Parallels question

[adsl3g]

I have installed the trial version and am running Win XP in Parallels under Mac OSX. No major performance issues - I may just buy the package since there are one or 2 proggies that need to run under Win XP.

My question.. is it necessary to load an antivirus in WinXP when running under Parallels?
Also, does parallels dynamically allocate space to XP - if it does I am definately getting it since in Bootcamp you have to allocate a predefined space which may be wasted.

[bwana]

I have installed the trial version and am running Win XP in Parallels under Mac OSX. No major performance issues - I may just buy the package since there are one or 2 proggies that need to run under Win XP.

My question.. is it necessary to load an antivirus in WinXP when running under Parallels?
Also, does parallels dynamically allocate space to XP - if it does I am definately getting it since in Bootcamp you have to allocate a predefined space which may be wasted.When parallels is loaded you're pretty much exposed to the same things as you would be when you use any windows os so its up to you. :)

And yes - afaik it adjusts the disk image size dynamically.

[LandyMan]

When parallels is loaded you're pretty much exposed to the same things as you would be when you use any windows os so its up to you. :)

And yes - afaik it adjusts the disk image size dynamically.

Yep, antivirus is a definite must. Like bwana said, it gets exposed to the same things as a normal XP machine (If you can get on the internet, the internet can get on your machine :D)

About the disk image - there is a yes and no component to it, depending on your setup. If you choose an expanding image, the image file will grow up to your preset image file size (don't make it too small though, as it is a b!tch to extend it further, once you've reached that preset value - I am running both my XP and Win2003 on 20Gb images)

If you choose static, it will create the eg 20Gb file, and allocate the full 20Gb from your HDD.

[adsl3g]

..another question, is it possible to use the Mac's bluetooth for a Win XP installation running under Parallels? or should I load some native Win bluetooth drivers (Belkin eg) in the Win XP installation to make use of the Mac BTooth? I can set up a serial port using Btooth in the config settings of the Win OS but there are no settings under Win XP to detect the BTooth device.

[LandyMan]

Which release of Parallels did you install?

The latest official release (Build 1970 iirc) doesn't support USB2 or Bluetooth. The beta release does support USB2, but I haven't tried Bluetooth. Check out forum.parallels.com ... You will most likely get an idea there

[adsl3g]

Thanks, it seems I have version 1970. Still in trial though - testing before I buy the package.

[adsl3g]

In the new ||s, there is an option for 'favourite applications' - (open ||s tools under WinXP). This allows a Win application to reside on the Mac OS desktop which you mearly click to open under Mac OSX. Anyone know how this operates as I cannot find where to specify the 'favourite' Win app to show in OSX. I have looked through the documentation but cannot find anything.
Have you guys tried this?

[bwana]

In the new ||s, there is an option for 'favourite applications' - (open ||s tools under WinXP). This allows a Win application to reside on the Mac OS desktop which you mearly click to open under Mac OSX. Anyone know how this operates as I cannot find where to specify the 'favourite' Win app to show in OSX. I have looked through the documentation but cannot find anything.
Have you guys tried this?Coherence mode? You need to be running the beta afaik.

[icyrus]

In the new ||s, there is an option for 'favourite applications' - (open ||s tools under WinXP). This allows a Win application to reside on the Mac OS desktop which you mearly click to open under Mac OSX. Anyone know how this operates as I cannot find where to specify the 'favourite' Win app to show in OSX. I have looked through the documentation but cannot find anything.
Have you guys tried this?

Running the latest beta, if you open a windows app - say IE - its shows in your OS X dock, just right click it and say keep in dock?

[bwana]

Finally found a use for parallels - using dvd decrypter for ripping those pesky disney flicks that mactheripper balks at.

Now I just need a to find some more otherwise I'll have to admit I wasted $80.

[adsl3g]

Coherence mode? You need to be running the beta afaik.

Yup, I got the latest RC2 and paid for the package to boot. Will be loading Clone DVD to see how this performs under OSX/Win.

I am majorly impressed with ||s. There are no or very little performance issues on my Macbook running both OS's.

I see that OSX has active directory. Can I just stick it on my work's network and sign in - have you guys tried this? don't know if it will work. Will wait till lunch time to try it out.

[LandyMan]

WRT the favourite programs, yep, its coherence mode you are looking for. Actually works quite nicely, and very clever imho. Makes it much easier to quickly open up Internet Explorer for instance, or impress the guys in the office by opening up Visio on MAC OS X. I still can't get the bloody thing to auto login though, so it still requires login before starting :(

[bwana]

WRT the favourite programs, yep, its coherence mode you are looking for. Actually works quite nicely, and very clever imho. Makes it much easier to quickly open up Internet Explorer for instance, or impress the guys in the office by opening up Visio on MAC OS X. I still can't get the bloody thing to auto login though, so it still requires login before starting :(Have you tried using Tweak UI for that? http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

[LandyMan]

bwana, yeah, I had tweak UI running for a while ... but it screwed up the passwords somewhere along the lines, to the effect that I couldn't login to the system at all (says wrong pwd, but kills the actual error message before I could do/see anything). I had to put it to sleep, wake it up and hope it would ask me for my password again.

