Does Parallels use both processors on duo cores or just one? having a problem.

im not too familiar with how parallels works, but i was under the assumption that if you have a duo core processor (Mac Pro), you will be able to use both processors when running high intensive motion graphics software like After Effects on your Parralles VM using XP. I was trying to install a plug in called Nucleo Gridiron that utilizes Duo Core machins for faster rendering and ram previews. However, when i installed it in After Effects on parrallels using XP, it said only one cpu was available and needed two processors to be working properly. is Parallels only restricted to using one processor or is there a setting that i missed that would enable both processors to be used?

help greatly appreciated. thank you!

 

Parallels (running as an OSX application) runs on one core. Your virtual machine (Windows XP) runs on the other core.

 

Essentially the answer is no, if you want multi-processor performance, you need to use boot camp.

 

thank you very much for your replys. now i know what i need to do if i want to take advantage of my duo core computer. however, i understand that you need sp2 version of xp to run bootcamp and i only have a sp1 version. can i get a upgrade version of sp2 from microsoft or should i wait for vista to come out for bootcamp? also, will parallels be able to use both processors anytime soon in the near future or is that impossible because of the way its run?

 

There is a Windows application that will take your XP with SP1 CD and the full SP2 upgrade file (download from Microsoft) and combine them to create an XP with SP2 CD. Google for "slipstream" should find it. Alternately an XP with SP2 CD that is of the same class as your current CD can be used. By class I mean OEM or Retail versions of XP. This is perfectly legal. You paid for the installation key for the license. All CDs for the same class are identical. Note that there are many different OEM CDs because they are customized by the computer manufacturer. All Retail CDs should be the same if they are for the same version (Home or PRO).