Classic environment problems

Application doesnt start up correctly, the computer will run Mac OS 9 in classic environment and then when I start up the application, it goes dark then comes back with a strange color pattern for my wallpaper and the computer, sounds will work and the screen will change colors depending on the point in the application (its an old game)
Is there a way to get the application's video to actually show up?

Hi, MasterLukeS -
Sounds like the game may be trying to adjust the color depth to a more limited one that it needs.
Try presetting the color depth to 256 colors before running the game; you should be able to do that in the Monitors control pane in OSX's System Preferences. I'm not sure OSX offers a color depth that low, but if it does, try it.
That may not work - if the game is real old, it may want a color depth of 16, which will not be available (has not been available for a long time).
Even so, some games insist upon having direct access to the hardware, typically to the monitor. If that game is one of those, it will not do well in Classic. When OS 9 is used as Classic under OSX it is being used as a program, not as an OS, and OSX retains control of the hardware.

Similar Messages

Classic environment problem in Tiger

I recently installed OS 10.4 and updated to 10.4.8. I had been using 10.2.8 and I was having no trouble with OS 9 or the classic environment. Today I tried to start up OS 9 and here are the messages.
1. install Quick Time 6.0.3 or later
2. Classic needs to update files in System Folder
3. There is a problem with updating the Classic specific files
4. Classic was unable to update it's files in System folder.
Do you have advice on how to update System Folder in OS 9 so I can open the system?
17-inch flat panel iMac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Hi, Gail.
You might want to be sure you are running Mac OS 9.2.2 for Classic. A number of interesting Classic-related problems have been noted unless one is using that specific version of Mac OS 9 for Classic under Tiger. Essentially, Tiger requires Mac OS 9.2.2 for Classic.
If you're not using 9.2.2 for Classic you can find the relevant Mac OS 9 updates here.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

Classic Environment Problem

I have Tiger partitioned on another drive, and boots great. Classic environment works decent for most things, but when it comes to some old games that I have, they install smoothly, but when I open them, they stay open for one second then terminate. Any reasons for this happening?

blstu08, welcome to Apple Discussions from a fellow Texan.
No iMac G5 can boot using OS 9.x.
Many classic applications run fine in classic mode. However, most classic games require you to boot into OS 9.x because the game software must control the Mac hardware using OS 9.x. One such control is setting the screen resolution to 640x480.
If you want to run the game, get a used older Mac.
 Cheers, Tom

Problem-Stuck in the Classic Environment

Have a Power PC, G4 Mac running OSX 10.5.8. 10.5.8 has been properly updated thru Software Update. Things worked fine for a long time. Just tried using the OS 9.2.2 Classic Environment again. It used to work before. Now there's a problem. The Startup Disk Control Panel in Classic keeps freezing with the "watch"/thinking icon before an option to select 10.5.8 comes up to restart back into OSX. Mac is now "stuck" in Classic Environment. How do I get back to my regular OSX Environment? Will I need my OSX disk to somehow restore this? Thanks.

One of the downsides to Startup Manager is that for volumes containing more than one viable OS, such as OS X and OS 9, it will offer only the one last booted to. This means if your hard drive is not partitioned and with OS X and OS 9 on separate partitions, Startup Manager can not help you get out of the one stuck in.
To force-boot to OS X, restart or boot, immediatesly press the X key and keep it held down until you know the machine has started to boot into OS X.
Note that this is a one-off event, meaning it will not change the setting in Starup Disk. If you want to continue using OS X for subsequent boots, while bootes to OS X go into System Preferences and make the appropriate selection in Startup Disk.

How to force Tiger to print doc within Classic environment, not with OSX?

