How to run classic on OS X Tiger 10.4.10

I assume your MacBook is a PowerPC model (G5, G4, etc). If it is Intel based, you CANNOT run the Classic evironment on it as it will simply not be recognised. If it IS PowerPC based, then you can install Classic within OS X 10.4.x (and also 10.3, 10.2 & 10.1) but there are issues to consider: see
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106434 and
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75288

Don't bother with versions earlier than OS 9.2.2

Also, as you don't already have the Classic environment, I'm not sure if merely downloading OS 9.2.2 will do the trick as this is not in itself the Classic emulation environment you need. I've searched Apple's website including the Downloads section but can't find a specific Classic download. When I bought my G5 PowerMac, it was supplied with OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) and Classic was included on the Intallation CD. I've since upgraded to 10.3 and then 10.4, and Classic is not included on 10.4's Installation DVD although 10.4 supports Classic if you already have it installed as I have. If you can't find a Classic download on the Apple website, all I can suggest is that you find someone with an installation CD/DVD for 10.2 and borrow it to install Classic. I'm not certain if Classic is included on the 10.3 Installation disk so you'd have to check if you can't find a 10.2 disk. Reading the pages I've supplied links to above, I suspect you may need to re-install 10.4.10 after installing Classic, but the info ion this isn't clear. After installing Classic, set it's Prefs so that a Classic icon appears in the right-hand portion of your extreme upper menu bar. This enables you to turn Classic on and off as required. Only turn it on when you need to use it as it slows the Mac noticeably (even with dual G5 CPUs!!). Hope this helps.

Ian Mathieson.
U.K.

I have OSX 10.4.10 and I run classic almost everyday. However I am not using a Intel Based MacBook like you will be. The Intel based Macs CANNOT run PPC or 68K software.


John

Hi Kjaerlund;

Your MacBook is not capable of running "Classic" mode. When Apple developed Rosette for support of PPC application support for "Classic" was left out. This is a hardware issue and has nothing to do with the version of OS X involved.

There is a third party emulator called "SheepShaver" that is available. I have never used it and what I have heard the support it provides for games is marginal at best.

Allan

Allan,

On a related note, I have a user with a PowerBook G4 running 10.4.4 with some classic applications. They're running fine... but the recent iTunes update requires 10.4.7+... if she upgrades, will she clobber her ability to run Classic? I'm betting not.... but I'm looking for 3rd part verification.

Thanks!
JTK

Hi JTK;

My PowerMac Quad is current with all of the software updates from Apple and is still capable of running "Classic:. I just about never use and I had to test it once again to answer you question because I had not done that for the last couple of updates.

Allan

JTK,

You seem to know how to set up the Classic environment on Tiger. I have followed all of the Apple support pages, but have not been successful.

I have a PowerBook G4. I am running 10.4.10. I have an OS 9 bootable CD, and OS 9.1 and 9.2 Upgrade CDs. I cannot boot to the OS 9 CD.

How do I set up the Classic environment in Tiger????

Thank you in advance for your advice.

Tim

Hi, Tim. No Powerbook G4 model can start up in any version of OS 9 lower than the model-specific 9.1 version that came with the earliest PB G4, and most of the two dozen or more PB G4 models can't start up in any version of OS 9 at all. Your OS 9.0.x CD won't be able to install anything on your Powerbook.

One of the discs that was originally shipped with your Powerbook contains an installer for Classic support. That's what you need to use.

Hi Ian Mathieson;

I don't know where you have gotten the impression that MacBook can be G4 or G5 based, to the best of my knowledge all MacBooks are Intel based. Also as far as I know there has never been a laptop that used the G5 processor because the heat dissipation of that chip was too great for the laptop format.

Allan

Hello Kjaerlund

i just registered for this forum in order to post this answer - it wont help installing classic on newer macs, but it will help installing diablo II natively in os x.

just go to http://ftp.blizzard.com/pub/diablo2/patches/Mac/DiabloIIInstaller.dmg
and download the darn thing 😉 it will install diablo 2 natively in mac os x, no classic needed.


in case you wanted to install the first part of the diablo series, i can't help you anyways, sorry....

greetings from bavaria, germany

Hi Allan,

Oops, you are quite correct. The G5 processor never made its way into Mac Laptops because of its high electrical power consumption and the consequent large amount of heat generated. Re the Intel bit, I confess to getting my Mac laptop names confused.

However, all this does is simplify rather than negate my answer to Kjaerlund as it simply means that my first part is still correct in that he CANNOT install Classic on his Intel based MacBook. The remainder of my reply should now be disregarded.

The inability of Intel Macs to run Classic is actually why I had to specifically search out a refurbed G5 iMac for my daughter so that she could also run older software written for OS 9 to retain full compatibility with my software suite which is a mix of OS X software and OS 9 software, much of the latter now being no longer available in an OS X version and therefore is irreplaceable.

Thanks for your input.

Ian.

Hi Ian;

My solution to the older OS 9 software problem was to do away with it as quickly as possible. I found that by upgrading to the new versions of the software I am using my productivity increase so much the expense was will worth it. I no longer have anything that runs under OS 9 on my system.

Allan


Message was edited by: Allan Eckert

Sorry for the interruption but...

How do I install Classic? When I try to run an application that was written for the Mac OS circa 1995 on my OS 10 machine, I get the message that I need to run the application in Classic but not other options seem to be available. Any suggestions?

berkowij wrote:
Sorry for the interruption but...

How do I install Classic?

If you have a PowerPC Mac, you can install Classic several ways. The easiest is to use the system discs which shipped with your Mac. Older PPC Macs shipped with a separate OS 9 CD; boot from that CD and run the Installer. Newer PPC Macs shipped with two or more CDs or a DVD; if you have two CDs or more, on one of the CDs, usually CD 2, there will be an icon named something like 'Additional Software & Classic'. If you have the DVD, there'll be a similar icon there. Double-click that icon, and install Classic.

If you have an Intel Mac, you can't use Classic. You will need SheepShaver or similar.

When I try to run an application that was written for the Mac OS circa 1995 on my OS 10 machine, I get the message that I need to run the application in Classic but not other options seem to be available. Any suggestions?

I am using iTunes 7.3.1 (the latest version) on OSX 10.4.10 on my May 2005 iBook and Classic runs just fine.


John

Incorrect - the Intel Macs CAN run PowerPC programs designed for OS X.