How to Remove VM & Save Win XP

B

Bonedoggie

Bit poster
I have a problem, and I am up against the clock (sort of). I purchased a new Macbook two weeks ago, and immediately loved it. I had been on a G4 Titanium a long time. I purchased Parallels because I have two PC apps I use at work and was able to eliminate my PC there completely - a good thing. Parallels works great for me. But, the Macbook became problematic - the keyboard & trackpad freezing unexpectedly. Apple has agreed to replace the Macbook, and I have the FexEx paperwork in hand, but I need to remove the Windows XP installation, such that I can use it on my new Macbook when it arrives.

I have purchased an OEM version of XP, so it is not transferable as far as Microsoft is concerned (I posted in the Bootcamp forum to learn this). If I try to register it, I will not be able to and will need to purchase XP again. {Insert rude comment about Microsoft here} Since I am returning the Macbook without XP, I am not trying to get anything for free here. I paid for the XP version I have.

I contacted Parallels Support, and they indicated that I "MAY" be able to copy off to external media the VM(.hdd and .pvs files). Then when I reinstall Parallels/WIndows, copy these over. They were not specific about where I could find these files or when/where I copy them back. Can anyone in this forum with experience doing this help? What do I copy out, where do I find it, and when do I copy it back in when reinstalling on the new Macbook?

I would like to get this current machine wiped so I can send it back to Apple and get my new one.
 
1. Open the Parallels tool and select your virtual machine. Don't start it.
2. Choose edit, and record all the parameters you have set differently than default or standard. This can be done with pen and notepad or by image grabbing.
3. Now open the Windows VM (start it). We are just ensuring it was not suspended.
4. Now shut down Windows normally using the Start menu. Do not suspend the VM. Exit Parallels.
5. In your home directory in OS X there is a Library folder. In that folder is a Parallels folder. Copy the entire folder to a CD or DVD.
6. Print or burn to CD the information you captured in 2.
7. Rename the Parallels folder in the Library to Parallels.orig
8. Copy the Parallels folder from CD to the Library folder. We're going to verify your copies are valid.
9. Start Parallels and load the VM (this will now load your copy). If it loads and runs normally then you can shut it all down and delete all the Parallels folders in the Library folder.
10. Go to the Applications folder and open the Parallels folder. If you have an uninstall icon, select it and uninstall Parallels. If there is no uninstall icon then go up one level and drag the Parallels folder to the trash can.
11. Write down your Parallels license code on paper! You will need it again.
 
You could also just use an external hard drive and clone the entire OS X partition over to it using carbon copy cloner or equivalent. That way you can boot up and use parallels as soon as the new MBP arrives.
 
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