Does Parallels have a running process when not being used?

As per activity monitor..

Just wondered, because I know a lot of Windows programs like to leave pieces of themselves running at all times even if you have quit the application.

 

Ok, im going to assume you mean when the guest is running like windows XP under parallels and you are not activily using it, I run the dash board widget called iStatNano it show that i am using between 5.9% - 6.5% cpu, ok i just fired up Fedora linux at the same time as i have XP in another guest and i saw a spike of cpu to 9% but now it is hovering around between 6 and 8%.

If i stop the guess and have just the guest config screen up, it drops a little, and of course if i exit parallels completely, I see no parallels processes

Hope that answers you question

 

Parallels installs a kernal extension, so unless you uninstall it, part of it is always running.

 

Thanks for the info.. so because I don't know these things, if one uninstalls the application by dragging the program out of the applications folder, does the kernel extension travel with it too, or is there a separate process involved?

 

You need to run the uninstaller to get rid of the kernal extension.

 

And the uninstaller that VTMac speaks of can be found on the disc image with all of the more recent versions (beta and GA) of the Parallels installer.

If I remember correctly, it asks you to restart after uninstalling; this is because the uninstaller erases the kernel extension from your hard disk, but it is still running in your system until you restart.


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Also, I just thought I would point something out, because there have been so much discussion lately on other threads (NOT this thread) regarding User's Requests/Demands vs. Parallels Responsiveness. A few months back (before GA release) there was LOTS of complaining about Parallels installing kernel extensions and not providing an accompanying uninstaller. Then there was further complaining about Parallels not responding to these initial complaints. Well, in hindsight, it looks like they weren't responding because they were busy building an uninstaller and actually addressing the problem in their software rather than addressing their user forum. My point is, some people are so quick to judge Parallels based on their forum presence rather than their product performance, but Parallels proves again and again that one must be patient and they will eventually come through. I'm sure this will prove to be the case with USB2, Graphics accelleration, etc., all of which they have promised they are working on. Personally, I am glad that they are actually working on it rather than spending all their time replying to the forum.
[\end rant]