Parallels Workstation 2.1 for Mac OS X Beta6 is ready for download!

[Andrew @ Parallels]

Parallels is proud to release the Beta6 version of Parallels Workstation 2.1 for Mac OS X!

Improvements and Fixes in Beta6:

* USB fixes (more devices supported: PDA, scanner, etc.)
* Shared Folders fixes (added support for guest Windows 2000)
* Network improvements: host-only networking
* Custom video resolutions support added
* Image Tool introduced
* Autoupdate introduced
* Kernel panic in virtual memory manager fixed
* Shutdown in fullscreen mode hang fixed
* Virtual disk sync() problem with Linux guests fixed

There are following known issues in Beta6:

* Some USB devices still may not work
* Network doesn't work in Linux guests if bridged to WiFi
* Resume doesn't work correctly if suspend was made while playing audio inside guest
* Fullscreen may not work for some custom resolutions

NOTE TO CURRENT BETA TESTERS: There's a new and improved Parallels Tools package in Beta5 too. To update, open your VM, log in, click the "VM" menu, and click "Install Parallels Tools".

Download Parallels Workstation 2.1 Build 1812.5 for Mac OS X now! (http://www.parallels.com/en/download/mac/)

[skyking]

I installed beta 6 and even though my "about Parallels" indicates that I have beta 6, it is acting like beta 1 or 2. I am having trouble starting the VM, and when it does start I can't connect to the internet and I have to use the control/alt key combination to move the cursor outside the VM window. Also, the controls are back on the right side of the machine.

Larry Lane

[skapplin]

Networking stopped working after upgrading to Beta 6. It was working just fine with Beta 5. After installing Beta 6 the network connection in XP now shows no valid IP address despite several attempts to redo the network setup via the setup wizard.

VM configuration is set to use bridged network and en1: Airport/wireless. Also tried using the Default connection, but no luck on either.

Wireless works fine in OS X.

[peterwor]

Bridged networking hs stopped working in my Windiows XP guest OS after installing Beta 6.
I WAS using en1:Airport Adapter and bridged ethernet on my MBP up until now and wih Beta 6 its totally DEAD.
Looks like I'm not alone either. I saw the note about it not working with Linux and WiFi but I think theres an issue with Windows as well. I tried the NAT spof and that doesn't ork either.

Help us Parallels!!!!

[skyking]

I reinstalled beta 4 and now I can connect to the net and everything appears to be back to normal. After several attempts, I couldn't even get beta 6 to start. (I originally got it started, but with no network connectivity)

[timfrey]

Just installed the latest version upgrading Beta 5 and noticed a couple new things. 1st, it required a reboot which I don't recall Beta 5 asking for. 2nd the BIOS screen that flashes up still displays version 1.05 (certainly hope you don't have to create a new installation as this would be a huge downfall). 3rd, as it appears many are finding, the networking feature appears to no longer work. I've been using the wireless connection in my iMac G5 up to this point with no issues but now it's not able to connect. Have tried many different settings but to no avail. Hopefully they can solve this, and quickly!!!! Keep up the good work guys, you've got a killer app brewing here.

T

[skyking]

When I installed beta 6 (and I could get it to run) I had to use the control/alt key combination to get the cursor back out of the VM and into the mac. Timfrey indicated his version displayed 1.05, I recall that mine did too. Could this be a corrupted beta???

[engrProf]

Put me on the list of people for whom networking has stopped working...:( :( :(

[kaufman]

Networking works for me, but I am having an issue with USB support.

When I plug in and turn on my Dell Axim x51v, I can see it in the list of USB devices. THe first time I attached to it, windows said it was installing the drivers, but then it said that it had an issue. I tried rebooting, and it still will not be seen by activesync.

In addition, after trying to attach the PDA, the VM lockes up during a shutdown windows.

Getting closer, but still some work to be done.

Michael

[Andrew @ Parallels]

I installed beta 6 and even though my "about Parallels" indicates that I have beta 6, it is acting like beta 1 or 2. I am having trouble starting the VM, and when it does start I can't connect to the internet and I have to use the control/alt key combination to move the cursor outside the VM window. Also, the controls are back on the right side of the machine.

Larry Lane
1. Please reinstall Parallels Tools - it will fix your mouse behavior.
2. Default toolbar position was moved back to the right side according to poll results on this forum. You can customize toolbar position using menu Edit->Preferences->User Interface.

[Andrew @ Parallels]

Thanks for reporting WiFi networking issue - we will check this ASAP!

[HON C TSOI]

No luck of gaining back with networking while in Beta 6??

[prethip]

giys where is bluetooth and isight support...
do u think u will have that before the final version comes out...?

[Ekke]

This is how I got it to work:

Look at the Parallels tool - if it says connected to network:
Open your Network prefs in guest OS
There you will see that TCP packages are sent but not recieved, indicating
a TCP/IP problem.
Open Network preferences in Mac OSX
Get TCP/IP for "Airport"
Get TCP/IP for "Parallels" - you will find any assigned private address there.
Copy "Airport" settings into "Parallels" as MANUALLY (not DHCP)
Copy settings to TCP/IP properties of guest OS
Network is running again
I consider this just a temporary workaround - please Parallels fix it.