I was hoping that with quick user switching in XP (click on name to start instead of using a password) coherence would open and login automatically, but it still gets stuck on the 'login' page

That being said, I will probably move to Vista sometime this week ... maybe it will work a bit better there (but I am not betting any money on it)

[bwana]

That being said, I will probably move to Vista sometime this week ... maybe it will work a bit better there (but I am not betting any money on it)I cant remember where but I read parallels was dog slow with vista - be interesting to see what you think of it.

[LandyMan]

I've also heard a couple of nasties around Vista and Parallels. Our office environment is moving to Vista, so I might as well install it in Parallels so long to see if I am going to have any issues. The nice thing is that I will still have my "Windows XP machine" backup on a disk somewhere. Gotta love virtual machines!

[adsl3g]

I cant remember where but I read parallels was dog slow with vista - be interesting to see what you think of it.

Would'nt gooi-ing it with more RAM sort it out? Parallels RC2 state it is Vista compatible...

[bwana]

Would'nt gooi-ing it with more RAM sort it out? Parallels RC2 state it is Vista compatible...I dont know - and I also dont have any intention of finding out. Seeing as I have an xbox360 (so gaming is taken care of) I dont see any reason to ever get vista.

[LandyMan]

Would'nt gooi-ing it with more RAM sort it out? Parallels RC2 state it is Vista compatible...

After realising I am going to do alot of work via WinXP virtual machine on the MS suite of products, I decided to add another 1Gb of Memory. I can now *VERY* comfortably run WinXP, Windows Server 2003 and any MAC OS software simultaneously without a problem :D

[bwana]

After realising I am going to do alot of work via WinXP virtual machine on the MS suite of products, I decided to add another 1Gb of Memory. I can now *VERY* comfortably run WinXP, Windows Server 2003 and any MAC OS software simultaneously without a problem :DWhat do you have now then? 3gb? I'd love to upgrade mine but it would mean having 2x 1gb left over.

[LandyMan]

What do you have now then? 3gb? I'd love to upgrade mine but it would mean having 2x 1gb left over.

Nope, remember mine is CD, with 1Gb std ... added 1 more for a total of 2Gb

[bwana]

Nope, remember mine is CD, with 1Gb std ... added 1 more for a total of 2GbOh - I thought you had already done that a while back.

Must be an impressive improvement all the same :) What do you allocate? 1gb to parallels?

[LandyMan]

Oh - I thought you had already done that a while back.

Must be an impressive improvement all the same :) What do you allocate? 1gb to parallels?

Yep, thats what I did a while back ... early Dec iirc. Just mentioned it to adsl3g to enforce the point of memory

The ||s allocation is automatic at this stage ... used to allocate 512mb per virtual machine, which worked like a charm. Thought I'd try the automatic option with the new Beta to see what it does, and it seems pretty much the same as previously

[bwana]

Yep, thats what I did a while back ... early Dec iirc. Just mentioned it to adsl3g to enforce the point of memory

The ||s allocation is automatic at this stage ... used to allocate 512mb per virtual machine, which worked like a charm. Thought I'd try the automatic option with the new Beta to see what it does, and it seems pretty much the same as previouslyI looked at the automatic memory reserve setting in parallels prefs but I see you still have to allocate memory in the virtual pc's configuration so I'm not too clear on what its all about.

[adsl3g]

@Bwana - Is it a mission to increase the memory on a Macbook, w.r.t. having it installed by 'qualified personel' only (I can do it but it will probably impact the warranty) - I feel 2gb would run nicely (currently have 1gb).

Can an iStore do it or must it go to JHB.

[bwana]

@Bwana - Is it a mission to increase the memory on a Macbook, w.r.t. having it installed by 'qualified personel' only (I can do it but it will probably impact the warranty) - I feel 2gb would run nicely (currently have 1gb).

Can an iStore do it or must it go to JHB.Installing the memory yourself doesnt invalidate the warranty - here's apple's manual on the process - http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/MacBook_13inch_Memory_DIY.pdf

What do you have in it now? 2x 512?

[adsl3g]

Installing the memory yourself doesnt invalidate the warranty - here's apple's manual on the process - http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/MacBook_13inch_Memory_DIY.pdf

What do you have in it now? 2x 512?

Thats good news.... You have a buyer for your 2 x 1 gb modules. I assume it is 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300).

