I've used both Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion since the day that they were first released, but some time ago I settled on Fusion as the more satisfactory of the two for my purposes. However, VMware has seriously fallen down on the job with the last few versions, and indications are that Parallels has pulled ahead, so I am seriously considering converting to Parallels Desktop 5. However, before I do this, I need to know whether or not this will require reactivation of my Windows XP Home OEM VM. If reactivation is not required, then it's a no-brainer. However, if it is, then I definitely don't want to do it. Is there anyone else who has done this who can give me some information about this process?
There will be a problem Fusion 3 isn't listed as a convertable OS in the system requirements (they stop at Fusion 2) and after dozens of attempts to convert a fusion 3 vm it won't work and requires activation. (No mouse or keyboard and stuck at the "This machine requires activation" prompt).
Activation will probably be required While your mileage may vary I've always had to reactivate when first converting a non-parallels machine (since the hardware will always look sufficiently different from the original). Reactivation is actually easy and when you make copies of those reactivated parallels VMs you shouldn't have to reactivate those copies. I've tried repeatedly to import my fusion 3.01 XP sp3 VMs into parallels without success. The disk is converted quickly (it makes a copy so your fusion VM will be untouched just in case) and the new parallel VM boots very nicely but then it stops at the activation screen and the keyboard and mouse don't respond. Also the VM doesn't show up on the network so I can't try remote desktop as a choice. But others seem to have had success. Just try the free trial and see what your results are. Best of luck.
I have the same question about XP and Win 7 images, do they need MS reactivation ? If they do then It's VMware for me as much as I wish that weren't the case. Also in the switch what happens to vmware tools that's installed on these images ? TIA, Peter
