RAM settings for Windows 7

[David Pentuin]

Hi:

I'm using Parallels 4 on a Macbook with 2GB RAM at 2GHz running Leopard 10.5.8. I want to set up a Windows 7 Professional Virtual Machine, but have a couple of questions:

1. Should I use the 32-bit or the 64-bit version? I have the disks for both, but thought since the amount of memory isn't huge I might be better off with 32 bit.

2. How do I allocate the RAM for the Virtual Machine. Since I'm uncertain about using Boot Camp to boot directly into Windows 7 (because it's apparently not supported in this version of Boot Camp) I think I'll have to share RAM between the two OSes, right? Or can I just assign all of the RAM to the VM? What would be optimum?

3. Are there any other outstanding issues related to 7 Pro VMs? Can I get by with assigning 60 GB disk space. I think that's about all I can afford on a 250 GB drive, but I might be able to clear a little more space.

 

[desgael]

1. Should I use the 32-bit or the 64-bit version? I have the disks for both, but thought since the amount of memory isn't huge I might be better off with 32 bit.

This completely depends on the Mac OS configuration. From what you have provided, I would also suggest a 32-bit one.
However, you can actually try both of them.

2. How do I allocate the RAM for the Virtual Machine. Since I'm uncertain about using Boot Camp to boot directly into Windows 7 (because it's apparently not supported in this version of Boot Camp) I think I'll have to share RAM between the two OSes, right? Or can I just assign all of the RAM to the VM? What would be optimum?

As long as you run Windows through Parallels (which means - from the Mac OS side), the RAm would have to be shared.
Check the documentation on how to set up the memory:
http://download.parallels.com/desktop/v4/docs/en/Parallels_Desktop_Users_Guide/22626.htm
And make sure that some RAM is left for the Mac OS to work properly.

3. Are there any other outstanding issues related to 7 Pro VMs? Can I get by with assigning 60 GB disk space. I think that's about all I can afford on a 250 GB drive, but I might be able to clear a little more space.

Just make sure that the virtual hard disk is expanding:
http://download.parallels.com/desktop/v4/docs/en/Parallels_Desktop_Users_Guide/22437.htm
This will make it possible to increase it later if would be needed.

 

[David Pentuin]

Thanks. It is expanding. Some odd stuff happened during the installation, but seems to be working OK. For some reason in hung up when I entered my product key. After trying it several times I just erased it and hit "next" and it just went on with the installation. Not sure why that happened.