The Macbook manual also explains how to upgrade the memory - currently 2 x 512

[bwana]

Thats good news.... You have a buyer for your 2 x 1 gb modules. I assume it is 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300).

The Macbook manual also explains how to upgrade the memory - currently 2 x 512I'll keep that in mind if the powers that be let me upgrade - it's not going to be an easy sell though.

[adsl3g]

I'll keep that in mind if the powers that be let me upgrade - it's not going to be an easy sell though.

In this regard - would you suggest that one gets memory from Apple agents or will any SODIMMS of those specs be fine - I'm thinking of Samsung or Hynix memory modules.

[bwana]

In this regard - would you suggest that one gets memory from Apple agents or will any SODIMMS of those specs be fine - I'm thinking of Samsung or Hynix memory modules.I use whatever I can find.

[LandyMan]

In this regard - would you suggest that one gets memory from Apple agents or will any SODIMMS of those specs be fine - I'm thinking of Samsung or Hynix memory modules.

Go to http://www.kingston.com ... they provide the replacement product codes for the different machines. I upgraded with a Kingston module (over R1000 cheaper than zastore :eek:)

[bwana]

Go to http://www.kingston.com ... they provide the replacement product codes for the different machines. I upgraded with a Kingston module (over R1000 cheaper than zastore :eek:)I cant recall where I ordered the 2gb for my mini from but it was much cheaper sourcing it overseas - and wow what a difference it made.

[icyrus]

I cant recall where I ordered the 2gb for my mini from but it was much cheaper sourcing it overseas - and wow what a difference it made.

How did you get it here? I'm looking to upgrade the ram in my MBP and would like the cheapest option.

[bwana]

How did you get it here? I'm looking to upgrade the ram in my MBP and would like the cheapest option.Obliging parental units. :o

[icyrus]

Obliging parental units. :o

Carried in or posted? ;)

[bwana]

Carried in or posted? ;)Both ways at one time or another. My dad doesnt usually give it much thought and just sends things by airmail. Got my psp and memory stick that way :eek:

What do you have in there right now? 1 x 1gb?

[icyrus]

Both ways at one time or another. My dad doesnt usually give it much thought and just sends things by airmail. Got my psp and memory stick that way :eek:

What do you have in there right now? 1 x 1gb?

To be honest, I bought it as is from the apple store in LA so I don't know. I would hope its 1 x 1gb but it could just as well be 2 x 512 which will annoy me no end when I finally get around to opening it. :)

[adsl3g]

Forget ZA Store - quoted me R4791 for 2 X 1gb DDR2 667mhz modules.

Problem with kingston they don't ship o/side USA.

*talk about hijacking a thread*

[bwana]

To be honest, I bought it as is from the apple store in LA so I don't know. I would hope its 1 x 1gb but it could just as well be 2 x 512 which will annoy me no end when I finally get around to opening it. :) Menu, About this mac, More info button, Memory - it will tell you what you have in there.

And - er - um - more memory is good for parallels too! :D

[icyrus]

 Menu, About this mac, More info button, Memory - it will tell you what you have in there.

Ah, didn't bother checking system profiler. Silly me. Its 1 x 1gb luckily.

[icyrus]

And - er - um - more memory is good for parallels too! :D

Yeah we only slightly hijacked this thread.

[LandyMan]

Forget ZA Store - quoted me R4791 for 2 X 1gb DDR2 667mhz modules.

Problem with kingston they don't ship o/side USA.

*talk about hijacking a thread*

Phone Axiz ... they are the local distributors for Kingston ... and the R1000 less than zastore was local (through Axiz), not from an international site. I paid R1200 odd for a 1Gb stick

[adsl3g]

Phone Axiz ... they are the local distributors for Kingston ... and the R1000 less than zastore was local (through Axiz), not from an international site. I paid R1200 odd for a 1Gb stick

Thanks - will do.

[bwana]

Forget ZA Store - quoted me R4791 for 2 X 1gb DDR2 667mhz modules.Frikkin 'ell!

Is all this for parallels?

[adsl3g]

Frikkin 'ell!

Is all this for parallels?

Well sort of - 2GB also sounds better than 1GB and then I have spare memory in case I want to load Vista as well. :)

I have noticed that when I run Win XP, my resources are on the low side - although the Mac is handling it very well. Still nippy if you give it a few seconds to complete the loading processes.

I won't pay that for memory anyway - will speak to the guys at work that sell hardware and see what they quote me for 2 x 1 gb.

[bwana]

Well sort of - 2GB also sounds better than 1GB and then I have spare memory in case I want to load Vista as well. :)

I have noticed that when I run Win XP, my resources are on the low side - although the Mac is handling it very well. Still nippy if you give it a few seconds to complete the loading processes.

