Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit Stability

I recently received an OEM Copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit (Final Release, not BETA or RTM) and installed it into Parallels Desktop (v4.0.3846) on my Macbook Pro. Everything was installed with Recommended settings (I increased the memory to 2GB after initial VM Configuration). The OS went in fine and appears to be running well, but I have had several instances of the OS freezing, well sort of. The application that I was running (Don't Laugh, it was solitaire) would simply freeze the mouse sub system would work, and I could on occasion click on the windows symbol, but then the whole OS would lock up. I have made sure that all updates are installed and everything is up to date. Anyone else having these issues?

My Mac Configuration:
-------------------------

MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.6 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP41.00C1.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.28f2

Hard Drive Configuration:
-------------------------------
INTEL SSDSA2MH160G1GC:

Capacity: 160.04 GB (160,041,885,696 bytes)
Model: INTEL SSDSA2MH160G1GC

 

I have seen Win 7 lock up several times. Mostly it was after resuming, or sitting idle for a while. Stopping the VM and restarting got it going again. For all we know however this could be Win 7 not Parallels. I have heard reports of stability problems with 10 workstations we put Win 7 on as well.

 

I am seeing my Windows 7 Professional hang up regularly. OS seems to hang and won't respond to anything (including Ctrl-Alt-Delete send keys).

This was a new install of Win 7 Pro. Host machine is Macbook Pro. Parallels 4.0.4838 on Snow Leopard.

 

My Windows 7 64 bit Ultimate hangs regularly

I'm running Snow Leopard with 8GB RAM, and couldn't resist buying Windows 7 64-bit (I do heavy duty software development work using both Mac and Windows simultaneously).

Windows 7 64 bit works great under Parallels until it hangs!.. which seems to happen 2-3 times a day.

I don't blame Parallels because they don't say they support it yet, but am eagerly waiting for the fix.

Btw. if any Parallels developers read this - in my experience this happens when I am working outside Parallels using Expose/Spaces. I then return, and menus stop working etc.

 

Well it is working pretty well for me, I have had one hang so far in around a week.

What I do get is lots of crashes trying to start windows 7, also it gets in a state where it has to recover system files for some reason, so basically I am just using suspend.

What I have noticed is slow screen updates and very strange behaviour with spaces but as my XP VM is the same this seems to be a general parallels issue.

 

Sinc 10.6.3 I'm having massive stability problems when running a Win7-64-Ultimate in that my MBP totally locks-up. No mouse, no keyboard, no screen update. Only chance is to manually shutdown the system.

The average time until lock-up is a couple of minutes. In 10.6.2 I didn't had any problems.

The interesting thing is, that VMWare seems to have the same problem with the same imported Parallels VM.

I'm now running an old XP VM and I don't have the problem.

Could it be that using Win7-64-Ultimate within a VM makes that much problems? Is this a known issue? Is there anything I could try to fix it? This is really driving me nuts.

 

Odd. I've been running a Windows 7 64 bit VM (not a bootcamp VM) since Parallels 5 came out and never had that issue. I'm pushing the poor VM quite a bit as I run it each work day, ie usually around 8 hrs uninterrupted. I've been quite impressed with Parallels.

 

I'm not sure if this helps but if you are running MacFUSE or NTFS-3g try to disable both of these.

 

Are there any updates as far as 64 bit support goes? I have a copy of Windows 7 Professional 64-bit installed on a Boot Camp partition.

I was going to purchase parallels so that I don't have to reboot if I want to do something quick like just use Internet Explorer (because my school uses Web Outlook 2003... and features are SEVERELY restricted if you access from any browser besides IE).

But if Parallels doesn't officially support 64-bit OS's yet...

does anyone know if Fusion has support for them?

 

To answer my own question, VMWare does officially support 64-bit guest OS's <http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-10958>

Well Parallels, it's been good.... but it's time for me to move on.

 

Stability issues

Hello,

I was an early adopter of Parallels 6.

I updated to 6 and then promptly upgraded my win7 64 bit VM.

