Screen flicker and Parallels (lack of) support

Parallels Desktop for Mac always worked great on my Macbook Pro (June 2006 model) until I had a hard drive failure in September. When I got the new hard drive it had 10.4.11 on it. I reinstalled Parallels and brought it up to date, now running 5160. I used a backup HDD from an earlier version (September 2006) and experienced the screen flicker as described in:

http://forum.parallels.com/showthread.php?t=21228&highlight=screen+flicker
http://forum.parallels.com/showthread.php?t=21536&highlight=screen+flicker
http://forum.parallels.com/showthread.php?t=18611&highlight=screen+flicker

I have followed KB article 4790 numerous times, reinstalled Parallels tools numerous times, and followed the suggestions in these threads for changing Windows display settings numerous times, without success. As I mentioned, I now have 5160 and still have the problem. Just to make sure it wasn't the older HDD that was causing the problem, I reinstalled XP. Still have the problem.

 

Hello mculver,

Please note that the latest build of Parallels Desktop 3.0 is 5626, but not 5160. Please, clarify what build you have installed? You can find this info in the top menu Parallels Desktop > About Parallels Desktop.
If you have an old build, please download and install 5626:

http://download.parallels.com/v3/en/GA/Parallels-Desktop-5626-Mac-en.dmg

 

My apologies, I shouldn't have done that from memory. I do have build 5626 installed.

 

Hello, mculver,

Please, disable hardware acceleration in virtual machine:
1) If the virtual machine is started, please shut it down.
2) A summary screen will appear, stating "Microsoft Windows ... - stopped". If it does not appear, then press and hold the Apple key and start your virtual machine while holding it.
3) After the screen appears, choose Edit from the upper menu and choose "Virtual Machine". A Configuration Editor screen will appear.
4) Select Options -> Advanced and switch Acceleration level to Disabled

 

The hardware acceleration was set to high. I tried both disabled and normal, but the problem remains. I've also experimented with increasing video memory to 64MB from the default 16 and back again, but no joy.

 

Hi, mculver

there was a build - 5608 we usually recommended for various video issues:

http://download.parallels.com/v3/en/GA/Parallels-Desktop-5608-Mac-en.dmg

Please, use knowledgebase article 4790 again and install the build from the link above.