PW 2.1 for Mac OS X beta3 is here!

[Ben @ Parallels]

I'm proud to say that with the support of our almost 50,000 beta testers we were able to resolve a number of bugs and issues very quickly, and as a result, are making beta3 of Parallels Workstation 2.1 for Mac OS X available for download!

Get your copy at at the Parallels for Mac OS X Download Center. (http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/mac/) Don't forget that if you pre-order your copy now, you can save $10 off the $49.99 retail price!

Beta3 offers the several fixes and improvements that bring us much closer to a complete product:

No need to reinstall Parallels Workstation if its moved from the default file location.
Mac OS X no longer restarts when Parallels Workstation is left running and host wakes up from “Sleep” mode
Kernel no longer panics when working with several VMs
Improved speed and performance
Idling guest OS now consumes only 1-2% of CPU power
Bridged networking issues fixed
Sound support introduced
Improved wi-fi support (especially for MacBook pros)
Improved mouse synchronization tool
Keyboard mapping and repeating bugs fixed
CD/DVD problems fixed
Many other minor bug fixesA few known issues that are being resolved now:

Do NOT suspend your VM when sound is playing inside guest, as it may reset Mac OS X.
VMs are created with the Sound device pointing to the Null Device. Its important to point it to “Default Audio” manually to have sound enabled in a VM.
Sound may tremble at the beginning of playing
USB is not working yet, but will be very soon
Video output is still a bit slow
Image Tool is not available yet, but will be very soon.

[dailo]

You guys are the best!!

[diavo]

Still can't get the audio to work, the sound preference menu is all been greyed out. Anything i need to set or install? The drive can't read dvd as well, can't decode.

[Copilot]

To add sound, you need to Edit your VM configuration then use the Add>Next>Add Device Instantly buttons. Then change Null Device to Built In.

MIne works great. Great job, guys!

[oxonian]

Under beta 2, there was a nice feature that as I moved the mouse off the Parallels window, it changes from Windows pointer to mac pointer seemlessly and I could go click on a mac app.

In Beta 3 it seems this doesn't work and instead I have to be constantly using the Ctrl+Alt to Relase the mouse.

Has the feature I saw before been switched off, or am I missing sometihng?


Oh, and GREAT work by the way guys. You are making amazing progress.

[pcunix]

This beta3 fixed my networking issues but I still cannot type a pipe in Linux (any Linux). If I type |, I get >

[pcunix]

Mac OS X no longer restarts when Parallels Workstation is left running and host wakes up from “Sleep” mode
.

It still restarts my machine..

[kboggs]

I'm using the intel Mac version of PWS runnig WinXP Pro.

I've noticed that my mouse pointer is a bit jerky on screen. I've tried tuning the settings in the Mouse control panel but it doesn't seem to make much difference. Is this just part of the beta experience or should I look for a deeper cause?

Thanks for doing such a great job.

[Andrew @ Parallels]

You should install Parallels Tools - click on the menu VM->Install Parallels Tools. Installation wizard should run automatically. If not - just browse CD in guest Windows and click on PrlTools.exe.

[pcunix]

It still restarts my machine..


Only that once. This morning, it was fine.

[Joseph_Ryan]

Nits to pick: (while I wait for Win XP SP2 to load on my shiny new VM)

1) Can't change label color of Parallel.app - what gives?

2) I am a Mac newbie - but I can tell there is something 'klunky" about the first few screens. They just don't quite behave like they should.

That said, If I can get XP and Win98 working (the later just to run some old kid's games) I would have to say this thing rocks!

[MarkHolbrook]

I got my Intel MacMini just yesterday so the first thing I did was to install Beta3. I'm really looking forward to eventually a MacBook Pro with this product as my development environment.

In trying to install both XP and Win2000 the F8 problem kept me from getting past it. It is definitey not fixed in this release as far as I can tell. I finally figured out a way to make my MS keyboard send an F8.

I got Win2000 installed but was unable to get XP installed as I have an upgrade disk which forces me to eject the XP disk and "look for a compatible product to upgrade from". I've been unsuccessful at getting the disk ejected so I can have the damn XP upgrade see my Win2000 disk.

I've also had in just the short time I've been using Beta3, three of the "You must press and hold the power button to turn off your Mac and restart". No particular thing triggered these. One time was just plugging in the the wired network cable to get networking going and suddenly it crashes.

I will pre-order the product as I think you guys are on the right track however I must stress strongly that you need to figure out how to NOT panic stop the OS. That will keep the product from ever reaching mainstream if people cannot rely on their OS after use of Parallels.

Mark

[MarkHolbrook]

Also,

Sometimes I get a dialog when starting the VM that my processor supports VT-x but is disabled in firmware. Just now I did not get it. No idea why.

