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    Setting up Parallels and ext. HD for new user

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by fastball25, Aug 20, 2007.

  1. fastball25

    fastball25 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just received a new MBP and I have a question about the best way of setting up my new machine. I would like to be able to run Windows XP while in the Mac OS. So, I planned on using Parallels. Do I have to partition the hard drive prior to loading Parallels and XP? Also, does it matter what format the hard drive is, if I do/don't partition?

    Finally, this is my first adventure into Mac world. I currently have a desktop and we do a lot with photos and mp3 files. I bought a new external hard drive for the MBP, but I plan on using is wirelessly via airport extreme. Any recommendations on what format to use on the hard drive? I think there may be a need to be able to use files on both machines and the different formats have confused me, can someone please give me some advice on which would be the best way to go. Thanks!
     
    fastball25, Aug 20, 2007
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  2. dbam987

    dbam987 wicked-poster

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    You have two options when working with virtual machines.

    The more beneficial method is to use Boot Camp to create a real partition on your hard disk to install Windows on. Parallels can actually virtualize the Boot Camp partition and run Windows alongside Mac OSX (I do this often now). You get the best of both worlds this way, in allowing you to not have to reboot just to get to the Windows partition, or if you want to be solely in Windows you could boot straight into it without loading Mac OSX.

    The other option is to have Parallels create a disk image file that represents the virtual machine's hard drive. The advantage of this method is that you could simply copy the drive image file from one location to another and it would still work. The first option does not allow this. Also, you can create "snapshots" of your virtual disk image file to act as restore points. The boot camp partition method does not allow this either.
     
    dbam987, Aug 20, 2007
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  3. KelchM

    KelchM Notebook Evangelist

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    FYI, I tested both parallels and VMware fusion. VMware Fusion seems to work better, atleast for me.

    They both have trials, so use both before you pay up.
     
    KelchM, Aug 20, 2007
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  4. bmhubler

    bmhubler Newbie

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    I just got a macbook pro and it is the first mac computer i have ever owned. I have had it for only 3 days but really want to get windows on it. How do i do that?
     
    bmhubler, Aug 21, 2007
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  5. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    There are several ways, bmhubler. The sticky Running Windows on a Mac will give you some more info on it.
     
    Sam, Aug 21, 2007
    #5