Parallels, Bootcamp, and DNS

jazzpsy · Feb 1, 2007

I have been using Dragon NaturallySpeaking v 8.1 on my MacBook Pro with windows XP and boot camp. The voice recognition software is working well but I would like to try parallels so I don't have to reboot.

Do I have to uninstall DNS and XP and then reinstall them on the virtual machine or can I access boot camp from the virtual machine without rebooting into Windows XP?

jazzpsy

joem · Feb 1, 2007

If you want to run beta software, the latest beta will allow you to run your bootcamp partition as a virtual disk in a VM. This isn't recommended for production since it's beta and unsupported.

You will have to activate XP again in Parallels.

You could install XP and DNS in a VM and have two copies on your machine if you like too. There's no need to uninstall unless you need the space.

So you can have it any way you like it. Savor that -- it's rare in this world. <grin>

jazzpsy · Feb 2, 2007

joem said:
If you want to run beta software, the latest beta will allow you to run your bootcamp partition as a virtual disk in a VM. This isn't recommended for production since it's beta and unsupported.

You will have to activate XP again in Parallels.

You could install XP and DNS in a VM and have two copies on your machine if you like too. There's no need to uninstall unless you need the space.

So you can have it any way you like it. Savor that -- it's rare in this world. <grin>

When you mention "beta software" are you referring to bootcamp? I have been using DNS in bootcamp (first version) for months without any problems-except I have to be sure that I have my USB mic plugged in before opening DNS and when I shut down Windows, to avoid a system repair process when I next boot up in bootcamp,I have to use the mouse rather than just turning off the machine with the power button.

Since I have to install Windows XP and can install DNS in Parallels, what is the advantage of keeping the boot camp partition? And do I have to upgrade bootcamp to the latest beta version? Very rarely do I use Windows XP other then for my voice to text dictation.