I won't pay that for memory anyway - will speak to the guys at work that sell hardware and see what they quote me for 2 x 1 gb.Have you tried bootcamp? One redeeming feature is you can share the same install of windows between bootcamp and parallels now so if you need to do some heavy work you can do it natively then switch back to parallels when required.

[BobJones]

Go for the cheapest ram that you can get. There is no performance hit. Apple uses Hynix among others for their OEM ram.
Most resellers can get you kingston for about R1200/1x1GB.
AFAIK the MPB's used to ship with 1x1GB.
Crucial has a euro-store that ships to SA, but it works out to about the same as buying kingston here, if not more.

[adsl3g]

Have you tried bootcamp? One redeeming feature is you can share the same install of windows between bootcamp and parallels now so if you need to do some heavy work you can do it natively then switch back to parallels when required.

I was not aware you can run bootcamp on a parallels install. Does bootcamp not want a dedicated HD partition which is why I dumped it first time round?


Go for the cheapest ram that you can get. There is no performance hit. Apple uses Hynix among others for their OEM ram.


The supplier I need to get the memory from supplies Hynix - I must just get one of the guys at work to order it for me as they only deal with retailers. I checked last November's pricelist (that I used to upgrade my PC) and it was around R900 incl VAT. Probably more now as I seem to recall the exchange rate at around R7.00 at that time.

[bwana]

I was not aware you can run bootcamp on a parallels install. Does bootcamp not want a dedicated HD partition which is why I dumped it first time round?Other way around I'm afraid - you can run an existing bootcamp install in parallels. I made a small partition (5gb iirc) and just use externals once it's booted up.

My virtual disk is 7gb anyway so it's not much of a sacrifice and you can always resize the bootcamp partition at a later stage if you want to.

[LandyMan]

One doesn't need 2Gb memory for Parallels. My Win XP VM (with 256Mb memory allocated) outperformed my dell with 2Gb of memory :D

There can never be too much memory, even if not running Parallels

[adsl3g]

One doesn't need 2Gb memory for Parallels. My Win XP VM (with 256Mb memory allocated) outperformed my dell with 2Gb of memory :D

There can never be too much memory, even if not running Parallels

This sounds contradictory (don't need / can never have 2 much) :)

The reason why I want to up my memory is that with coherence mode running, Word open in Win and FF open in OSX, I have a total of 10mb physical memory unused.
Opening other programs causes the Macbook to slow down considerably while it is dealing with possibly? file swapping? to handle the additional memory requirements.
My Win XP has been allocated 412mb which Parallels says is the recommended amount and I have left it at that.
Parallels memory setting is on 512mb which is also the auto selection.

As mentioned, this apparent need for more memory only happens when I switch to coherence mode. Running Win XP in fulll screen and swapping between the two OS's there is not a major lag before I get full responsiveness back to whichever OS I am working on.

The CPU is still about only idling at this stage. (gotta love those Core 2 Duo's)

I like a machine that responds immediately when I click on an icon.:p

[adsl3g]

I'll keep that in mind if the powers that be let me upgrade - it's not going to be an easy sell though.

@Bwana - keep the peace with the powers that be, I managed to get 2 x 1GB modules today. Was a bit of a mission but worth it. Will report back on the Macbook's performance tonight once I loaded them.

[LandyMan]

@Bwana - keep the peace with the powers that be, I managed to get 2 x 1GB modules today. Was a bit of a mission but worth it. Will report back on the Macbook's performance tonight once I loaded them.

How much?

[bwana]

@Bwana - keep the peace with the powers that be, I managed to get 2 x 1GB modules today. Was a bit of a mission but worth it. Will report back on the Macbook's performance tonight once I loaded them.Sweet - I dont think there is any such thing as too much ram :D

[adsl3g]

Sweet - I dont think there is any such thing as too much ram :D


OK, seated the memory and allocated 712mb to Win (recommended) and now have Win XP Pro running with Word and Excel open in coherence mode with a text document in Neooffice and FF in OSX and am using 1.8gb of physical memory. Switching between apps is instant. Damn this is good.

[bwana]

You know you could save yourself ram by running word and excel in osx - even though Mac Office is due for an upgrade this year it's still pretty good. :)

[adsl3g]

You know you could save yourself ram by running word and excel in osx - even though Mac Office is due for an upgrade this year it's still pretty good. :)

Yes but the price of Office is more than the ram and its more impressive doing it the parallels way :cool:

[bwana]

Yes but the price of Office is more than the ram and its more impressive doing it the parallels way :cool:I got the student teacher edition which is much cheaper and has 4 licenses. Parallels is still too buggy for me.

[adsl3g]

I got the student teacher edition which is much cheaper and has 4 licenses.

What is the prerequisite for getting student edition (student card or what?) I don't look like a student anymore :o

[bwana]

What is the prerequisite for getting student edition (student card or what?) I don't look like a student anymore :oI dont know - I didnt ask :)