Win xp freezes / slow

N

norm99

Bit poster
Build number: 5608
Mac OS X 10.5.x Leopard on a MacBook Pro
running Windows XP Professional

When I boot win xp it is extremely slow almost frozen. It was working fine until I did a windows update and since then it hangs on boot. The win xp screen inside the parallels desktop is longer and wider than the actual screen (it has scroll bars on side and bottom) I have uninstalled the windows updates but it still gives me the same problem. I have updated Parallels to build 5608. I do not have snapshot to roll back to. any idea what the problem is and how to fix it?
Thanks
 
As a first step, try to reinstall Parallels Tools.
Also please check in device manager that Video card is not disabled (x mark on it)- if yes enable it
 
John@Parallels said:
As a first step, try to reinstall Parallels Tools.
Also please check in device manager that Video card is not disabled (x mark on it)- if yes enable it
Click to expand...

I tried to install Parallels Tools. After waiting 10 minutes for the setup to start I stopped the virtual machine and tried to restart Windows, now it gives me an error "Aproblem has prevented windows from accurately checking the license for this computer. To proceed your copy of windows must be activated with Microsoft. Do you want to activate windows now? Yes No" As far as checking anything in device manager it was impossible. The last time I tried to get to an application such as this it took several HOURS. I appreciate the effort but now it is in worse condition than when I started. A resolution would help.
Norman
 
Please check also this steps (at least those on mac OS side)

1. Set memory for Virtual Machine to less than 1 GB
2. Perform Mac and Windows side disk defragmentation http://www.xvsxp.com/system/system_tools_defrag.php
3. Set Adjust memory limit from Auto to Manual at Parallels Desktop -Preferences-Memory, and set limit a bit more higher than VM memory
4. Disable Themes in Windows XP serives.msc stop Themes service
5. If you are running in Coherence, try to switch to Single Window, or lower Mac resolution
6. Some antivirus software can load CPU when Heuristic Prediction is set, or Tamper protection (Symantec, MacAffey), adjust settings to risk you are supposed, high security settings is not always good idea, as it can also affect software running
7. Run msconfig , and disable unneeded startup items
See http://www.netsquirrel.com/msconfig/msconfig_xp.html
8. Make sure that no VNC,or remote desktop connection is established to Mac, this can slowdown Parallels Desktop
 
Memory is set at 820mb. Memory limits are adjusted. There is no antivirus running. I am running in single window. No VNC or remote desktop.
After attempting to install parallels tools I cannot get windows to boot at all to disable themes or anything else. Windows tells me it has to be activated before it can continue. It will not activate.
 
That was causing the slowness, activate Windows, either by calling Microsoft, or using Shared Network, it soould connect to Microsoft Clearing house automatically
 
I don't think so since I activated windows when I first installed it. Windows has been installed for some time now and has been working just fine until I did a windows update and tried to change the resolution of the screen (see above) Since then it would boot but then freeze. It did not give me the activation error until I attempted to reinstall parallels tools like John told me to. Since then it will not boot at all, part way through it pops up the error about must activate windows. I appreciate the suggestions but the speculation on the problem has only made the situation worse. Has anyone else not had this problem? What was the issue? I need some informed solutions to restore my system that had been working previously.
Thanks
Norman
 
Not sure what do you mean speculation?
That was causing slowness is answer to
>>Memory is set at 820mb. Memory limits are adjusted.

our recommendation is
3. Set Adjust memory limit from Auto to Manual at Parallels Desktop -Preferences-Memory, and set limit a bit more higher than VM memory
 
I Have set Adjust memory limit from Auto to Manual at Parallels Desktop -Preferences-Memory, and set limit a bit more higher than VM memory. It has NO effect--it still does not work.
 
This is for slowness only, see other steps also
1. Set memory for Virtual Machine to less than 1 GB
2. Perform Mac and Windows side disk defragmentation http://www.xvsxp.com/system/system_tools_defrag.php
3. Set Adjust memory limit from Auto to Manual at Parallels Desktop -Preferences-Memory, and set limit a bit more higher than VM memory
4. Disable Themes in Windows XP serives.msc stop Themes service
5. If you are running in Coherence, try to switch to Single Window, or lower Mac resolution
6. Some antivirus software can load CPU when Heuristic Prediction is set, or Tamper protection (Symantec, MacAffey), adjust settings to risk you are supposed, high security settings is not always good idea, as it can also affect software running
7. Run msconfig , and disable unneeded startup items
See http://www.netsquirrel.com/msconfig/msconfig_xp.html
8. Make sure that no VNC,or remote desktop connection is established to Mac, this can slowdown Parallels Desktop

As for activation, you need to either call Microsoft to activate it by phone, or setting network connection for VM to Shared Networking allow Windows to contact Microsoft Clearing house.

You can check connection if you boot to Safe Mode with Networking
 
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