Parallels 6

[stairclimber113]

I have a new IMac (10.6.5) and I have installed Parallels 6 so that I can run a virtual Windows XP operating system. I did not have a boot disk for XP because my old Dell came loaded with it and did not provide the disk. I do have the registration key.

I downloaded an XP boot disk from Bootdisk.com and used disk utilities to create an .iso CD. The CD boot files are in drive A and the utilities are seen as drive R. Parallels does not recognize this as a boot disk and keeps giving me an A prompt where it seems to want me to enter something.

Does anyone have any experience with virtual machines?

[Buzz]

You need a full install of Windows to use Parallels, not simply a boot disk. Your machine is a Mac and by default won't boot straight to Windows. In addition, Parallels works after the Mac Boot so your'e bypassing boot for Parallels anyway.

[stairclimber113]

Thank you Scott. I purchased a student version of Windows 7 but then found out it was an upgrade and not a full addition. I feel caught between two Microsoft OS's. I have purchased both but really can't use either one for the VM. Is my only alternative to buy a full version of Windows 7?

[Buzz]

Well, you do need a full version, not an upgrade. I don't know of any way to get around that.

You might try returning the upgrade in exchange for a full version... if it's the same retailer MAYBE they'll help, but we all know software returns are pretty hard to get away with.