PD4 optimal configuration?

When I click on the Configure button on Parallels 4 and I go to the Memory or Video Memory options, I am UNABLE to change the settings. I cannot move the slider nor type in the numbers or click on the arrows to increase or decrease the amounts.

Any idea why?

Thanks.

 

chicago63,

You cannot change these settings while having your virtual machine running. Please shut it down and then, while having it in a stopped state, go to the configuration editor and alter the settings.

 

Thank you! I'll try that.

 

Dear proforged,
Thank you for your vigilance in this matter. I will try your settings.
I have the same computer configuration as you, and I'm trying to run Solidworks.
I paid for support, and got no satisfaction. They did seem to make the same recommendations for configuration as you, (except for memory size.)
I noticed that you should also not let Time Machine back up the VM. This is a checkbox option in the General Config tab.
The technician claims that there is no difference in running a Boot Camp VM, or one made from scratch. I made both and tend to agree - they are both slow.
His final recommendation was to uninstall everything and go back to PD 3.0. John, do you agree with this?

 

disabling 3D did not have any affect.

 

If you see slowness with Solid Works please follow recommendations bellow:

1. At lease 1,5- 2 gb for VM + 2 GB for Leopard - eg Machine with at least 4 gb
2. Video memory 256
3. Shared folders - check for files c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
There should be 2 entries, each on separate line:
127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.1 .psf

4. Antivirus - uninstall, use antivirus with no real scan engine - free Clamwin for example
5. And use common Microsoft recommendations to speed up PC

 

I have:
Macbook Pro 2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
4 GB RAM
256 MB VRAM

I have just upgrade from Parallels 3 to Parallels 4.0.3810

My current Parallels 4 settings:
do not back up with Time Machine - checked
Startup - open as window
turn on automatically - when Parallels Desktop starts
on window close - ask me what to do
Adaptive Hypervisor - not checked
Optimize performance for: virtual machine
Optimize power: better performance
Security: medium
Services: none checked
Shared Folders: Share MacOSX folders with Windows 'All Disks' checked
User-defined MacOS X folders: checked
Share all windows disks and Map folders: not checked
Shared Profile: not enabled
Shared Applications: not enabled
SmartMount: enabled
SmartGuard: not enabled
Internet Applications: default
Coherence: nothing checked
Modality: all checked
CPU: 1
Memory: 1744MB
Video: 256MB nothing else checked
Floppy disk: n/a
CD/DVD: enabled and connected
Hard Disk: Image File expanding disk 19.5GB
Network Adapter1: Connected - Bridged ethernet; airport
Sound: connected
USB controller: enabled.

Following installation of P4, I started working in AutoCAD2007 which was painfully slow to the point of being unusable in coherence.

I have done the following:
My 'hosts' file read-
127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.1 localhost

127.0.0.1 .psf

I amended this in notepad and saved.
I defragmented the hard disk.
I used a cleanup program to clean the registry.
I deleted my Virgin Media PC Guard and installed Clamwin antivirus
I restarted both the VM and the mac (several times during the course of doing this)
I uninstalled several unused windows programmes.
I uninstalled Parallels Tools from the VM, restarted in reinstalled the tools
I also deleted the Processor Controllers in Device Manager>System Devices


I have noticed an improved performance in XP, however AutoCAD is still unusable in coherence. It is a lot better in single window.

The reason I use Parallels IS for coherence as I also use Vectorworks in OSX. This all worked fine in P3. I honestly thought PS4 would enable me not only to work in coherence but also utilise my 23" cinema display along with the 15" macbookpro display.

Any help much appreciated!