I would rather have it as a true bridge with a new IP and offering DHCP for the
guest, or even grabbing the IP from the physical NW adaptors and rout it to
the guest with DHCP. Too much hazzle for people who switch to different NWs

[dentate]

OK, I had some issues installing both Beta 5 and Beta 6 on my iMac and this is what I learned:

I had installed antivirus software on the VM (McAfee) and I have now found that you cannot have this on. Disabling it is not enough. The antivirus protection does something to certain Windows files that Parallels--and in particular, Parallels Tools--expects to find there. The Parallels Tools doesn't work and won't install--it asks for drivers from nonexistent disks. To fix this, I had to remove the protection software, reinstall Windows XP (choosing the "Upgrade" option during install, to preserve programs and settings), and then reinstall Parallels Tools. After Beta 5 I then reinstalled the virus protection and everything worked. When the same thing happened with the Beta 6 installation, I just quit using the virus software.

My Parallels icon on the dock no longer worked. This is because Beta 6 puts the application in a folder together with Image Tools, so I needed to add that location for the dock.

My networking works fine on Default with Beta 6, but somewhere in all this I lost the workgroup and had to set it up again on the VM, after which it worked fine.

Glad to report that Compressor now works as advertised. I used Image Tools first, then Compressor (attaching the CD drive to the Compressor .iso file) but I probably did not need to. This doubled the free space on my expanding disk. It does not seem to be compatible with XP's native defragmenter though which shows lots of fragmented files. Also it takes a LONG time and I had to watch the CPU monitor in the host to assure myself that all was well.

Shared Folders seems to work now, but I still can't get my USB printer recognized.

[tacit_one]

prethip,
i was able to connect usb dongle to the guest system - it worked for me.
actually, usb dongle is just another usb device, - it should work as soon as you connect it to your guest system (so no special support for bluetooth is really needed)

[maverick808]

None of my USB devices work with every one still reporting that it is blocked. These are...

iPAQ 2750
iPAQ 4150
iPAQ 5550
i-Mate SP5
Motorola V3
O2 XDA 2
Various mice

Are any of these supposed to work yet? I notice that PDAs are listed in the list of things that might be supported. What PDAs *are* currently working?

Also, less importantly, for me, Beta 6 has stopped networking from working.

[ralfvin]

Things just kept getting better and better until Beta 6 came out. After installing Beta 6 I lost network connectivity. Is there a way to go back to Beta 5?

[Andrew @ Parallels]

Please see this topic for detailes. (http://forum.parallels.com/thread1291.html)

[Scott Willsey]

Any chance we could just leave the "Announcements" threads for announcements, and the technical threads for bug/problem reports? Especially considering you posted this in 3 or 4 threads total?

[Richard Hunter]

Great Job, Guys... Interface is MUCH nicer... the ability for the menu to be shown independant of the status bar is GREAT... as well is the collapsable menu bar! BRAVO!


Now... all you have to do is fix that dang keyboard issue and it's all good.

If I ever *HIDE* a Mac app (by %H), and bring it back again, it operates normally...

If I do this with Parallels... however... a weird keyboard thing happens... it's like everything I type is a shortcut... i.e., r brings up the run menu, etc.

???

Any thoughts?

-Richard

[jsqr]

First. let me express my appreciation to the Parallels team for producing such a useful application. It has enabled me to run numerous applications that would otherwise be available in OS X. They especially include Quicken for Windows (the Mac counterpart is less convenient), and also Dragon Naturally Speaking version 8. This voice-to-text speech recognition application is one of my most-needed apps, and its operation in Parallels is a mixed bag. Everything seems to work well, except for support for USB headsets and USB desktop microphones.

When I connect either one (in Beta 6, with hotfix), they are recognized, but the sound volume and quality are poor, as if the data transmission speed is slowed to a crawl.

I've tried connecting both headsets and mikes to the USB port in iMAC G5 as well as a Belkin USB hub, with the same results in each connection, and with each input device.

I know USB support is not complete, but thought I'd add this to the list of apps that are currently not working.

I look forward to the final product. Thanks again for this promising application.

Jsqr

[ibepc2]

Last time I installed Parallel Tools it crashed my entire OS system within the VM.

[sickbar]

while booting windows in beta 6 my mac hardly movies. it takes me a long time to close it and even then my system needs a minute to get back to normal.

Am I the only one?

beta5 worked great.

Ziv

[maverick808]

while booting windows in beta 6 my mac hardly movies. it takes me a long time to close it and even then my system needs a minute to get back to normal.

Am I the only one?

beta5 worked great.

Ziv

While booting, using and closing XP both my iMac and MacBook continue to respond very well. In fact it's hardly noticable that anything else is going on. However, I have 2GB in both my machines.

