Problems after install

Hi everyone, I am brand new to Mac and need to run windows programs on my new iMac. I purchased and installed Parallels 3.0 and windows XP (I have a brand new iMac with Tiger OX), and I am having issues trying to get to use windows.

When I click on the parallels icon, I get a black screen that comes up and it says
'Boot from hard drive' and then it just sits there doing nothing.

I have tried clicking on the arrow that says 'start virtual machine' but nothing happens. I have uninstalled and reinstalled both windows and parallels, but keep coming back to this same black screen. I really would appreciate any insight as I am going crazy trying to figure this out.
Thank you in advance for any help.

 

We'll need some more info...

Here's a link: http://forums.parallels.com/showthread.php?t=16741

Here's an analogy of what you did:
You are throwing up, you call the doctor and said you were eating today, now you are throwing up and you want him to fix it.

Chances are, if the person wasn't an epitome of courteousness he would burst out laughing.

 

While I appreciate your reply Eru, I find it a little rude.

As I explained, I am totally new to mac sytems and I find it a little annoying that upon buying software that says you just install it and windows (which I did) that it does not work as advertised. The fact that I need to troubleshoot something brand new (not even a week old) is very frustrating, and i just wanted a little advice.

I was under the impression (wrongly it seems) that you installed parallels (which I did) then windows (which I did) and the thing would run - I wasn't aware that i needed to do a bunch of other stuff to try and get a program to work as advertised.

I did try calling support and there was no answer, so this forum was my last resort after spending hours trying to get the thing to work properly. I have not even used my iMac yet, it is so new, so all the other suggestions in your linked thread about other stuff that I may or may not have done does not apply.

Again, thanks for your response, and please remember that everyone had to start somewhere and may not be as knowledgeable with all this stuff as you.

 

problems with parallels

Hi Catherine 13,

i have a 13" MacBook, and purchased Parallels Desktop last May or June...
after reading the User's manual and having questions re: Windows XP (the manual said an OEM would NOT work), i found this forum. After spending days reading the various posts and actually posting questions myself... i decided to put off installing Parallels (build 3188 at the time). How could i not, reading all the nightmarish problems people were experiencing?!

now after a few months, i decided to give it a try... so i came back to the forum only to find there are still problems with it! I have a PC (Fujitsu) and a couple of Macs, so i can get by without being able to use both OS on the same laptop... but it sure would be nice!

i think i'll just wait until Leopard comes out... i hope someone can help you with this.
(my Macbook is working well and i don't dare screw it up...)

i was hoping 3.0 would have solved all the problems i read about with build 3188. Let me know it turns out for you...

blue skies,

 

Catherine13,
Oh yes, I know everyone starts somewhere, from age 11 the only time someone actually taught me something about computers was how DNS A and MX records works when I got my first server. I buy every one of my computer books with my own hard-earned money. I find articles and study them. I peruse forums, mailing lists, etc.

If you want help tell us more information, like I requested. I even gave a DIRECT link to the STICKY thread. While I don't mind helping people, the whole reason I wrote that long and involved article, you gotta help yourself. Think of the well-known ancient Greek story of Hercules and the Potter.

Anyways. I've never had an issue doing a quick install, or a custom install. Usually it does work, I know people who drop a few hundred images in place without a hitch. Yes, there are some bugs, and it seems you are experience them, so let US try and get this straightened out. No, I am not denying the fact that there are bugs, I had an issue on a server of mine, but with the help of the developers at Parallels it is all running again.

Let me know when you want get moving by giving the information asked for. Three times now. Once by logging onto the forum and seeing a sticky at the top called 'Requesting Help', two by my first request, three by this request.

 

I actually uninstalled parallels after asking for help elsewhere and discovering that this seems to be a common issue.

I had scoured the web looking for answers before I posted here asking for help and no issue was the same as I was experiencing.

On the advice of someone else, I downloaded and installed a different program (I won't mention it by name here as this is a Parallels forum), which installed perfectly and I am now happily running windows and my pc based software without hassle (in just a few hours, I might add. I spent way more time than that messing with Parallels and trying to find answers).

The other software went through the process in the very way I had hoped Parallels would, but did not. I personally do not have time to try and figure out what may have been wrong with something that should just run as intended.

I am not saying Parallels is not a good piece of software, but for me in this instance it was a total waste of $80. I am just happy and thankful that there was an alternative and for the help offered by people out there. Thank you to each of you for your advice and I hope parallels continues to work for those of you who are using it.

 

So basically, you have no desire in getting an answer and you just want to rant. Trust me, I understand the concept of no time, I have more than full-time work and a literal credit overload.

I see. Perhaps you shouldn't post on support forums if you don't want support.

No, you aren't going to find people with the verifiably same issue UNLESS you give us information. I guess you don't understand the concept of a support forum, go read a guide on netiquette, and if you give another answer of "I don't have time.", maybe you don't have time for the internet, and thus shouldn't be on it.