How to backup a parallels virtual machine?

[mmjr2000]

Hi,
I know this may sound stupid. I want to make a backup of my Parallels virtual machine and wasn't sure if there was a specific way of doing this?

My current location of my Parallels virtual machine is located in: Documents > Parallels

Could I just copy the .pvm file to a external hard drive? or is there a specific way of doing this?

Thanks for any advice and help.

 

[mmjr2000]

I guess the above question answers my own question.

However I have a few questions that kind of relate to the question above.

1.) When making a copy of the .pvm and restoring why does it want to load coherence all the time? Is this a bug?
- I have my Options > Startup and Shutdown > Startup View: Same as last time. I don't see why the copy can't remember that? In order for me to prevent it from starting up in coherence I have to change it to Window. Any ideas, suggestions?

2.) Sometimes when going into coherence mode, why does the stupid windows taskbar appear? I know you can turn this off but I think this is the most annoying ever. Another bug?

- I have seen all these updates for Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac but honestly I'm not sure what these updates are doing as far as not fixing the most important.

Once again thanks for any advice and help.

 

[NormanLy]

I use Time Machine to back up my Mac. If I have trouble with a virtual machine I just delete its .pvm file and copy it from backup. That usually throws me back a month or so causing Windows Update to set to work for an hour or so. Works every time though without the issues reported by mmjr2000.