I want to print certain documents using OS9's printing utility within the Classic environment, and NOT using Tiger's standard OSX printing method. How?
I know it is possible because I have two Macs connected to the same printer, and it works on one and not the other. I can't figure out why.
Here are the specifics:
I have a printer, the Ricoh Laser AP2600. Connected to it are two computers:
a PowerBook G4 running 10.4.7, and
an iMac running 10.3.9.
When I print documents from OSX applications, the two computers take the exact same time to print. HOWEVER, when I print from Classic applications, the iMac running 10.3.9 prints very quickly, but the PB running 10.4.7 takes two to three times as long. That's because the iMac prints the document using the old OS9 "Print Monitor" printing utility, and never passes the printing back to Tiger. Whenever I try to print a document from a Classic application on the PB, however, it passes the printing to the standard OSX printing method, which (for some reason) is much slower.
(Sorry if I'm not using the right terminology.)
I checked and double-checked, and as far as I can tell, all the "printer descriptions" and "drivers" and everything else is absolutely identical in both System 9 "Extension" folders on both computers. I installed the exact same Ricoh print-driver packages for OSX and Classic on both machines identically. So -- why does one print quickly within Classic, and the other pass the printing job back to slow OSX?
The specific application that causes this discrepancy is MSWord 5.1a, a very old version that only works under Classic. (I use it a lot because I prefer it to more recent versions of MSWord.)
A secondary, but related, question: Why does printing documents from within the Classic environment go so much more quickly than in OSX? It seems to be one of the few aspects of OSX that's worse than OS9.
So -- how can I make my PB behave like my iMac? Is there some difference between 10.3.9 and 10.4.7 that causes this different behavior? Any hints or suggestions would be most appreciated.
Thanks.

OK, I have finally solved the problem -- mostly.
The trick was to click on the Chooser option called "PSPrinter" -- not LaserWriter 8 or any of the others. I took a chance on that since I knew that the Ricoh 2600 was a PostScript printer. When I clicked on it, and chose "Set up printer," I was able to set up the Ricoh driver. Then, when I tried printing, it worked -- it printed within the Classic environment, not in Tiger. And what a difference!! Under Tiger, a simple page of text takes 45 seconds to process and print. Under Classic, the exact same page processes and prints in 8 seconds! A huge difference. So, I finally got it to work.
The downside is that I can't get it to "stick." If I restart Classic (or the entire computer), the next time I go back to print in MSWord 5.1a (my Classic application), it will have reverted back to the Tiger method of printing. So, the first time I print a page in 5.1a during any session, I have to go to Chooser and select PSPrinter. This adds 15 seconds or so to the process, so printing a single page overall isn't any faster, if you add up all the steps. Subsequent prints all are done quickly in Classic automatically, as long as Classic hasn't restarted. (I can even quit the application and restart it without a problem -- only an OS restart causes it to revert back to Tiger printing.)
So, my basic problem is solved, and I'm fairly satisfied. But I still have two nagging issues that I wouldn't mind answered if anybody knows the answers:
How can I make my Chooser printer selection in Classic "stick" permanently from one restart to the next? Why does it revert to Tiger printing after a restart?
And the fundamental question: why is Classic printing so much faster than Tiger printing? I thought Tiger was supposed to be a "digital hub" that made communicating with peripherals so easy? In most ways it is, but why is printing the one way in which OSX is WORSE than OS9, at least in regards to speed?

I tried to save a video to IPhoto, and then when I tried to open IPhoto it told me I can't open the application because classic environment is no longer supported. What does this mean, and how do I get back all my photos and fix this? thanks.

I tried to save a video to IPhoto, and then when I tried to open IPhoto it told me I can't open the application because classic environment is no longer supported. What does this mean, and how do I get back all my photos and fix this? thanks.

With the amount of information you've provided it's impossible to offer a potential solution. We can't see your computer so we need to know some details of your problem and setup, i.e.:
what version of iPhoto are you using?
what system version are you running?
what fixes have you tried?
where is you library located?
did you apply any updates or upgrades just prior to the problem occurring?
are you running a "managed" or "referenced" library?
what type of Mac?
how much free space on your boot drive?
OT

How do you empty the trash in the Classic Environment?