M

[fattymelt]

you guys rock. I've had a few glitches, but overall the performance and ease of use of beta3 is amazing. I'm not suggesting you slow development, but just wanted you to know that there are a ton of people out here who think this is already an amazing product. fantastic work.

[jaysong]

I got my Intel MacMini just yesterday so the first thing I did was to install Beta3. I'm really looking forward to eventually a MacBook Pro with this product as my development environment.

In trying to install both XP and Win2000 the F8 problem kept me from getting past it. It is definitey not fixed in this release as far as I can tell. I finally figured out a way to make my MS keyboard send an F8.

I got Win2000 installed but was unable to get XP installed as I have an upgrade disk which forces me to eject the XP disk and "look for a compatible product to upgrade from". I've been unsuccessful at getting the disk ejected so I can have the damn XP upgrade see my Win2000 disk.

I've also had in just the short time I've been using Beta3, three of the "You must press and hold the power button to turn off your Mac and restart". No particular thing triggered these. One time was just plugging in the the wired network cable to get networking going and suddenly it crashes.

I will pre-order the product as I think you guys are on the right track however I must stress strongly that you need to figure out how to NOT panic stop the OS. That will keep the product from ever reaching mainstream if people cannot rely on their OS after use of Parallels.

Mark
Some have report a problem loading xp because F8 to load os will not work. What I did to solve this was go to system preferences and under keyoard check the "Use the F1-F12 keys to controll sofware features" I had no issues after doing that. The F8 key becomes an F8 key rather than a off switch for th ebacklit keyboard on may macbook Pro. Hope that helps.
Jayson

[Ensoniq]

Mac keyboards have a key marked "fn" in the lower left corner, next to the "ctrl" key. If you press "fn" (which stands for function) and hold it down while pressing F8, it should work fine for you.

[MarkHolbrook]

Unfortunately I'm using an MS wireless keyboard (really for PC's) which doesn't have a function key. I was able to make the keyboard send the F8 however.

I agree with FattyMelt. The product rocks. It just needs to become more stable. I got Win2000 loaded and started to play with loading some apps but the network keeps crapping out. I've seen another report on this too so I know I'm not the only one.

Like I said, I'll order it and hope it stabilizes.

Mark

[Andrew @ Parallels]

We are working hard on all issues you are guys reporting. And all these stability problems will be fixed before official release.

[jaysong]

Mac keyboards have a key marked "fn" in the lower left corner, next to the "ctrl" key. If you press "fn" (which stands for function) and hold it down while pressing F8, it should work fine for you.

I tried on my macbook and fn + F8 together when loading VM XP = No Joy. That is the first thing I tried but not would for me. What type of machine did this work on for you Ensoniq? Would be great to document what works on what models.

[mbeyer]

>>Mac OS X no longer restarts when Parallels Workstation is left running and host wakes up from “Sleep” mode

This still happens for me. I am running beta 3.

[Zima]

When is USB support coming?

Right now, I still have to use a PC box for QuickBooks Pro, since I can't print checks to the attached USB printer:-( I reaaly want to put the PC box in the trash....:-)

Also, a full screen resolution for the 20" iMac would be very nice.

Thanks!

[Neuron]

Zima, can you print to the attached printer if you share it from your Mac and access it as a network printer in your Windows VM? I'd expect that to work just fine.

[Zima]

Thanks Neuron,

I tried that and couldn't get it to work (saw someplace that it works for PS printers only, and I am using an Epson Stylus Photo 820.)

[Andrew @ Parallels]

When is USB support coming?
I can't give you exact date but USB support will be introduced prior to official product release.

[psychoboogie]

love parallels. But on the macbook pro if you do something continuous, say a stream from rhapsody, it gets so hot that I think it could be detrimental to the machine. Is there going to be any way to mitigate the heat in the future?

[eguillem]

Honestly, I think the heat issue doesn't really depend on Parallels. Mine gets really hot when I crank some work on OSX too. The only difference I might see is that Parallels is probably using much more memory than OSX and that could increse heat even more.

[constant]

.
If you have purchased a given piece of hardware and you make normal use of it, for it then to be overheating would be a problem with manufacture. Wouldn't it?
.

[Daktari]

Wirless (eth1)) still not working :( . This is with beta 3 MAcbook pro 2.0Ghz 2GB Ram running Windows Xp sp2.

[lscline]

I'm astounded at the way you folks are turning out the betas and addressing the concerns. Are you ever going to take a weekend off???? :D

The fullscreen support is just wonderful. I've tried one of my (Windows only) slideshows in fullscreen mode with audio and it was beautiful. The photo transitions are smooth; this really performs. Now I can use my Macbook for slideshow presentations!

Thank you so much!!! (Yes, I prepaid around beta2!)

Linda