10 (newbie) Parallels questions

re: Intel Mini, 1GB RAM, 10.4.8

Seems a bunch of folks use Parallels and it might work for me as there is ONE WinXP program I want to run.

1. I've read all the docs and FAQ on the http://www.parallels.com/en/support/documentation/ site. For the life of me I don't see IF you can install XP to a 2nd HD (which I've not bought yet). Can this be done? I probably don't have enough disk space for it on the internal Mini HD. Don't know.

2. Assuming I got rid of some large files, approx. how much disk space is required for an install of WindowsXP? Is XP installed in one directory so I can easily trash it, or will it be a PITA to get rid of?

3. It says you MUST install Parallels on the internal HD. It takes about 50 MB. Does it do anything to the kernel or make any other changes that might bite me in the bottom at next Apple upgrade (10.8.5...,6,7 etc.)?

4. Can anyone recommend a firewire HD that I can put on a table about 3 or 4 feet away (where I have router and modem... no room on desk!)? Or do these things have to be right next to or on top of the Mini (stack)?

5, I want to use the CRM software for GoLeads (https://www.goleads.com/SingleUserHome.asp). The utility application decrypts their data lets you read their database and only runs on XP. Does anyone use the $9.98/month subscription of GoLeads with Parallels? I sort of doubt it but thought I'd ask. If I can run it I won't have to buy a PC which will save major dollars, obviously.

6. Can you drag a file downloaded on OS-X to the XP 'side'? (not a big deal, just curious to see if you can write to NTFS)

7. Will IE 6 work on the XP side? (deal breaker!)

8. Will my cordless Bluetooth Mighty Mouse work OK with XP?

9. (Subjective questions, opinion requested) Is Parallels a better/easier/less-risky/less intrusive solution than Boot Camp to run just ONE Windows application?

10. Is Parallels beta? Is this safe to run?

I know this is a lot but I don't know where to turn for answers.

Thanks,
Al

 

1) You must install the Parallels app on your boot disk, but the VM can be anywhere including an external disk.

2) Required space depends on your apps and data space requirements. XP itself is a couple of gig plus space for a swap file (and your apps and data). Four to eight gig should do it for most folks unless there is lots of data. The entire virtual hard disk is one file on the host file system, so deleting the VM can be done by deleting one folder (2 files). The virtual hard disk file grows as required to hold whatever you put on it, up to a preset limit you specify when you create it. Specifying about 15 gig should hold you unless your Windows usage grows way beyond your currently expressed requirements. It won't actually take up that much space unless you add that much stuff.

3) How a virtual machine using VT-X can be installed without a kernel extension for the hypervisor is beyond me. Of course it installs kernel modules. If an Apple update breaks it, you can always uninstall it (after you restore a backup, of course. And if you aren't making backups, you're driving with neither seat belt nor spare tire -- possible but, IMNSHO, foolish).

4) A firewire device can be as far away as the cable will reach. Four foot FW cables are available. Longer ones might be -- too lazy to measure mine.

5) No clue.

6) Yes, while the VM is running. No, OSX will not write to NTFS, but with the latest beta, drag and drop works. Since both the host and guest are on the local network, you can mount shared folders in either machine and move files that way. You can't access the VM disk without having the VM running anyway, so the ability of OSX to write NTFS is irrelevant.

7) No reason why not.

8) Usually. If push comes to shove, eight bucks for a wired wheel mouse will solve the problem.

9) Subjective answer: I use both, for different purposes.

10) There is a shipping release and a beta. I'm running Parallels (shipping version) and will probably try out the beta next week. Safe depends on your definition of safe. Your machine won't catch fire, and OSX corruption is unlikely. You can protect your VM from corruption by making regular backups (which involve copying one file).

Hope that helps.

 

Answers:
1. Yes, I have a miniStack and have XP an Vista running off it
2. Parallels uses 1 file (ext. .hdd) that acts as the virtual Hard Drive, the Guest OS uses that file and partitions it and sets up file structure in it. the default size is 8gig for HD.
3. Yes, there is an uninstall, but I've been with them for many a build and they are on top of it
4. i use the miniStack at mine has a 360gig HD
5. I don't use that but it should be a problem
6. I have my XP drives set to NTFS, with the new Beta 3036 you can drag and drop in coeherence mode. In pervious build you had a shared folder
7. Yes, and IE 7, sorry but this is a duh because IE is XP. ok so they did a scab to be able to supposedly remove it. but Explorer is based on it.
8. Don't have, but have friend that usese one and havent heard issue.
9. IMHO better and easier, you can access both at same time without reboot
10. yes, Im running it now.

One recomendation: up your memory to 2gig, you can run with 1 gig don't get me wrong but you will have less spinning colored disks ;-)

Hope this helps