Hello, I installed windows using parallels, and now I discovered I need some of the benefits of bootcamp. I would prefer to be able to convert/move the parallels image to a harddrive partition, anyone know if this is possible? Thanks -Johan
I'm interested in the exact same thing. I'd like to move to using only my Bootcamp partition for Parallels, but the though of redoing all the setup work on my Bootcamp partition that I've already done on my virtual Parallels drive is not appealing...
I have not personally done this, but you "should" be able to do something like this: 1. Get disk imaging tool like Ghost or Acronis Disk Image 2. Remove all parallel's tools from your VM 3. In your VM make an image of your windows install 4. Install Bootcamp and Windows (don't activate, you going to blast it) 5. Use disk image tool to restore image on top of bootcamp partition 6. Configure Parallels to use new boot camp partition Perhaps someone else has actually tried and can tell you of any pitfalls.
moving a Parallels VM to Bootcamp Just curious.. would using Ghost work? I do not have a current version. I would think with the last few versions you could move a copy to an external hard drive. Once that is completed move it to the partition where BootCamp is. Has anybody tried this? or willing to? Thanks Hans
In this thread: http://forum.parallels.com/thread8665.html ...someone says they've done it with another disk imaging solution, but with some boot.ini issues... As you say VTMac, I'd love to hear of anyone that's tried it with Acronis (which is what I have), before I spend the time on this (and blow away my existing Bootcamp install)....
You cannot do it from your BootCamp partition since it will require you to boot with the provided recovery CD - which will not work with BootCamp, both Ghost and Paragon XAct Image failed. But I think it is possible from a Parallels virtual with an active BootCamp partition. Yes, boot.ini must reference to partition 3, not 1 (given that you have exactly 2). It is a bit weird - Mac OS has a hybrid GPT/MBR configuration and inserts placeholder partitions to protect its GPT.
Ghost would *not* work. It wants you to boot from an emergency CD which does not work. BootCamp seems to support the simple XP cd only for booting. You can use Ghost if you mount the BC partition to a virtual and do it in Parallels. But then you have some issues with boot.ini.
Christian, thank you very much for your input. For some of us less sophisticated users, can you give us a step by step approach that you know works? Thanks!!!
I did it I did this and posted a guide once the feature was first available. See the following: http://forum.parallels.com/thread6433.html Please note that personally, I have reverted to just using a non-boot camp VM due to stability problems all around. Once Parallels built in a feature to avoid reactivation, it broke my volume license install. i got it working again, but I really need my VM to a bit more reliable. So, it can be done, but only do this with with a copy of your VM. Best of luck.
THANK YOU!!!!!! I just tried and failed miserably with Acronis, so your step by step instructions are greatly appreciated. I agree with the commenters on the thread you originally posted on, it should be made a sticky!
Acronis Yesh, I originally tried Acronis as well. Although it is a great product, it does not support the GPT Partitions created by Intel Macs. I was very pleased to find DriveImage XML does. It took me 5 days to get to a working conversion. I hope it goes well.
I wonder if I could twist your arm a bit more to walk people through the Bart PE steps to make the disk? I've not used that app before, and it's not immediately intuitive as to how to do step 2 in your guide... You'll save me slogging through the Bart manual! Thanks again...
