OS 10.6 will not run on any Mac that shipped after 2011.

With the problems you've been having, it's possible that updating to OS 10.8 will cause more. Best to install it on a separate drive first and do a Clean Install to bring your files and apps over. Do not clone your system drive. Do not copy over any freeware or shareware no matter how much you like it unless you've vetted the app first. Even a few commercial apps like CD Spin Doctor and Spin Dr X, bundled with Toast will give you major kernel panics (doesn't work past 10.6 anyway). The Bresink Temperature Monitor is another utility to avoid.

You don't say what Mac you have but any Intel Mac will boot and run from a USB drive.


BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5