Method to Expand Parallels Disk Image
The Parallels disk image size and location is setup during installation. I
was conservative, and set it to about 7.8 GB. It turned out that that disk
image size was too small, after I installed more software.
Parallels offers the Parallels Image Tool.app to "expand" the Windows XP
disk image, but after running the application, the Windows XP disk image
does not appear to be larger. Nor does that disk image "expand," as
Parallels says it will.
The problem appears to be that the image "can grow" in size, but neither
Parallels nor Windows knows how to use the extra space that was allocated.
There are many procedures posted on the Net for expanding the Parallels
Windows disk image size, but most rely on using extra partitioning software. The method recommended by Parallels also does not increase the disk image size. Instead, it creates a new disk partition in Windows.
I found the following simpler procedure, which worked like a charm.
Reproduced here, with the grammar and instructions cleaned up a bit.
http://deseloper.org/read/2006/12/expanding-a-parallels-disk-imagewhat-they-dont-tell-you/
Expanding a Parallels Disk Image. What They Dont Tell You.
On the initial install of Windows XP under Parallels, I was very
conservative in the disk space I allocated to it. After Windows repeatedly
yelling at me to do something about the lack of disk space I figured I
would.
When setting up the Windows Virtual Machine, I had the image set to
Expanding. A bit deceiving, for there is a procedure that is not
included in the help file for accomplishing this. This procedure allows
Windows to see the extra space that Parallels has allocated:
1. Find your hard disk image file on the host machine (in this case Mac OS).
Run the Parallels Image Tool.app on it and expand it to the desired size.
My Parallels disk image is located in:
~/Library/Parallels/Microsoft Windows XP/winxp.hdd
These days, Parallels is installing that image in:
~/Documents/Parallels
2. Use the Finder to duplicate the hard disk image you wish to expand.
3. Open Parallels but do not start Windows. Open the Parallels Preferences
for the virtual machine. Change the hard disk image path to the duplicate
image. (Note, this is not the "Default Folder for Virtual Machine" setting
you first see. It is the Hard Disk setting, lower on the Preferences
screen.)
4. Add a new hard disk via the Add button at the bottom of the screen. Set
the new hard disk's path to the original image. The purpose of this and the
above step is to boot from the duplicate disk, so that Windows can have full
access to the disk (original image) you wish to expand.
5. Boot up Windows. Windows will report that it has identified new hardware.
After that is finished, then navigate to Start -> Run. Type <DISKPART> (no
<chevrons> and no quotes), and press Run/Enter.
6. In the new window that appears type: <list volume> <return>
7. After that process runs, a list of disks appears. Notice that Volume 1
and Volume 2 look identical. Note: Volume 2 should be the original hard disk
image.
8. Select Volume 2 by typing: <select volume 2> <return>. Then extend it by
typing <extend> <return>. Once that is complete type <exit> <return>. Then
shut down Windows.
9. Before starting Windows, clean up the Virtual Machine preferences by
using the Parallels preferences to delete the second hard disk, and to
switch the Hard Disk 1 path back to the original hard disk image. You can
put the duplicated Win XP hard disk image into the Mac Trash.
10. Restart Windows. Rebooting may be necessary if Windows "detects new
hardware."