There was a large file on my desktop, called ".tif" (no filename, just ".tif" and nothing else). It was apparently created by the VueScan scanning software. It was not an image I asked it to scan, it's just some sort of test image. It only appears to applications running in Classic. It does not appear to OSX applications, and the Find command in the OSX Finder can't find it.
Using Sherlock 2, running under Classic, I was able to find this file, but the only thing I could do with it in Sherlock 2 was move it to the Trash. So now, it's sitting in the Trash of the Classic environment, but OSX doesn't see it, the Trash in OSX is empty.
There is no "Empty Trash" command in Sherlock 2, or any other Classic program that I have. All of the third-party utility programs that I have for OS 9, such as Norton Utilities, DiskWarrior, etc., won't run under Classic. When I try to run them, I simply get a message, "That application is not supported by Classic."
So, how can I get rid of this file? It is only visible to the Classic environment. Are there any utility programs that run under Classic that can cause the Classic environment Trash to be emptied?
Thank you

Hi, Bob. I have no way to replicate your problem and test this suggestion on my Mac, but I'm confident that it will work. Download File Buddy 8 and use its Find command to search for a file whose name is .tif, including both visible and invisible files in the search. (The "." at the start of the file's name makes it invisible in OS X). Once you find it, select it in File Buddy's hit list — make very sure you're selecting the right file and only that file — and use the Delete command in FB's File menu — not the Trash button in FB's toolbar. "Delete" will remove the file instantly and irrevocably, no matter where it resides, ignoring the usual rigmarole associated with the Trash.
File Buddy is to the Finder what Photoshop is to QuickTime PictureViewer, or Word is to SimpleText. Anything FB can't do to or with your files (and much of what it can), you should be scared of doing. But when you need it, there's no substitute.

Prints in OS X and when booted to OS 9.2, but not Classic environment

This is for an iMac G3 400MHz with 256MB running a fresh full installation of Jaguar 10.2 and OS 9.2. The printer is an HP LaserJet 2100M with a Netgear FM114P print server.
I first installed the printer under OS X, and that works fine. Then I booted to OS 9.2, installed under that, and it prints fine when I boot to OS 9.2. But it does not print from the Classic environment started in OS X. No error messages are generated. Mac OS seems to think everything is fine. On that point, it may be worth noting that the print server only offers one-way communication (but that works fine when I've booted to OS 9.2).
Anyone recognize this problem?
Further notes: The Netgear is a firewalled wireless/Ethernet router with print server that is now set up in access point mode rather than router mode. It is an access point for a 2Wire gateway. The LaserJet is the only thing connected to the Netgear.

I thought about trying to install the printer a third time, from the Classic environment, but did not figure out how. (Classic environment only shows the Desktop during startup.) I think it would require starting a Classic app, opening the Apple menu from there, and doing something .....
At any rate, I found a solution: print in the foreground (no spooling). From the Print window within an application (File | Print), choose Preferences | Background Printing | Print In: Foreground (no spooling). Then click Save Settings to make this choice the default.
This tip appeared in Apple article 106687, "Mac OS X: How to select an LPR printer in Classic" for the case when "the job doesn't print as expected."
If you try to print with Command-P rather than using the Print menu, printing still spools and thereby fails. I don't know why this is since foreground printing is now the default and does not needed to be selected afresh from the print menu. It seems that Command-P runs the job with certain defaults rather than the the user's saved settings.

