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- Thread starter rjheys
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Parallels will read your Boot Camp partition and run your Windows just fine
Woof, Woof Dawg
Hello.
Please let me understand well...
Can I still use Boot Camp start menu if I don't want to run windows under MAC using Parallel?
I'd like to use Windows naively using bootcamp
Then I want also to boot in MAC and sometime use Parallel or VM ware to open some Win XP program when I need.
Can I do that without losing BootCamp capabilities ?
Thank You
if I understand you correctly, then yes. You can either boot Windows natively, use it, save files etc, then reboot into OS X and mount your boot camp partition virtually with Parallels and see all the files you just saved. I used to do this with parallels, bootcamp and Tiger.
if I understand you correctly, then yes. You can either boot Windows natively, use it, save files etc, then reboot into OS X and mount your boot camp partition virtually with Parallels and see all the files you just saved. I used to do this with parallels, bootcamp and Tiger.
Fantastic.
Bootcamp for me offer more power when I need graphic power under windows.
But I also need to run some prog that will not run under mac so I'm always stuck between MAC-only or WinXP-only.
I'll try then and then buy it if does not mess up Win XP partition!
Do you think is better Parallel or VM Ware?
I think the Sun freeware Virtualization program can't use BootCamp Partition like you described for Parallel ins't it?
I was told by Apple support that it is safer to run Windows under Boot Camp, and not use Parallels. The only thing is you have to wait a minute to reboot. Any comments?
I don't know about "safer," but it'll be faster for sure. I've used Parallels 3 for a long while on my MBP and it runs well enough... Well enough that I gave up on Boot Camp entirely. However, I only use it for a limited number of business apps that don't require much oomph.
If I were playing games I would suspect that Boot Camp is going to be superior to Parallels. However I've heard that Parallels 4 offers a significant speed bump when compared to 3.
My feeling is there is no real "safety" issue. It's all about speed (Boot Camp) versus convenience (Parallels).
Unless you have a Windows-version that uses a corporate key, you will have to re-activate Windows after each switch from Parallels to BootCamp or back.
Other than that, VMWare Fusion 2 is the better choice in my experience when you want to use Vista and other operating systems. It's got better support and more professional tools. It also has an import utility to transfer a bootcamp partition into a disk image.
Please note that when you copy the boot camp partition into a disk image, you -will- need a second Windows license if you are planning to use both Boot Camp AND the virtual disk.
As long as you only use the boot camp partition for both Parallels/VMWare and native use, one Windows license is fine (that's why they introduced that feature in the first place).
Other than that, VMWare Fusion 2 is the better choice in my experience when you want to use Vista and other operating systems. It's got better support and more professional tools. It also has an import utility to transfer a bootcamp partition into a disk image.
Please note that when you copy the boot camp partition into a disk image, you -will- need a second Windows license if you are planning to use both Boot Camp AND the virtual disk.
As long as you only use the boot camp partition for both Parallels/VMWare and native use, one Windows license is fine (that's why they introduced that feature in the first place).
Please let me understand better:
My situation:
1 MacBook Pro
1 Partition Leopard
1 Partition Win XP
I only have bootcamp
-------------
Now If I go to install this Parallel 4.0 and tell Parallel to point to existing Boot Camp partition I have to re activate windows using the licence key and calling the Windows Activation services??
And This everytime I swap between one Parallel Session and a BootCamp one?
^ No for XP. Vista, ugh. For those of you that lost their discs, download a program that reads your serial number. copy it down and call MS. For a small fee, they should send you another disc. Or you could torrent an ISO of Windows, since you have a legit serial.
Ok.
I'm not sure about your reply.
Can you please be detailed?
My question is:
Once installed Parallel 4.0 in Leopard, with XP in the Boot Camp Partition, do I have to Re-Activate XP??
Thank You
No. It is a touch and go thing if you need to reactivate in a Virutal Machine. I didn't have to reactivate when I booted into Parallels. But if oyu need to, just activate and then you'll be able to switch back and forth without reactiving every single time.
No. Once oyu activate, its done. You can switch back and forth without any problems.
Both XP and Vista are the same on activation. If activated once, on both sides, it'll remain activated. Plus, even talking about downloading windows on a torrent is a forum violation.
You shouldn't, but if it does ask, activate it.
I have only a limited number of activations.
I don't know if this is a standar procedure for every state in the world.
But I already used two of the tree I have!
If I use parallel I can't swap HD unless I buy a new licence!!
That's why!
So I'll think about it.
Thank You anyway.
I did tested Parallels 4.0 and it screwed up all my Windows Bootcamp partition.
Luckily I had previosly backed up all the Bootcamp Partition with WinClone.
I waited more then 40 minutes to get windows start and then later as soon as I entered the password the HD was running fast and never stopped!
I can't think it is normal wait more then 1 hour to get windows operative.
I delete the partition completely and I rebuilt the Bootcamp partition
Luckily I had previosly backed up all the Bootcamp Partition with WinClone.
I waited more then 40 minutes to get windows start and then later as soon as I entered the password the HD was running fast and never stopped!
I can't think it is normal wait more then 1 hour to get windows operative.
I delete the partition completely and I rebuilt the Bootcamp partition
This is NOT true-I have a retail box version of XP (non-corporate) which started at service pack 1-I have since slipstreamed SP-2 and later SP-3.
I use both Bootcamp and Parallels v. 3.0 and I only had to reactivate windows ONCE-when I installed Parallels. From that point on, Windows has never asked me for activation.
If you need to reactivate Windows in Parallels then all you have to do is call up Microsoft and explain why to reactivate if you have an OEM or one time only activation code. Not a problem.
I'm not sure about Parallels 4. I have tried to install it twice now on my new MBP. The first time it ruined XP on Bootcamp and I had to uninstall everything. The second time I was just unable to work out quite what I was supposed to do. I know it is supposed to be easy right? The worst thing is that stupid demo video they have which doesn't explain much, but just tries to sell you it, after you have already bought it. Very annoying. In the end I downgraded to Parallels 3. I'm very happy with Parallels 3, I also use it on my other Mac. I'm certainly never installing version 4 again. Not on my own anyway.
I'm not sure about Parallels 4. I have tried to install it twice now on my new MBP. The first time it ruined XP on Bootcamp and I had to uninstall everything. The second time I was just unable to work out quite what I was supposed to do. I know it is supposed to be easy right? The worst thing is that stupid demo video they have which doesn't explain much, but just tries to sell you it, after you have already bought it. Very annoying. In the end I downgraded to Parallels 3. I'm very happy with Parallels 3, I also use it on my other Mac. I'm certainly never installing version 4 again. Not on my own anyway.
You actually don't have to explain to anyone-the number that Windows gives you for re-activation is a computerized system. The computer makes you "swear" that you are only using XP on a single computer at a time (which I am-I traded in my old WinClone for a Mac Mini) and then it gives you an activation code. I think it asks twice and that is it. In theory, there are no other checks, so I suppose you could lie about the whole thing