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Dior FIDM

Q: Classic games for OS X...?

I have an old game for 'Classic' and want to play it on OS X (current) and I am wondering if its possible....

there are no known patches available.

Thanks

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.2), None

Posted on Mar 26, 2009 5:16 AM

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Q: Classic games for OS X...?

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  • by Texas Mac Man,

    Texas Mac Man Texas Mac Man Mar 26, 2009 6:10 AM in response to Dior FIDM
    Level 8 (46,611 points)
    Mar 26, 2009 6:10 AM in response to Dior FIDM
    Classic is defined as running OS 9.2.x while booted in OS X. I believe the old game you have requires you to be booted in OS 9.x or below. OS X is a completely different operating system, so it win't play.

    These two similar posts provide more information.
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1948973&tstart=0
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1886506&tstart=0

     Cheers, Tom

  • by Don Archibald,

    Don Archibald Don Archibald Mar 26, 2009 6:11 AM in response to Dior FIDM
    Level 10 (101,435 points)
    Mar 26, 2009 6:11 AM in response to Dior FIDM
    Hi, Dior -

    First, a clarification. Classic refers to using OS 9 as an application in OSX, in order to provide an environment in which many OS 9-only programs can be run. When a machine is booted to OS 9, when OS 9 is used as the Operating System for the machine (a machine can use only one OS at a time), it is referred to as OS 9.

    Unfortunately, OSX 10.5 does not support Classic at all. In addition, your MacBook is an Intel-processor machine; Macs with Intel processors do not support either OS 9 or Classic.

    Unless the original publisher or a 3rd-party has released a patch for an OS 9 program to allow it to be used in OSX, it can't be done - programs written to run in OS 9 or Classic do not have coding compatible with OSX; they don't speak the same language.

    There are emulators available which allow the use of certain older OS's in OSX 10.5. One of these is SheepShaver, which has a limit of using OS 9.0.4 as the latest version.

    Whether SheepShaver (or any other emulator) would work for your purposes is a different issue. Some games require direct access to the machine's hardware; such access is usually denied when the program is run in an emulator, or even in Classic.

    If you really want to use that game, and can't find an OSX patch or equivalent game, you might find it more convenient to get an older Mac, one capable of booting to OS 9, for use just for that and other older games. Many older Macs, such as an iMac G3 or an early desktop G4, are not expensive.
  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Mar 26, 2009 3:02 PM in response to Dior FIDM
    Level 9 (66,876 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Mar 26, 2009 3:02 PM in response to Dior FIDM
    There are alternative games available, and gaming emulators on my FAQ*:

    http://www.macmaps.com/macgamepages.html

    Sheepshaver's legality is questionable, and difficult to install. You are better off getting a used Mac, if no Mac OS X equivalent title can be found*:

    http://www.macmaps.com/usedrefurbished.html

    - * Links to my pages may give me compensation.
  • by Simon Teale,

    Simon Teale Simon Teale Mar 29, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Dior FIDM
    Level 5 (4,680 points)
    Mar 29, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Dior FIDM
    If you were to divulge the name of this great OS9 / Classic game, some of us may be able to provide some real step-by-step advice. Like already said, there may be an OSX / UB patch for it, there may be a new (better) version for OSX, or a web-based version, or another solution.
    Simplest solution my be emulation, or buying a $5 iMac G3 / $80 iMac G4. Let us know which game it is.
  • by tokiyan,

    tokiyan tokiyan Apr 2, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Simon Teale
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 2, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Simon Teale
    I also have some Classic games I like to play and one program--Omni Page Pro. I just got a Mac Mini and was told I could use my G4 as an external hard drive in target mode. Is there any way to be able to run my G4 apps while using the Mini? or do I need to boot the G4 separately in non-target mode?

    thanks anyone
  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Apr 2, 2009 9:45 AM in response to tokiyan
    Level 9 (66,876 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Apr 2, 2009 9:45 AM in response to tokiyan
    Welcome to Apple Discussions tokiyan!
    You must boot into your G4 to run your G4's apps that are not able to run in Rosetta. Intel Mac Minis can't run Classic. Target Disk Mode provides none of the processing power of the target machine. It basically treats the target machine as an external hard drive. The target machine is the one that is activated with the T key. OmniPage Pro is available for Mac OS X.

    If you have further questions, please start a new topic thread here:

    http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=669&start=0

    so as not to confuse the original poster with solutions that don't apply to them, and to allow yourself to get a wider audience that can give you focussed attention.