Multiple VMs, GPU swapping, crashes

I have recently started to have screen freezes, black screens, crashes and the like, associated with use of Parallels. If I use gfxCardStatus to force only the integrated graphics then I can operate normal, but of course performance sucks. I also am noticing that it seems to only occur when I have two VMs running at once. I have 16GB of RAM on the MBP, and I only give 4GB to one VM, and 2 to the other, so that isn't it. However, anyone seen any issues with two VMs causing grief sharing the GPU, especially associated with GPU swapping? I have a genius bar appointment today, but if I can get some verification that this is a Parallels problem, and a fix is coming, then I won't go across town to look into hardware explanations.

Thanks!
Gordon

 

Hello Gordon,

If you run two or more Virtual Machines at a time, it will slow down the performance of your Mac.

Follow the steps as suggested at: http://kb.parallels.com/115645 to tune the virtual machine for best performance.

If Windows isn't working as speedily as you'd like, there are several simple ways you can optimize its performance.

You can find some tips to find out how you can tune Windows for speed: http://download.parallels.com/desktop/v9/ga/docs/en_US/Parallels Desktop User's Guide/

 

Marvin, this isn't a performance issue, but rather a stability issue. The entire Mac will crash, frozen, black screen, blue & black screen, torn split screen, all sorts of different crash modes. But the common theme is Parallels is running. When things aren't crashing, it works like a charm for my needs.

Thanks!
Gordon

 

Hello Gordon,

Please generate a Problem Report ID as suggested at http://kb.parallels.com/9058 and reply us back with the Problem Report ID number so that it will be useful for us to investigate on this issue.