We are an architecture office that currently runs a mixture of Macs and PCs, Vectorworks on the Macs and Microstation on the PCs. I'm currently investigating putting Parallels on one of our intel iMacs in order to run Microstation (we have a mac mini with bootcamp but it's a pain in the neck to keep restarting to get to the programmes in the OS that I'm not in, so Parallels seems the logical solution). So, the questions are: 1. How wrong could I get it if I were to install Parallels and Windows myself? This is going to be something the office relies on so I'm a little nervous of doing something wrong. I'm usually the person installing/uninstalling programmes here so it's not that I have no clue, I just never done anything with virtual machines before. The other option is to get our IT consultants to do it, but then they want to take the machine away for a day and it'll cost twice the amount. 2. how long should it take to set up Parallels and Windows? Just a rough idea would be enough - to the nearest hour? 3. The iMac is 18 months old, meets the system requirements and is running OS 10.4 but it's been in use for all of this time. Should it be OK to just install Parallels and get on with it or should I reformat the hard-drive and start again from scratch? 4. Can we install an OEM version of windows legally or should it be a full new version? Since it's for the office it needs to be wholly and properly corrrect! 5. Is there anything else I should know about running Microstation in this way? Any words of wisdom gratefully received. Thanks, Sarah
Hello, Thank you for your interest in Parallels Desktop for Mac! 1. It is quite easy to install Parallels Desktop and Windows. You just need to use User Guide. 2. I am not sure about the time, but more likely it will take 2-3 hours to set up both Parallels and Windows. Also you can use a Bootcamp partition to create a Virtual Machine, then it will take less time. 3. Please click 'About this Mac' in menu and tell me the exact Mac OS X version of your Mac. 4. It is better to use a full retail version, because it is not always possible to install OEM version. 5. Does MicroStation requires DirectX 9 to run? Parallels officially work with DirectX 8 only. Best regards, Stacey
Stacey, thanks for your reply, it's very helpful. 3. The iMac is running OS 10.4.11 5. Yes, Microstation does require DirectX 9, does this mean that it wouldn't run at all or that it could just behave in some strange way? Thanks, Sarah
3. Then it is OK and you can install Parallels Desktop as it is. 4. It is hard to say what the behavior of Microstation will be. But you can use a trial version of Parallels Desktop just to observe the performance of Microstation. Best regards, Stacey
OK, thanks, I think I'll try it and see. Why is it that an OEM version of windows might not install? Thanks, Sarah
Sarah, sometimes OEM version is bundled with hardware, i.e. it could be installed only on particular hardware. That is why we recommend to use full retail version. Best regards, Stacey