I have had to hard boot my OSX OS several times as clicking on something inside of Win7 Ultimate takes down the entire OSX operating system.

This last time it happened it gave me the black screen of death.

Here is the trace.

Interval Since Last Panic Report: 462579 sec
Panics Since Last Report: 1
Anonymous UUID: 37D9239B-13B8-4FE8-9425-B90ED851BE2F

Thu Sep 23 12:38:23 2010
panic(cpu 1 caller 0x2af6a1): "Local APIC error, ESR: 128\n"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-1504.7.4/osfmk/i386/lapic.c:651
Backtrace (CPU 1), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x57135f08 : 0x21b455 (0x5cf328 0x57135f3c 0x2238b1 0x0)
0x57135f58 : 0x2af6a1 (0x592c44 0x80 0x0 0x1050002)
0x57135f88 : 0x2a8033 (0xdb 0x5d2229b0 0x781 0x1)
0x57135fd8 : 0x29eb5e (0x5d2229b0 0x0 0x0 0x0)
0x5d222af8 : 0x5ec89b27 (0x14628004 0x5d222e40 0x1 0x2)
0x5d222bc8 : 0x5ec84984 (0x14628004 0xc20c7802 0x5d222e40 0xc)
0x5d222c08 : 0x5ec8436b (0x131a4f00 0x10943784 0x5d222e3c 0x10)
0x5d222c38 : 0x5631b5 (0x131a4f00 0x0 0x5d222cd0 0x2)
0x5d222c88 : 0x563d41 (0x131a4f00 0x0 0x5d222cd0 0x5eca0660)
0x5d222da8 : 0x284a7f (0x131a4f00 0x0 0x10943780 0x0)
0x5d223e58 : 0x21d7f7 (0x10943758 0x9ec15a0 0x8ab78 0x3e0f)
0x5d223e98 : 0x210983 (0x10943700 0x0 0x14f6aa10 0x13113c40)
0x5d223ef8 : 0x216be6 (0x10943700 0x0 0x0 0x0)
0x5d223f78 : 0x293eb4 (0xa6e1b88 0x0 0x0 0x0)
0x5d223fc8 : 0x29f48d (0xa6e1b84 0x7fff 0x10 0xa6e1b84)
Kernel Extensions in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor(6.0 11822.604190)@0x5ec81000->0x5ecf6fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x926000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily(1.3.0)@0x912000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: prl_vm_app

