Vista basic graphics problems

Discussion in 'Windows Virtual Machine' started by camden21, Jun 4, 2008.

  1. camden21

    camden21 Bit poster

    Messages:
    9
    Updated thread...

    I am running Vista (SP1) under parallels desktop 3 (5600 build), Parallel tools installed, without Boot Camp, but have found that parts of the Vista desktop do not display correctly. I have no graphics (clock etc) on the right side of the screen.

    The pre-installed Vista games (solitaire, minesweeper) do not work at all. clicking on each game I either get a pattern of colour within the file window or an error message offering online search for resources.

    File windows take about 5-10 seconds to display after clicking on their icons.

    I have an IMac 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, with 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, Nvidia Geforce 7600GT Graphics card. 100MB partition. Mac OS 10.5.3 (9D34)

    Vista grade my computer as 1, for graphics performance under Parallels.

    Is there a way improve the way Parallels handles simple graphics?

    I use Vista under Boot Camp for 3D games (Vista graphic rating 5.2 for same computer).

    I have tried the following:

    1) Un-installing and re-installing Parallels (last 3 builds) and Vista.
    2) Un-installing and re-installing tools plus updating tools.
    3) Increasing virtual RAM allocation to 4MB via Vista control panel.
    4) Increasing power settings to maximum within Vista.
    5) Increasing Main and video memory in Parallels (24" imac).
    6) Enabling DirectX shaders and /or enabling custom screen resolutions in Parallels.
    7) Disabling bitmap and other advanced graphics in Vista.

    None of these have helped.

    In Virtual Machine / Config. Editor / Video: 0 items (0 enabled) Is this normal?

    I have been getting cursor ghosts recently.

    I found that the ghosts go temporarily if you click on the Parallels headings at the top of the screen.

    I reported these problems via Vista problem reports and solutions.

    That threw back a compatibility issue between Vista and Parallels PCI Tool Device.

    Any ideas Parallels Team or other Forum users?

    Where do I get an 'up to date' version of Tools?


    Thank you.
     
  2. broadastsupport

    broadastsupport Bit poster

    Messages:
    7
    Vista SP1 no control panel V3 - 5584

    Control panel dos not work and slow graphics on a mac pro with 4 gig of ram, 2 for parallels. Vista does not boot any more from boot camp - only via parallels. it get stuck loading initial drivers before vista boots up. Launching control panel produces a hollow box that dies.
    Mike
     
  3. John@Parallels

    John@Parallels Forum Maven

    Messages:
    6,333
    Some tips:
    1. Make sure build is 5608
    2. Video card is VESA compatible video will be always rated 1
    3. Make sure DurectX Shaders are enabled (for games)
    4. Decrease Vista memory to 1 Gb
    5. Increase Video memory to 64 mb
    6. Lower Mac resolution
     
  4. broadastsupport

    broadastsupport Bit poster

    Messages:
    7
    Thanks for the advise however after upgrading parallels windows is corrupted although it did work initially. Tried windows boot from DVD and repair but no good? Parallels suggest running SP1 upgrade from bootcamp direct but thats too late. unfortunately I have been using it for outlook. Any suggestions would be great, I am running a 30" display.

    Regards Mike
     
  5. broadastsupport

    broadastsupport Bit poster

    Messages:
    7
    Windows failed to load because the firmware (bios) is not ACPI compatible.
    Booting in safe mode it sops at intelide.sys

    Any ideas - tried windows repairs using original DVD which did a restore but still no good?
     
  6. John@Parallels

    John@Parallels Forum Maven

    Messages:
    6,333
    Please make sure that OS type selected is Windows Vista
    Parallels Desktop -<Virtual Machine name>-Edit-Virtual Machine- Options
     
  7. broadastsupport

    broadastsupport Bit poster

    Messages:
    7
    Thanks John, that enables Windows Vista SP1 to boot from Parallels again now. Still locking up on direct Windows boot without Parallels. Also on loading via Parallels it looks like Parallels is still trying to finish an instal and on quitting it says boot camp windows XP was shut down abnormally while it was used via parallels desktop. Please boot into boot camp via parallels once again and shut Windows XP normally. still appears to refer to XP although vista selected?
     
  8. John@Parallels

    John@Parallels Forum Maven

    Messages:
    6,333
    About abnormal termination warning, I posted that we are aware of problem, and working to find out the problem, as for Vista - I need BSOD screenshot or error
     
  9. broadastsupport

    broadastsupport Bit poster

    Messages:
    7
    VISTA ULTIMATE SP1 OEM not compatible Leopard Boot Camp

    After upgrading a working copy Vista Ultimate OEM configuration to SP1 via Parallels, Boot Camp boot does not work. Initially I upgraded directly from Boot Camp and Vista deactivated due to driver configuration changes. Also Microsoft office deactivated too. Had a bit of time convincing Microsoft that I wasn't a pirate and they eventually put me in touch with some one in tech support who helped me reset the windows reactivation method for activate by phone which was previously producing an invalid activation code - network settings through parallels not working at this point so could not re-activate over the internet. Currently with the latest Apple updates and Parallels 5608 Vista Ultimate will boot from Parallels but not via Boot Camp which is a problem fro me because I want to use Sony Vegas Pro 8 for editing without OSX running. Parallels gets the impression there is an incomplete installation which brings up the Parallels initialization waning message on startup and another warning at the end to say that the virtual machine did not exit properly. Control panel will not open - empty box that auto closes after 5 secs. Can anyone comment on the following link which might be the issue suggesting ultimate SP1 Bitlocker? http://apcmag.com/vista_sp1_wont_install_on_dualboot_systems_microsoft.htm
    I guess I need to contact Microsoft again?
     
  10. John@Parallels

    John@Parallels Forum Maven

    Messages:
    6,333
    We will check it, please wait
     
  11. broadastsupport

    broadastsupport Bit poster

    Messages:
    7
    Vista Ultimate SP1 OEM not working properly no control panel

    Hello John, do you have any news for me or is it likely to take some time?
     
  12. John@Parallels

    John@Parallels Forum Maven

    Messages:
    6,333
    The solution is quit similar to Windows XP SP3 problem for problems in Boot Camp
    1. Slipstream SP1 in Windows Vista SP1 (not easy task), so you try to use without it
    2. Boot from Windows CD, and perform repair installation
    3. Uninstall Boot Camp,install again from Leopard DVD, upgrade to Boot Cam 2.1
    4. Install Windows SP1
    5. Start Mac OS and Parallels Desktop - do not start Virtual Machine, but access Configuration Editor- Hard disk1 - Advanced -and click Clear to remove Parallels Desktop information from Boot Camp
    6. Start Parallels Desktop- reinstall Parallels Tools
     
  13. broadastsupport

    broadastsupport Bit poster

    Messages:
    7
    Incompatibility Vista Ultimate SP1

    Still no joy with bootcamp 2.1 etc, can't open vista control panel within parallels or boot directly from bootcamp. Stops at intelide.sys in safe mode. Is there a general issue with Vista Ultimate SP1 and Bootcamp / bitlocker - forumns suggest there might be?
     
  14. Specimen

    Specimen Product Expert

    Messages:
    3,236
    Uh Oh... Bitlocker? If the partition is encrypted Parallels probably can't correctly use MacFuse to read and write to it? (I'm just guessing).
     
  15. John@Parallels

    John@Parallels Forum Maven

    Messages:
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    Last edited: Aug 6, 2008

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