How 2 move || VM from one iMac to another?

Moving Parallels Win XP to another iMac

I just got a new 24" Alum iMac and want to bring my working Parallels-based Win XP installation to the new machine. How do I accomplish that? I used the migration assistant, but it did not migrate the the Win install, and the Parallels installation that did migrate did not work, so I had to reinstall.

Any tips much appreciated.

fbx

 

I've upgraded my computer and now I want to move my Win XP Parallels to the new machine.

I thought Transporter would do this, but it doesn't seem to. Also can't seem to just copy the Win XP install from the old iMac to the new one.

Surely there's a simple way to accomplish this, yes?

 

Hello,

You can copy your VM's hard disc image (.hdd file) from the Parallels folder to the new Mac. Your virtual machine files are usually located in your Home folder/ Documents/ Parallels/ VM folder but you can use spotlight to search the .hdd.
Then on the new iMac you install Parallels, create a bew VM using existing .hdd and choose a path to it.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

Hi Alicia,

Just read this reply to the topic and wanted to be clear about it as I have a new machine arriving and want the most painfree transfer of my Parallels Windows XP software from my Intel Mac Mini to the new Intel Macbook Pro.

Am I right in saying that by copying the .hdd file to the correct location on the new machine following a fresh installation of Parallels on the new machine, the virtual machine on the new mac will be exactly the same as the current setup (including all software and disk partitioning - I used Acronis Disk Director to create a second partition to fill up the space that had been allocated but not used by XP).

I'm almost worried this sounds too simple!?

Your help and advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Hello,

yes, it is a normal way. You may copy a .pvs file as well. Thus, if .pvs and .hdd files are in the same directory, the VM most probably will "see" the .hdd itself. If you don't have your .pvs, then, you will have to set a path to the .hdd file.

You can try this when your new computer arrives.

 

ok - sounds good. On the Mac forum someone has suggested that as my .hdd files etc. are on the native home directory of the Mac Mini, that 'Migration Assistant' should succeed in managing all the transferring and I will not need to do any manual copying. Do you think it is a safer more reliable method to reinstall Parallels on the new machine and copy the files you mention, or should 'migration assistant' do the job just as well?

thanks

 

I think these methods are equal from the safety point of view
You can run a migration assistant and have a backup copy of .hdd just in case.

 

wow! seamless transition from old machine to new - started up parallels and everything as was. great stuff.

one further question is that in Mac OS I am using the Macbook Pro 15" screen along side the Apple cinema HD 23" as a multiple screen arrangement.

I am not able to do this with the guest windows XP. Not a major problem really, as I can see whatever is in the Mac OS on the 15" screen which is excellent when switching between OS's, however would be good to be able to use multiple screens in XP as well.

advice again is greatly appreciated.