Classic Environment and Tiger

Hello, all. I installed Tiger about a month ago. (I was previously on 10.2.8.) Ever since then, I can't open any OS 9 applications. When I try to open one, I get this message:
"Classic needs to update files in System Folder on Macintosh HD.
These files will not affect starting your computer from the System Folder."
My options are Update or Quit. If I Quit, then the Classic environment closes. If I Update, I get another message, which reads:
"There is a problem with updating the Classic-specific files. Classic was unable to update its files in the System Folder on Macintosh HD."
The only option there is Quit. If I Quit, then the Classic env. closes.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, all,
Kev
PowerMac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.2)

But if Mike can't install any software from the install disks then he can'at fix things he hasn't installed, either…
Mike, if the Apple repair folks returned the wrong install disk you first need to get the right one, either by pressuring the repair folks or by purchasing a new set, which may still be available through some combination of AppleStore/AppleCare depending on your location…
It is standard practice throughout the IT industry that when there is any problem at all in returning a machine with the same software/data set-up it had on arrival in the workshop, it will instead be returned in the theoretical factory state, which tends to mean with either the shipping software or the latest system updates.
It's also a standard assumption that first backing up any data and/or settings is entirely the User's responsibility and maddeningly, the third standard practice is to assume that all Users know this in advance and do not need warning.
No modern Mac ships with a System Folder for Classic installed, although if you did have the right original disk set all Macs capable of running X, up to and not including th enew Intel Macs, do include installers for pure or Classic 9 as appropriate… which takes us back to you first need to get the right one, either by pressuring the repair folks or by purchasing a new set, which may still be available through some combination of AppleStore/AppleCare depending on your location…
If a friend can ever find his, the installers from a different Mac may not work at all on yours and if they do, may not produce anything stable.
However, with 10.3's Disk Utility you should be able to mount and manually extract the System Folder from the coded image on a Restore - not an Install - disk from another Mac and use that for Classic, but not for pure bootable 9 on another Mac

Jump Raven/Lunicus in Classic Environment

Hi,
In the past i've tried to play two old games by the names of Jump Raven and Lunicus on my eMac with Classic installed. Most of my old games ask to be played in 256 colors and that isn't a problem but, with Jump Raven and Lunicus, I change the monitor to 256 colors and when I click on either game a message pops up that says:
Fatal error: can’t switch to 256 colors.
Am I doing something wrong? Help would be appreciated because I would like to play these two old games again.

Unfortunately some games require software graphics emulation or hardware graphics emulation which may not work in the Classic environment, and only work while booted into Mac OS 9. If your eMac is too new for booting into Mac OS 9, you may be out of luck. To see which eMac can run booted mode, see this tip:
What can I upgrade my eMac to?

Distorted sound in Classic environment

I followed a thread about setting the speed to 41000Hz in order to resolve a problem I have with the "Chipmunk" sound while running older software in the Classic environment. The speed is set to 41000 Hz in the MIDI setup utility, but the problem still exists. This is kid's learning software and I have contacted the companies like Edmark and The Learning Company with no response from them. Any other suggestions to get these to run in Classic? Thank you!!

Hi, Imuzik. It may or may not be possible or practical to get your older software working properly in Classic. Many old games and kids' educational programs expect to be able to change hardware settings on the computer when they are opened — typically display resolution and color depth, sometimes audio settings and other hardware preferences. But in Classic mode, OS X doesn't allow them to make those adjustments, in much the same way (and for some of the same reasons) that you probably don't give your young children access to your household wiring and plumbing.
It may be possible to overcome this limitation by manually changing the necessary settings to whatever the program requires before you open the program. This is probably the basis for the suggestion you followed in the other thread. But it can be hard to figure out what settings are required, and getting all but one of them right may leave you no better off than if none of them were. If you do figure them all out, then there's the problem of having to change them manually every time your child sits down at the computer, and change them back to your normal settings afterward: that may just not be a practical thing for you to try to do.

OS 9 Syst Folder or Classic Environment for G5 that has no original discs?

Last year I unwittingly updated to Intel Macs only to find that all of our kid games run on Classic. So now I have just bought an iMac 2 GHz PowerPC G5 (ALS) 20" thinking that with OS 10.4.6(now updated to 10.4.11) I would be good. Not so. It seems there is no Classic Environment or OS 9 System Folder and the machine only came with one copied disc marked "10.4.6". I have not yet heard back from the seller about obtaining the original discs that shipped with this machine. Where can I go from here? Thanks.

