The most unstable MAC app I've ever used

F

fairfact

Bit poster
I bought the retail pkg of Parallels last September and it seemed to work fine, However, with each successive upgrade, the program gets flakier and flakier. Messages like the "OS is already in use", etc, etc. It's always something with this app. Now, using the latest build, the program starts to load OK, but as soon as it attempts to go 'full screen' the image becomes garbled like bad TV reception. I've reloaded the program several times. It occasionally works, then returns to its wayward ways. In my opinion, the program is so unstable that it is useless. Never had these problems with Virtual PC...., but, of course, it was V-E-R-Y slow. I'm ready to ditch Parallels and give VM Ware a shot.

BTW: iMAC 24 with 2 meg RAM
 
fairfact said:
I bought the retail pkg of Parallels last September and it seemed to work fine, However, with each successive upgrade, the program gets flakier and flakier. Messages like the "OS is already in use", etc, etc. It's always something with this app. Now, using the latest build, the program starts to load OK, but as soon as it attempts to go 'full screen' the image becomes garbled like bad TV reception. I've reloaded the program several times. It occasionally works, then returns to its wayward ways. In my opinion, the program is so unstable that it is useless. Never had these problems with Virtual PC...., but, of course, it was V-E-R-Y slow. I'm ready to ditch Parallels and give VM Ware a shot.

BTW: iMAC 24 with 2 meg RAM
Click to expand...

They are not upgrades. Don't ever think they are upgrades! They are beta releases for the next version. If anything they are downgrades but with new features (which are likely broken). When you begin thinking that betas are upgrades you set yourself up for disappointment and that's obviously happened.

Fusion works well here but it too is beta and it is far from perfect. You will likely be as disappointed with it.
 
fairfact said:
BTW: iMAC 24 with 2 meg RAM
Click to expand...

Think I found your problem. ;)

BTW, that last "retail" i.e. NON-beta build is 1970. If you want a solid build (and a supported build) that is what you should be running.
 
I agree that I should not have used the term 'upgrades'. However, I still stand by my comment. If these 'betas' are fault-riddled "downgrades' why would the developer request all users pf the packaged version to "please upgrade" (the company's term) to Parallels Build 1970 as they did on Jan 4. I admit that I'm an early adaptor and tend to download all the updates. Also, please note that I am not trying to do anything exotic with Parallels. I'm not interested in connecting USB devices, or PDAs, etc., etc. I have Windows XP installed along with Office XP...all I want to do is visit some Web sites with Windows IE or occasionally use MS Access. Before I ditch the program, I may go back and re-load my original retail CD. Don't get me wrong, when Parallels works it's great. But, at least in my experience, too often, it simply does not work reliably or consistently to make it a viable and valuable program.
 
fairfact said:
I agree that I should not have used the term 'upgrades'. However, I still stand by my comment. If these 'betas' are fault-riddled "downgrades' why would the developer request all users pf the packaged version to "please upgrade" (the company's term) to Parallels Build 1970 as they did on Jan 4.
Click to expand...

So did you upgrade to 1970 (this thread) or 3120 (this thread which clearly says BETA)?

If you are running 1970, then yes you should be getting stable performance. I found 1970 to be quite stable. I wanted Coherence mode, and for that I need to run the betas. They are not stable, but I can't go back to running XP in a separate window.
 
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fairfact said:
I agree that I should not have used the term 'upgrades'. However, I still stand by my comment. If these 'betas' are fault-riddled "downgrades' why would the developer request all users pf the packaged version to "please upgrade" (the company's term) to Parallels Build 1970 as they did on Jan 4. I admit that I'm an early adaptor and tend to download all the updates. Also, please note that I am not trying to do anything exotic with Parallels. I'm not interested in connecting USB devices, or PDAs, etc., etc. I have Windows XP installed along with Office XP...all I want to do is visit some Web sites with Windows IE or occasionally use MS Access. Before I ditch the program, I may go back and re-load my original retail CD. Don't get me wrong, when Parallels works it's great. But, at least in my experience, too often, it simply does not work reliably or consistently to make it a viable and valuable program.
Click to expand...

I've argued for a good while that the Beta activity needs to be partitioned away from the released code support, and that the interspersing of beta, release candidates, and production code have created chaos for many end users. Their own home page adds to the hell with this announcement:
"New! Updated with the great new features! Update RC is now available."

If that isn't an invitation to disaster, what is? Each day that passes reinforces the notion that there is no end in sight for the chaos this creates. You'd be surprised at how much crap I get for pointing out this problem.
 
dkp said:
I've argued for a good while that the Beta activity needs to be partitioned away from the released code support, and that the interspersing of beta, release candidates, and production code have created chaos for many end users. Their own home page adds to the hell with this announcement:
"New! Updated with the great new features! Update RC is now available."

If that isn't an invitation to disaster, what is? Each day that passes reinforces the notion that there is no end in sight for the chaos this creates. You'd be surprised at how much crap I get for pointing out this problem.
Click to expand...
I agree with you. And while I'm at it, I think the "How to" forum should be closed at the same time the technical forum is split. there should also be a sticky "How To" detailing how to get answers without being disruptive.

In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice, but in practice, there is.
 
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