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Installing Win XP on Parallels (Mac OS X)
My recent purchase of a shiny new MacBook Pro - as great as it is - left me with a large pile of Windows-based applications. Whilst the inbuilt functionality of OS X made up for a couple of them, and there were quite a few that rarely saw much use; the few remaining ones were enough to grab Parallels, and install XP on the Mac.
Before you get too upset, XP certainly doesn't replace OS X - Parallels is a VMM (virtual machine manager). XP runs in its own window, and switching between it and the main OS X desktop is only a keyboard shortcut away. A very good setup.
On to the setup itself. I'll cover the installation of various Win XP applications later, but for now a basic XP setup will get you going. Time to grab a couple of discs (the installation discs for both Win XP and Parallels), a cup of coffee and put aside 15-20 minutes or so.
The installation itself takes the form of 6 stages, which are as follows :
Software update
First things first. Make sure your Mac is up to date ( -> Software Update). Download and install any firmware or OS updates.
Install Parallels
The Quick Start Guide that comes with Parallels should be enough to complete a standard installation (it really isn't more complicated than inserting the CD and following the instructions). Don't bother creating a new VM yet, we'll do that it a minute.
Update Parallels
Before creating a VM and installing XP, check for any updates to the Parallels software (Help -> Check for Updates). Download and install them as directed.
Install XP
Create a Typical VM as per the Quick Start Guide. Select your CD/DVD drive as directed. Insert the XP disc, follow the instructions at the start, and sit back.
Clone default XP install Once the XP install is finished, use the Clone option (VM -> Clone VM) to duplicate the basic XP install. This will save you having to reinstall XP if/when it requires a clean start. Install Parallels tools The tools allow you to share folders between the XP VM and the Mac OS X desktop; in addition to improving mouse and video performance in XP. Install them using VM -> Install Parallels Tools. That's it. You now have a fully functioning (and fast) XP installation on your Mac.
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