operating systems, aging, etc.