Computer Help and Support

Paper Roses

(7,504 posts) Sat Dec 5, 2020, 01:42 PM Dec 2020

Is my iPad useless now?

Three years ago I loaned my iPad to my granddaughter . I rarely used it and she had no $$ to buy one for herself. She recently gave it back to me after deleting her info.After I signed in and tried to update it, I could not. It seems that updated are not available. Although I use my desktop..very old and slow...I'd like to try again with the iPad. Useless?

This old timer has a slow desktop, a laptop with a dead battery(and Win 7) and now this problem w/iPad.
It sure stinks when you have no $$ to buy a new computer.

My computer guy is coming next week to give me a tutorial and install whatever I need to use my iPhone so I can post household items I'd like to sell. Boy, it stinks to be old and have missed all this technology. I don't even know what I an reading half the time.

Heck, I remember using a Comptometer at my first job after college and the only computers were at the bank where they used the paper tags. Yikes.
Well, you know my situation, what do you think about the iPad? I'd appreciate any guidance.

12 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Is my iPad useless now? (Original Post) Paper Roses Dec 2020 OP

The best and worst tutorials are all on Youtube. Arne Dec 2020 #1

Which model of iPad do you have? N/T Big Blue Marble Dec 2020 #2

my iPad became "unupdatable" Skittles Dec 2020 #3

If you know that there's nothing on the iPad you want to keep, consider a hard reset. CincyDem Dec 2020 #4

Do you have an Apple store you can go to? s-cubed Dec 2020 #5

Apple's update servers verify the model iPad you have. LuvLoogie Dec 2020 #6

LuvLoogie is correct HuskyOffset Dec 2020 #10

Could be useful ... mr_lebowski Dec 2020 #7

if you don't mind changing brands, cost for a new one can be very reasonable TomDaisy Dec 2020 #8

Call Apple, see what they say Blues Heron Dec 2020 #9

Back to your desktop. A few questions. LuvLoogie Dec 2020 #11

My iPad aged out like that. woodsprite Dec 2020 #12

Arne

(3,578 posts)

1. The best and worst tutorials are all on Youtube.

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 01:45 PM

Dec 2020

Use it just like a search engine, that's what it is.

Big Blue Marble

(5,444 posts)

2. Which model of iPad do you have? N/T

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 01:46 PM

Dec 2020

Skittles

(158,422 posts)

3. my iPad became "unupdatable"

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 01:49 PM

Dec 2020

it seems like a ruse to make people buy a new one? F that; I replaced it with a Samsung tablet

CincyDem

(6,916 posts)

4. If you know that there's nothing on the iPad you want to keep, consider a hard reset.

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 01:49 PM

Dec 2020

Not sure that this will do the trick but if it's a brick now, this should load it back to the most recent update that iPad will accept. Then you can start over as if it were new out of the box.

s-cubed

(1,385 posts)

5. Do you have an Apple store you can go to?

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 01:51 PM

Dec 2020

I’ve found them incredibly helpful with difficult problems, including recovering data from a MacBook with a cracked screen. Make an appointment online with the Genius Bar. Help may be free, depends.

LuvLoogie

(7,520 posts)

6. Apple's update servers verify the model iPad you have.

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 01:53 PM

Dec 2020

If there is an update available for your model, you will get the prompt. Otherwise you might be maxed out for that model.

In Settings in the General section check your model number and see if your current iOS version is maxed out for your model.

HuskyOffset

(906 posts)

10. LuvLoogie is correct

Reply to LuvLoogie (Reply #6)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 03:17 PM

Dec 2020

I'll just add that once you have your iPad model/version, check this chart to see what version of iOS it supports. Your iPad will tell what model it is and what version of iOS it is currently running in Settings->General->About.

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)

7. Could be useful ...

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 01:56 PM

Dec 2020

https://smallbusiness.chron.com/wipe-ipad-factory-settings-passcode-55572.html

TomDaisy

(2,120 posts)

8. if you don't mind changing brands, cost for a new one can be very reasonable

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 02:04 PM

Dec 2020

$99 in this case

https://www.hsn.com/products/amazon-fire-8-hd-32gb-tablet/10083180

Blues Heron

(6,097 posts)

9. Call Apple, see what they say

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 02:13 PM

Dec 2020

You should be able to get that ipad going.

LuvLoogie

(7,520 posts)

11. Back to your desktop. A few questions.

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 04:16 PM

Dec 2020

What make and model?
What OS and version?
How much RAM do you have installed.

You may be able to refresh that computer to Windows 10 for free if it is running a licensed version of Windows 7. The process is a little time consuming and involves several steps, but that and a boost of RAM can really help your PC.

That said, you might find a decent refurbished Windows 10 Pro machine and a nice sized monitor for around $300 all in.

I recommend running Windows 10 on at least 8GB of RAM. My main home PC is a circa 2010 HP Pro 6005 running WIN 10 Pro on 8 GB of RAM. It runs just fine.

I also have a 2009 Mac Mini running Sierra. No need to buy new. But get something that will run the latest Mac OS if you go that route, although you'll likely pay closer to 600 to 800 for a refurbished iMac.

That Kindle price is nice, but I'd like a bit more RAM for a tablet. I'm not as concerned with storage, as that is generally expandable in a tablet.

woodsprite

(12,179 posts)

12. My iPad aged out like that.

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Tue Dec 29, 2020, 07:54 AM

Dec 2020

You “may” be able to work around it by downloading a third party browser, at least for awhile.

Just last night I priced out refurbished Win 10 CPUs from Best Buy for hubby. You can get one for less than $200.

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