Parallels Workstation (Virtualization) software (#4): Version 2.1b4 released; No way to migrate Virtual PC disks
Version 2.1b4 released Parallels Workstation 2.1b4 has been introduced, bringing the following significant feature enhancements:
- Introduced full screen mode
- Introduced dual-monitor support
- Improved real CD/DVD support
- Improved, easier to use interface.
- Better sound support, including a fix for Windows 2000 guest OS
- Networking kernel panics resolved
- Bridged networking issues fixed
- WiFi networking issues fixed
- Fixed some of the issues encountered when entering "Sleep" mode when a VM is running
- Many other minor bug fixes
For more information, and a download, visit VersionTracker's Parallels Workstation product page.
No way to migrate Virtual PC disks One MacFixIt reader inquired about migration of Virtual PC Windows disks to Parallels.
Jim Saklad writes:
"I asked Parallels a question: I plan to get a MacBook Pro later in 2006; I presently have a PPC-based G4 Powerbook.
"I have Virtual PC with Windows 2000 Pro. Is there, or will there be, a method to migrate from VPC to Parallels?
"That is, could the 'hard-file' Windows drive representing W2000 under VPC be imported somehow into Parallels, for use on an Intel Mac, or would W2000, and all the software running under it, have to be re-installed from scratch?
"and received the following response:
"Unfortunately, at the moment in Parallels Workstation there is no possibility to work with virtual machines from other software. Therefore you will have to re-install your Windows 2000 in Parallels Workstation."
Previous coverage
- Parallels Workstation (Virtualization) software (#3): 2.1b2 released; Notes from an in-house engineer
- Parallels Virtualization software (#2): Selecting the optical drive; Using function keys; Benchmarks; more
- Parallels Virtualization software debuts: Allows simultaneous running of Windows XP and Mac OS X
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<i>Is it possible to convert a third-party virtual machine to a Parallels virtual
machine?<br>
You can use disk image save/restore software like Norton Ghost or Acronis
TrueImage to export the operating system from third-party VM and import it to
Parallels. An ?out of the box? conversion utility is in scope for future versions of
Parallels Workstation.</i><br>
So maybe in the future they'll be able to import VPC VMs... it would make a lot
of sense for them to devote some resources to that end.