[G4] Problem with spreadsheets in Classic mode

[Tony Johansen]

On 3/2/2006 4:33 PM, "S. Kennedy" <skenn at earthlink.net> wrote:

> 
> Ever since I upgraded to a 1.25 dual G4 desktop with OS X 10.3.9 and 9.2.2 I
> have had a serious problem trying to get classic spreadsheets to run.
> 
> The spreadsheets that I have are Excel 4, Lotus 2 and WingZ.  WingZ is the
> only one that will function on this computer whether booted in 9.2.2 or in X
> (classic).  Excel and Lotus are the only old Mac OS applications that I
> haven't been able to get to work on my G4.
> 
> Excel will open a new file but the minute I click on anything it quits
> immediately.  Lotus will not start up at all.  All 3 programs run fine in 9.1
> on my old G3 computer.  Since I don't have a floppy drive on the G4 I have
> tried several methods of installing the programs, simply copying over and
> making disk images on CD.  The disk images work fine on the G3 but not on the
> G4.
> 
> I am most interested in getting Excel to work on the G4.  Does anyone know if
> it is possible to get Excel 4 to work on a G4 tower running 10.3.9 and 9.2.2
> and if so, how do you make it work?
> 
> S. Kennedy

At risk of sounding a bit rude, anything that depends on a floppy drive is
so old that you might consider that you have gotten your moneys worth out of
it many times over, and perhaps it is time to upgrade to a more recent
version that is made for a modern operating system.

The problem with older programs is that each OS upgrade incrementally makes
more and more changes away from that which a particular program is made for.
When you install a program the backwards compatibility is stated, but since
the future is unknowable a future OS compatibility is not stated. However
eventually there will be a limit. You may well have reached that point
despite 'classic'.

As someone who came along after the introduction of OS X I have never really
understood the holding on to OS 9 programs that occurs. So far as I can tell
OS 9 is a limited and unpleasant to use system better avoided where
possible. Still familiarity is important, and I can understand that sadness
that comes when for instance an old pair of shoes has to be thrown out.

It usually takes a little while, but usually you reach a point where you
wondered why it took so long to make the change.

My apologies for the philosophical answer in the absence of any solutions
that get the program you choose working. Best of luck.


Tony
http://www.tonyjohansen.com
A Life Of Art