Can't run a application on 10.7

Question

I'm trying to run an application named "Test.4a". The icon has a line going across it (similar to a "No Smoking" sign). And it says "You can't open the application Test.4A because the Classic environment is no longer supported". Any ideas on what to do with this? I'm on Mac 10.7. The application was created with "Supercard". That's all I know.

Answer 1

If you select the application and choose File > Get Info, you'll be able to see that the "Kind" of the application is of the kind "Classic", mean it is designed to run on Mac OS 9 (or earlier).

From Mac OS 10.0 to 10.4 (Tiger), PowerPC Macs came with an emulator of Mac OS 9 for running these older applications. Since 10.5 (Leopard) and the switch to Intel processors, these applications have given the error "The Classic environment is no longer supported." when you attempt to run them.

If you really, really need to run this application, here are some alternatives:

• Emulate an older Mac, using software such as SheepShaver. This is not for the faint of heart, but there are instructions.
• Use an older Mac (such as an iBook G4 or PowerBook) which is still running 10.4 or earlier.
• Use an even older Mac running Mac OS 9.