Parallel causing my Mac to lag/run extremely slow

A

AlbertMoy

Bit poster
I've had Parallel Desktop before (maybe a month ago) and everything was perfect with it. (I believe that was the last beta it was in) Than one day, it just started acting up on me and ran EXTREMELY slow and caused my whole Mac to run extremely slow. Since I didn't use it that much, I uninstalled it. Recently, I needed to run some Windows program, so I installed it again. While attempting to install Windows in Parallel, again, it was running extremely slow, both Parallel and my Mac. When I installed it this time, I had the minimum programs on. I had Activity Monitor on, and during installation, was using 103% of the CPU ...forgot about the memory. So I left it alone and let it do its thing and than it finally installed and etc.

The problem I have is that when I have Parallels on now, it just lags my whole system. When Parallel is on and I'm not doing anything on it, than it's fine. I'm not sure if it's just Parallel or if my Mac needs more memory though... When Parallel is on, its using abou 500MB of my memory and 30% of the CPU.

My Macbook is the 2GHz Dual Core, with 1GB in memory. I have about 25GB free on my HDD. So is this a problem with Parallel or do I just need more memory? Or do I need to run some more tests?

Any help would be great!
Thanks
 
well .. bear in mind that your running 2 OS's in 1GB of RAM. Reardless of what it is doing, it consumes the memory its allocated in the config. Try dropping your VM down to 256mb (should be fine unless youre doing something intensive) and let osx have the other 700 odd..
 
darkone said:
well .. bear in mind that your running 2 OS's in 1GB of RAM. Reardless of what it is doing, it consumes the memory its allocated in the config. Try dropping your VM down to 256mb (should be fine unless youre doing something intensive) and let osx have the other 700 odd..
Click to expand...
If you are going to get more RAM now is the time to do it... You want ~1GB for OS X.4.* usually... Now with a virtual machine on top of it, you will need some more, what about getting a second GB? I won't get a computer for OS X unless it has a min. of 2 GB of RAM. If you can't get more for budget reasons, fool around with the two memory vars until you have an acceptable combination.
 
That's kind of what I thought. I just wanted to make sure it was because of the memory allocation/1GB of RAM that was causing the problem and not because of the program itself - only because when I first began to use it, I had no problems - but than again - when I first began to use it, I didn't have much programs on my Mac.

I'll put the WinXP to 256MB and see what happens first.
$175 for a second 1GB RAM does bite... If Apple didn't use 2x512 on my current one, than i could have just bought an extra stick of 1GB and install it myself.

Thanks
 
That price is apple price, right? We got 2x2 GB for about double that and change.

Go through Crucial.com or similar party.... You can get 2x1GB for less than that price ($150). Then sell your original RAM on eBay for about $30 if it is worth your time.
 
Hmmm interesting...

Is it hard to open up the MB and replace the RAM? I've done hardware repairs/replacements before but only on desktops...I've never worked with laptops before. Once it's open, I shouldn't have a problem. I guess it's more than opening part - it's pretty straight forward and simple right?

If that's the case, maybe I'll go that route...save myself the $25 + ~$30 by selling the RAM... $55 or so ... definitely worth my time since it shouldn't take long to replace them.
 
Well, I haven't needed to do it to our spankin' new MBPs yet... But I was assured it would be an easy upgrade when I want the full 3 GB from the 2 GB we have standard in our office. I have opened up my PB just for kicks and it looked straightforward.

Apple has some instructions if you do a google, or find a video on YouTube if you don't want to just figure it out yourself. The only hitch I have heard of is that you need to push pretty hard to install the DIMMs.

Anyway, let me know if things go smoothly if/after you do that.
 
AlbertMoy said:
Hmmm interesting...

Is it hard to open up the MB and replace the RAM? I've done hardware repairs/replacements before but only on desktops...I've never worked with laptops before. Once it's open, I shouldn't have a problem. I guess it's more than opening part - it's pretty straight forward and simple right?
Click to expand...

Changing RAM on a Macbook is dead easy. I've done it. Apple has good instructions with pictures. You shut down, remove the battery, remove a little metal door, and pop the old RAM out by pressing two levers. No need to open the motherboard.

You need a high quality tiny Philips (+) screwdriver to remove three tiny screws on the access door. #0 or even #00. Don't try to do it with a cheap screwdriver or you are likely to strip the tiny screw slots. And press firmly when you start to turn the screws. You may find it easier with a jeweller type screwdriver that has a rotating rear pad. (That's for my first generation Macbook. They may have better screws on the latest ones.)

You can also change the hard drive just as easily after removing that same door. I did that last week to upgrade from my original 80 MB to a new 160MB SATA drive. Then I put the old drive in an external case. With Super Duper, there was no problem cloning the old drive to the new one. If you plan on doing that, get a T8 Torx screwdriver so that you can remove the caddy (with pull tab) from the old drive and put it on the new one.

I recommend printing Apple's instructions before you start on either RAM or drive replacement.
 
Sounds great.

Just got home - Turned Parallel's memory down to 256 and the lag is gone, so that's good. Still not as fast as I would hope in Mac but that's probably why I need to get the 2GB of RAM. Was hoping I didn't need to spend an extra $150 or so to add (a little short on money in a sense - well kind of) but I'm glad that problem was solved.

Thanks a lot guys!
You guys have been such a great help.
I'm going to look into Crucial - but I'm going to check Newegg to see if I can find any other great deals or bargains.

I'm assuming the brand name does make a difference too so I shouldn't just go for any no-name brand?
 
Well, make sure it is Apple-approved RAM if you have a protection plan. Apple is usually pretty good at honoring support, but bad RAM can do crazy things to your computer, and I have heard it can cause issues if you send your computer in for repair.

Also, make sure you get full-speed RAM... It DOES make a difference, it is not just the 'graphic pros' and 'gamers' who notice the difference. It even matters for simple web browsing.

I strongly recommend pairing your RAM, it might even be required, it makes a slightly noticeable speed difference... Plus it helps the long-term pricing as well.

Play with it for a few days, and since you are 'kindave short on money', just see if it will not do until you don't feel like you are pressuring the bank balance...

Glad the lag is gone.

Cheers!
 
AlbertMoy said:
Thanks

Well I'm not that bad in shape in terms of finance..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233050

How's that BTW? I know for Windows, Corsair was good. No reason why they shouldn't for Macs right? Does anyone know any other great deals on 2GB? Thank!
Click to expand...

Kingston and Crucial both have RAM certified to work in Macs, and they both have online tools to tell you what part number for each Mac model. Probably so so others. Don't go for the cheapest price that looks like about the right spec. Kingston's ValueRAM, for example, is NOT guaranteed to work in Macs, but their better RAM is.
 
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