parallels desktop and boot camp problem

[~McLovin~]

when i go to start parallels desktop on my macbook i get an error message: the application parallel desktop quit unexpectedly. ive uninstalled and then installed over again and still get the same thing. i also tried using boot camp and tried to install windows xp but the installation setup keeps repeating over and over again. i think i am supposed to eject the cd at the end of the istallation setup and press any key but when i try to eject it wont come out so i press the key anyway and it goes back to step one. help anyone...

[PN]

I decided to go with Apple's Boot Camp instead of Parallels. My partition was 120 GB so I went with NTFS instead of FAT32. I would suggest that you do a Google (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1656) search on how to install Windows using Apple's Boot Camp or check out YouTube.

YrmWa9-exwY

[~McLovin~]

am i able to re-partition my windows drive to increase my disk space? or is the 1st partition your permanent disk space?

[PN]

It is my understanding that you can change the size of the partition. Take a look at Apple Discussions (http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=237) and do a search for "increasing partition size." I recommend backing up your files and folders before changing the size. Apple just released 10.5.3 update for Leopard.

[~McLovin~]

is there some way i can access files from my mac on windows? like setting up a shared folder as you do in parallels desktop? or do i have to do everything manually-(store in usb then drag file into windows) i partitioned my drive by 10gb on fat32

[Wise Young]

I stopped using Windows on my Mac and therefore cannot comment specifically on the problem. However, the fact that the problem occurs with the installer tells me that you have a general disk problem and not a problem with Windows.

The way (and I believe that it is the best and safest way) that I deal with problems of this nature is to purchase the following two programs: Disk Warrior and Super Duper. I consider these two programs (or their equivalents) to be absolute necessities for anybody who uses a Mac on a regular basis.

Disk Warrier fixes errors in your directory. Super Duper creates a bootable drive that exacty mirrors your hard drive. This is the best backup. The combination of the software and a 250 Gb backup hard drive should cost less than $120. I do the following.

1. I first use Super Duper to make a copy of the hard drive onto the external drive. If I have a previous copy, Super Duper does a fast backup by copying only those files that have changed.

2. I then book up on the external drive. You do this by holding the option key down after you restart your computer. It will give a choice of hard drives to boot from. Choose the external drive.

3. I then use Disk Warrior to repair the directory of the original hard drive. This should fix 99% of problems with your hard drive. If Disk Warrior cannot fix the problem, it usually means a hard drive problem but you have a copy.

4. Once you have copy of your original hard drive, you can now do things to your hard drive without fear of losing data. You can take your computer to the repair shop and get it repaired. You can repartition it, etc.

Wise.

Wise.

[~McLovin~]

windows is working fine on my mac now. but my question is if its possible to repartition my windows drive without losing data on that drive? like say to increase from 10gb to say 20gb?

[PN]

windows is working fine on my mac now. but my question is if its possible to repartition my windows drive without losing data on that drive? like say to increase from 10gb to say 20gb?
I have been told by Apple that you should be able to increase or decrease the size of the partition. Therefore, you should be able to increase the size from 10 GB to 20 GB. However, they are not going to guarantee that everything will work perfectly and you will not lose any data. Welcome to the bleeding edge.

[~McLovin~]

is there some way i can access files from my mac on windows? like setting up a shared folder as you do in parallels desktop? or do i have to do everything manually-(store in usb then drag file into windows) i partitioned my drive by 10gb on fat32

[~McLovin~]

I have been told by Apple that you should be able to increase or decrease the size of the partition. Therefore, you should be able to increase the size from 10 GB to 20 GB. However, they are not going to guarantee that everything will work perfectly and you will not lose any data. Welcome to the bleeding edge.

so how do i do that? you have a link?

[PN]

Apple told me over the phone (yesterday) that it could be done using the slider. Reading in the Apple support forums, I am starting to think that it may not be that easy. If I have time, I will call Apple tomorrow to verify what I was told on Saturday.

[PN]

Go to "Utilities"
Open "Disk Utility"
Click on the top "Hard Drive"
Click on "Partition"
From there you can resize by clicking on the three lines at the botton right hand corner of the MacIntosh HD.

A word of caution: Apple does state that you can lose all of your data on both Windows and Leopard when you change the size of the Partition.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm114/ssuusc/Picture1.png

[~McLovin~]

your a legend PN..but one more question am i able to access my files from my mac on windows or am i able to set up some kind of shared folder like you do in parallels desktop? thanks heaps

[PN]

I am not using Parallels. I think the Mac OS X can access files within the Parallels virtual partition. I has been exporting files from my Windows machine to my Mac using a USB flash drive. This article (http://lifehacker.com/software/mac-os-x/how-to-access-a-macs-files-on-your-pc-247541.php) explains how to access files/share between your Mac and PC, on your home network.

[Bondo]

ALWAYS back up your data before doing something like changing the partitioning of your hard drive.

Usually, it is just fine. Every once in a while.......