Problem solved. I tried an OS9 disk. Nothing. I tried the "original" install disc that an Apple Specialist sent, but it did not contain the Classic environment. I ended up buying G5 discs with Classic that did the trick. Perhaps my model runs Classic, but was built after Apple stopped installing with Classic. Life is good.

Classic environment issues

I recently reinstalled my IMac to version 10.6.6 which resulted in me having problems with the photoshop on the system. It would eventually open but often asked me to reinstall. I eventually deleted my photoshop programme and began reinstalling. I have an old photoshop version 6 and a CS2 update which is how I intended to reinstall photoshop as this is the way I have done it up to now with no problems. I have had this computer since 2006 so it was already version 10.4. Photoshop is installed and is working on the whole as it had always done with no error messages on my laptop. The reinstall was not successful on my IMac and the error message it gave me was: You can't open the application Install Adobe Photoshop because the classic environment is no longer supported. Is there anything I can do - I would rather not have to buy Photoshop again for my IMac.

Your version of Photoshop runs only in System 9. 10.4 was the last version of OS X to support the classic environment, which was simply an emulator of System 9. This was done to ease people onto the then-new OS X system, and give people time to upgrade their software.
So you basically have two choices - buy another copy of Photoshop (check out used copies on eBay, Craigslist, etc) or reinstall 10.4.

HT3258 I have an older version of software I want to install but I get the "Classic environment not supported". I see some information regarding ACGI and Apache software but it is not in my Utilities file. What to do?

I have a Macbook Pro 15" with Mountian Lion. I want to install an older game but I get the "Classic environment not supported" error. I see some reference to ACGI and Apache software that may solve the problem but it is not in my Utilities file. What to do??

The Classic game Risk II running in Sheepshaver on my Lion Mac Mini:
[click on images to enlarge]
Here is a post I recently assembled for another similar question:
With the newer Intel Macs, you have to run a Classic emulator such as SheepShaver, which requires you to extract the Mac ROMs from your older Classic Mac and then install Mac OS 9.
A related program is Chubby Bunny, which comes bundled with all of that included (google the term "Classic-On-Intel v 4.0.1 chubby bunny").
More information on SheepShaver:
http://www.emaculation.com/doku.php/sheepshaver_mac_os_x_setup
and
http://www.everymac.com/mac-answers/mac-os-9-classic-support-faq/run-macos-9-on- intel-macs.html
and more information about Chubby Bunny:
http://www.macwindows.com/OS9_on_Intel_Mac.html#092408b
and
http://hackthemac.blogspot.co.uk/2008/08/chubby-bunny-old-virtual-machine.html

How do I play games on classic environment?

Hello!
I'm trying to run classic environment on my iMac so that I can play a 1996 game, Zork Nemesis, and I have found something that seems to work but it's WAY to technical in what I need to get it to work and what the installation process is. Can you please help?
Thanks!

Many games you could technically make a .smi file of the CDs with Disk Copy for Mac OS 9 and mount the .smi file so it can access the CD content. Classic (meaning using Mac OS 9 on top of Mac OS X without having to reboot) doesn't do a very good job of working with games that require multiple CDs unless they are all mounted as images that are mounted at once. If you have the one DVD version you are in better shape.
If there are graphics chip requirements, you may have better luck running it in Windows, if you have an Intel Mac, or running on a Mac OS 9 boot on your Mac. The problem is that many such games have graphics chip requirements which Classic does not do a very good job of supporting. There is a Windows 95 version of the same game.
Note: Classic is not compatible with Mac OS X 10.5, but you can dual boot on certain Mac OS 10.5 and Mac OS 9:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-1757

Classic environment problems

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