Mac OS version:
10F569

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 10.4.0: Fri Apr 23 18:28:53 PDT 2010; root:xnu-1504.7.4~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacBookPro3,1 (Mac-F42388C8)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 75704123305950
unloaded kexts:
com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothHIDDriver 2.3.3f8 (addr 0xef8000, size 0x53248) - last unloaded 1604303362923
loaded kexts:
nl.bjaelectronics.driver.PL2303 1.0.0d1 - last loaded 64104202885269
com.google.filesystems.fusefs 2.0.3
com.vmware.kext.vmnet 2.0.6
com.vmware.kext.vmioplug 2.0.6
com.vmware.kext.vmci 2.0.6
com.vmware.kext.vmx86 2.0.6
com.parallels.kext.prl_vnic 6.0 11822.604190
com.parallels.kext.prl_netbridge 6.0 11822.604190
com.parallels.kext.prl_usb_connect 6.0 11822.604190
com.parallels.kext.prl_hid_hook 6.0 11822.604190
com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor 6.0 11822.604190
com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.snowleopard 5.7.1
com.screenrecycler.driver.ScreenRecyclerDriver 1.4.7
com.mhlabs.driver.MobileIOAudioDriver.10.6 5.3d185
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.3d0
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 2.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 1.8.7f1
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight 170.0.24
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Atheros 423.19.10
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.3.2
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.4
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor 3.0.0d4
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0
com.apple.iokit.CHUDUtils 364
com.apple.iokit.CHUDProf 364
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver 1.1.2
com.apple.kext.AppleSMCLMU 1.5.0d3
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelMeromProfile 19.1
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 4.1.2b1
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.4.12
com.apple.GeForce 6.1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTrackpad 1.8.1b1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyEventDriver 1.8.1b1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard 1.8.1b1
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 303.8
com.apple.driver.Oxford_Semi 2.5.4
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 2.6.5
com.apple.BootCache 31
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 4.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager 160.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 1.6.2
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.7.1
com.apple.iokit.AppleYukon2 3.1.14b1
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.1.2
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPIIXATA 2.5.1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 4.0.2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBUHCI 4.0.2
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.3.1
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.3.2
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.3.2
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 105.10.0
com.apple.security.sandbox 0
com.apple.security.quarantine 0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 2.1.11
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 105.10.0
com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothHIDMouse 1.4.0d7
com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothHIDDriver 2.3.3f8
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse 1.4.0d7
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 1.8.7f1
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileReadCounterAction 17
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileTimestampAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileThreadInfoAction 14
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileRegisterStateAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileKEventAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileCallstackAction 20
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 311.1
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 1.8.7f1
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 1.8.7f1
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 74.0
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 2.3.3f8
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.3
com.apple.iokit.CHUDKernLib 364
com.apple.iokit.AppleProfileFamily 41.4
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.0.1d2
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 4.1.2b1
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.7.6fc2
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.3
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal 6.1.8
com.apple.NVDAResman 6.1.8
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.1
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.1
com.apple.driver.CSRUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.3.3f8
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.3.3f8
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 2.3.3f8
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 4.0.2
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIReducedBlockCommandsDevice 2.6.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 4.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 3.9.0
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireSerialBusProtocolTransport 2.0.1
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireSBP2 4.0.6
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 2.6.5
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 402.1
com.apple.iokit.IOATAPIProtocolTransport 2.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 2.6.5
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 4.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.2.6
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 1.9
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.0.4
com.apple.iokit.IOATAFamily 2.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 4.0.2
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.3.0
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.6.4
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 6
com.apple.driver.DiskImages 283
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.6.1
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.3.2
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.6
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.3.0
Model: MacBookPro3,1, BootROM MBP31.0070.B07, 2 processors, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.4 GHz, 4 GB, SMC 1.18f5
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT, GeForce 8600M GT, PCIe, 256 MB
Memory Module: global_name
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x168C, 0x87), Atheros 5416: 2.0.19.10
Bluetooth: Version 2.3.3f8, 2 service, 19 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: AirPort, AirPort, en1
PCI Card: pci168c,24, sppci_othernetwork, PCI Slot 5
Serial ATA Device: ST9500420AS, 465.76 GB
Parallel ATA Device: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-85J
USB Device: Built-in iSight, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8502, 0xfd400000
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8205, 0x1a100000
USB Device: USB-Serial Controller D, 0x0557 (ATEN International Co. Ltd.), 0x2008, 0x3a200000
USB Device: 600dpi USB Scanner, 0x07b3 (Plustek, Inc.), 0x0412, 0x1d100000
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x021a, 0x5d200000
USB Device: IR Receiver, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8242, 0x5d100000
FireWire Device: ComboGB, WiebeTECH, Up to 400 Mb/sec
FireWire Device: ULN2+DSP - FireWire Audio Interface, Boris Manufacturing Corporation, Up to 400 Mb/sec
FireWire Device: 2882+DSP - FireWire Audio Interface, Boris Manufacturing Corporation, Up to 400 Mb/sec

 

I wish I hadn't upgraded to Parallels 6

I was running Parallels 5 and Windows 7 Ultimate Edition 64-Bit and it worked great. Yesterday, I upgraded to Parallels 6 and now my Windows applications (MS Office 2007 & Quicken 2010) freeze up intermittently. If I wait long enough they eventually get started again but sooner or later this is going to happen in the middle of something important and I'm going to lose or corrupt important data.

Is there a way to downgrade back down to Parallels 5 or is this a reinstall/do-over?