I strongly suspect you are experiencing slow-downs due to a lack of physical RAM.

[sickbar]

bommer.
well, I think adding more ram is never a bad thing...
anyone here knows if this is what I need:

Apple Memory Module 2GB 667MHz DDR2 (PC2-5300) 2x1GB SO-DIMMs
Part Number: MA369G/A - (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/1.RSLID?nclm=EB1026B6)

I got 1G at the moment.

Ziv

[maverick808]

bommer.
well, I think adding more ram is never a bad thing...
anyone here knows if this is what I need:

Apple Memory Module 2GB 667MHz DDR2 (PC2-5300) 2x1GB SO-DIMMs
Part Number: MA369G/A - (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/1.RSLID?nclm=EB1026B6)

I got 1G at the moment.

Ziv

I wouldn't get RAM from Apple as they completely rip you off. You can get cheap compatible memory from newegg.com and if you want something that says Apple on it try crucial.com as they guarantee compatibility and are quite cheap.

[sickbar]

Thank you very much :-)
I'll look into those sites.

Ziv

[alkalifly]

In case anyone was considering whether or not to pick up more RAM, I will share my experiences.

I was using Parallels Workstation with Windows XP for about a week with 1GB of RAM in my Mac and 512MB assigned to the virtual machine. I picked up another 1GB for my Mac, so I know have the max 2GB, and I have noticed a HUGE improvement for running parallels.

Whereas before, running an XP virtual machine would noticeably slow down the rest of my Mac, expecially while the virtual machine was starting up or shutting down, I now do not even notice the effects of running a VM on the rest of my system AT ALL, even when the VM is booting. I don't even bother to pause my VM session while I switch over to work in my Mac.

I still would like to figure out why I can't connect my Mac to a VPN without shittung down the internet connectino to the guest, but that is another issue.

[jmaynard]

If I ever *HIDE* a Mac app (by %H), and bring it back again, it operates normally...

If I do this with Parallels... however... a weird keyboard thing happens... it's like everything I type is a shortcut... i.e., r brings up the run menu, etc.
Richard, try hitting and releasing the command key a couple of times, all by itself.

[Richard Hunter]

Thanks, Jay... actually, seems that either Command or option-command will work too... weird.... lol

[Richard Hunter]

NEW PROBLEM FOUND!

Hey, guys... tried working in a DOS PROMPT today doing some network troubleshooting... and my command prompt is useless... it is soooooooo slow.... I couldn't do anything... :(

Any ideas?

[joem]

Using patched beta 6, win2k guest. Start VM, work a bit, shut down Windows, power off VM, power on VM, get message that it can't allocate memory.

Quit Parallels, restart, works fine. Very repeatable.

[mrfearless47]

I've installed Beta 6 and the hotfix as well as the updated Parallels tools. I've been especially looking forward to getting USB working. So far, no good luck. I've installed Quicken 2005 for Home and Office. I'm trying to transfer my data from a PC via a USB memory stick. The stick is recognized under OSX and sorta under Parallels running Windows XP SP2 as the guest operating system. However, my stick is USB 2.0 and Windows constantly harps at me that this device can run faster but won't let me. Then Quicken hangs when I try to read it. In fact, if I try to read it with any Windows program under parallels it just keeps reading and reading and reading until I have to stop the VM to exit. It reads fine under OSX and under Windows XP running natively on a Windows box.

I think there's still work necessary on getting true USB working in the OSX version of parallels. Once that happens, I'm nearly liberated completely from my dependence on native WinXP boxes and can think about replacing my main server with the PowerMac G5 Intel replacement that will be out before year's end.

[kaufman]

I'm trying to transfer my data from a PC via a USB memory stick. The stick is recognized under OSX and sorta under Parallels running Windows XP SP2 as the guest operating system. However, my stick is USB 2.0 and Windows constantly harps at me that this device can run faster but won't let me. Then Quicken hangs when I try to read it. In fact, if I try to read it with any Windows program under parallels it just keeps reading and reading and reading until I have to stop the VM to exit.

I agree with you that USB still needs a fair amount of work, but until then, why don't you just copy the memory stick contents to OS X, and read them in from a shared directory?

MLK

[mikem]

I agree with you that USB still needs a fair amount of work, but until then, why don't you just copy the memory stick contents to OS X, and read them in from a shared directory?

MLK


this might work, but I have found that large amounts of data, cannot be read in the Guest OS.

Ie I had a 7mb file in a "Drop" folder on the OSX system. I have created a shared folder and try to drag in into the WindowsXP install - but get an error that the source disk cannot be read.

[milesce]

I've found it seems to work much better from the other side, at least if the guest os in Windows. I share out a directory on my XP guest, then do all my copying from the host side (I've done quite a bit of this, hundreds of Mbs with no problem).

From the other direction, I set /Volumes as a shared folder and tried to copy from my USB hard drive and explorer kept blowing up. :(

[sgardner]

Gnome works fine, gdm works fine, kdm works fine, but choosing KDE as session once logged in I loose all keyboard access.??