Specifications

44 Chapter 3
Using Classic in Mac OS X
In addition to using Mac OS X applications, you can continue to use Mac OS 9 applications in
the Classic environment. Classic works in the background to access Mac OS 9 features and
software applications. When you start up Classic, Mac OS 9 software works in Mac OS X just
as it does in Mac OS 9, although it doesn’t benefit from Mac OS X features such as the look of
the new interface. Simply open a Mac OS 9 application or double-click a document created in
a Mac OS 9 application. If Classic isn’t running, it starts up.
Classic continues to run in the background, even if no Classic applications are open, so that
Mac OS 9 applications and documents open faster and more easily. You can set your
computer to start up Classic automatically when you log in to Mac OS X. Choose System
Preferences from the Apple (K) menu, click Classic, and select “Start up Classic on login to
this computer.”
To quit the Classic environment, click Force Quit in the Classic pane of System Preferences.
You can also choose Force Quit from the Apple (K) menu, select Classic Environment in the
list, and click Force Quit.
Switching Between Operating Systems
Some tasks and software applications have not yet been optimized to work with Mac OS X or
Classic and perform best in Mac OS 9. You can set your computer to start up in Mac OS 9 and
change the Mac OS your computer uses when it starts up as often as you like.
Important Do not remove the Mac OS 9 operating system from your computer. For Classic
to work, Mac OS 9 must be installed.