First the machine / software details. I own an Intel 2.4 GHz Macbook Pro, 2 GB RAM, running OS X 10.5.2. I have two log-ins on the Mac, one for my wife, and one for me. We both have administrative privileges, but I am the only one that actually administers the machine and software. I am running Windows XP as the guest operating system. I have had intermittent problems (like most people it seems) with the memory allocation error which keeps Parallels from loading. I am usually amused at the suggested fix about enabling automatic memory allocation, because it has ALWAYS been set as such and still is. For a long time now, for some reason, I get that error when I log in to the Mac, but when my wife logs in to the Mac, and launches Parallels, she does NOT get the error and Windows launches. This is a clear long term bug which has yet - after well over a year - has not been fixed. As my wife primarily uses XP to run some particular software, I have just put up with this condition - Parallels/SP only working while she is the OS X "login-ee".
One last detail... I am NOT running Bootcamp in any way, shape, or form.
Today, I noticed on her desktop (with Windows running) the suggestion that we could upgrade to build 5600 of Parallels. I dutifully checked the Parallels website for any specific upgrade instructions and finding none, I just followed the instructions for upgrading - noting that I WAS among the target users for the upgrade as I am running Leopard. Apparently all loaded well.
But.... I still get the same error when I launch Parallels. One thing to note is that I am launching my guest OS from a "stopped" condition. That's when I get the failure. When I log in as my wife, I am able to RESTART Windows from a SUSPEND condition. No problem. I am deathly afraid to shut her Windows down (to "STOP" the virtual machine) as I fear the memory problem.
Community and also the Parallels staff: Can someone tell me how to fix this long term, intractable, and frankly unacceptable flaw. This is no a minor inconvenience. This makes the product unusable - no a LITTLE bit unusable, but fully unusable. WHEN are you guys going to fix this problem? Or should I give up and go to VMWare?
I am attaching a .png of the desktop error in case others have not seen it before.
Some steps if you do not want to upgrade to 10.5.3
1. Restart MAc, start Parallels Desktop and hold Apple key
2. Parallels Desktop -Preferences - Memory change Adjust memory limit from automatically to manual and set to less than 1 gb
3. Decrease Windows XP memory to less than 1 gb
Memory Allocation Error again - after upgrade
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