Forward: Crossover Issue

[ZiggyPastorius]

I moved this to this part of the forum from Mac Basics and Help, since it fits here better.

I FINALLY got my Macbook and I could not be happier! However, I installed the free trial of Crossover, in the hopes that I'd like it, and I would buy the full version. However, all is not well... I have a copy of Microsoft Office, and a copy of Finale 2007, as well as Steam, some games, et cetera...I really don't want to install Windows on my machine, but it seems I may have to. I tried using Crossover, and the most I managed to do was get Finale to start, then it messed up. It wasn't making or opening or whatevering the "bottles" correctly (not that I even know what they're for...) and when I installed Steam, I couldn't find it anywhere on my drive. It kept crashing, and it even made me have to restart the computer by force (as it wouldn't let me quit Crossover, as it was working, and wouldn't let me shut down, as Crossover wouldn't let it.) I tried reinstalling it and doing it again, but to no avail. Does anybody know how to get Crossover to work well and what I'm doing wrong? Maybe they can even explain to me what it's doing and such. I really don't want to install Windows on my machine, and I don't want to have to reboot constantly to take notes in class, or use Finale. I also already own MS Office and I need publisher, so the mac version is not an option. Any help would be appreciated. Also, please don't recommend parallels or VM programs, as those will be a last resort..

BUT! On a lighter note, everything else on my Macbook is beautiful and I'm so excited to do more on it. Thanks everyone in the forums for the help leading me to my decision and wish me luck Installing Logic Express right now.

 

[synth3tik]

Sorry to say, but crossover is only good for a few, usually smaller apps. It is really nice, but with only an application calling up only needed windows functions it can get really nuts. Best bet would be to use VMware or Parallels.

BTW, why not just run Office for Mac. That would at least solve one of you app problems.

 

[ZiggyPastorius]

Running Office for Mac works for part of what I need, but I need Publisher to be compatible with the other computers involved in the creation of the school newspaper. I've noted it can get kind of bothersome. I managed to get Steam to work, but some other problems are arising. Also, I tried the demo of Parallels and I couldn't figure it out at all...I installed Windows in it, it went through the setup and simulated a restart, but then, it wasn't there, it just went back to the install Windows screen again. I removed the CD and tried restarting the program, but to no avail, no OS detected. Anyone mind telling me how to work it correctly?