Possible?? Installing Parallels 3186 onto existing XP Bootcamp partition?

[rightclick]

Hello all,

I am a new Mac user with a MBP running OSX and XP for 3d work in Windows.

However, the more I use OSX, the more I hate having to boot into Windows - So Im looking at Parallels as a possible hybrid solution. The problem is, when it comes to rendertime, Bootcamp is a much more attractive option for performance reasons - So Id like to have both options available to me. I *think this is now possible but Ive found mostly outdated information thats left me more confused than when I started...

With all of my software/settings/files already existing on my XP partition, I dont want Parallels to reformat my drive reinstalling Windows or anything, so Im hoping there is a way??

How can I install parallels 3186 onto my existing XP partition in bootcamp (v1.1.2) without having to reformat?

Thanks!

 

[TurboLag]

Parallels is an OS/X app, so it is installed on your mac partition.

You can install Parallels, then select 'custom' when you create the new windows installation. There, you will be able to select your boot camp partition. Now you will be able to run your preinstalled XP within OS/X, or reboot to boot camp.

 

[mflender]

yes u can

Parallels can be installed on the mac side and use your exisiting boot camp partition for Windows instead of creating a new disk image.

 

[72930]

Remember that 3186 is not the latest build...

 

[slicedbread]

Remember that 3186 is not the latest build...

3188 is.

 

[rightclick]

Sweeet!

You can install Parallels, then select 'custom' when you create the new windows installation. There, you will be able to select your boot camp partition. Now you will be able to run your preinstalled XP within OS/X, or reboot to boot camp.

'Custom' - that was it! Fantastic. Thats sweet! Soooo nice to have a better trackpad response in XP too, along with that sexy OSX zoom feature and VirtueDesktops to switch between OS's. Love it. Thanks for the help guys.

Except now it seems theres a few problems:

• I cannot see my XP volume from OSX, and visa versa as I used to...

• USB and Firewire devices are not being seen by XP in Parallels

and the biggest one (for me anyways)

• Certain software (CS2 & 3dsMax so far..) now have licensing issues... (in both Parallels AND Bootcamp too) - Ive reinstalled and the same error keeps coming back...

I think I had seen a title about the USB problems sometime ago, but didn't look into it. Im not sure about the rest... especially since most software seems to be just fine...