GG-X

Q: how do i convert mac classic files to a currently readable format?

how do i convert mac classic files to a currently readable format? I have managed to copy them to a USB stick, and would like to find a site which can convert them to RTF or another current format.

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Apr 11, 2012 3:18 PM

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Q: how do i convert mac classic files to a currently readable format?

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  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Apr 11, 2012 4:13 PM in response to GG-X
    Level 10 (123,501 points)
    Apr 11, 2012 4:13 PM in response to GG-X

    We need to know which kind of files they are... what extensions do they have?

  • by GG-X,

    GG-X GG-X Apr 13, 2012 7:03 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 13, 2012 7:03 AM in response to BDAqua

    Thanks for the response.

    The files were created 20 - 25 years ago on an early Mac, almost certainly with Microsoft Word. The "get info" function calls one of them a "Microsoft Word 1.x-5.x. document". No extension is visible. I'm looking at them now on my Mac Mini 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo running OS 10.5.8. I do not have the classic environment installed.

     

    I have copied the files (via drag and drop) onto  a PNY USB stick. I'd like to find someplace that could convert the files to any format that would let me retrieve the text.  I have Apple's Pages, Neo-Office and, of course, Text Edit available on my machine.

     

    Any suggestions more than welcomed.

  • by a brody,Helpful

    a brody a brody Apr 13, 2012 7:33 AM in response to GG-X
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Apr 13, 2012 7:33 AM in response to GG-X

    http://www.zamzar.com/ is a good place for conversion to a more up to date format.

  • by GG-X,

    GG-X GG-X Apr 13, 2012 11:38 AM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 13, 2012 11:38 AM in response to a brody

    Thanks for telling me about zamzar. I can see how useful it might be. However, when I try it, it tells me "file has no extension." I know the old mac files in fact did not have an extension in their names, but perhaps zamzar doesn't?

  • by a brody,Solvedanswer

    a brody a brody Apr 13, 2012 11:39 AM in response to GG-X
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Apr 13, 2012 11:39 AM in response to GG-X

    Since most are Microsoft Word documents add a .doc extension if they are.  If they are any other application try to find the normal corresponding file extension.

  • by GG-X,

    GG-X GG-X Apr 13, 2012 3:03 PM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 13, 2012 3:03 PM in response to a brody

    Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't know the presence of ".doc" was what made the file a doc file!

     

    I've sent off a couple of files. If they come back readable, I'll hasten to mark this problem as solved.

     

    George

  • by GG-X,

    GG-X GG-X Apr 14, 2012 3:29 PM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 14, 2012 3:29 PM in response to a brody

    Problem solved. I'm converting them from ".doc" to ".txt". I lose formatting, but if I ever need to print them page editting will be no big deal. Many, many thanks.