Windows 7:Bootcamp first and then link to Parallels? (or other way around works too?)

[doxavita]

If I buy Windows 7 and Parallels.

Should I install Windows 7 (through Bootcamp: for gaming purposes) first and then link that partition/installation to Parallels?

Or the other way around works too? Install Parallels then Windows 7 (through Parallels) and then somehow link that to Bootcamp, would that also be possible? (Always the same Windows 7 license)

I'm new to all this, so your advice will be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Quad5Ny]

You want to install everything in Boot Camp first and get all the drivers/updates loaded. Only after you do that, do you want to import your Boot Camp partition into Parallels Desktop.

If you have activation issues read this KB article - http://kb.parallels.com/en/9703


Remember if your using Parallels & Boot Camp together. ALWAYS Shut down Windows completely before switching between the two (Don't use Suspend or Hibernate).

 

[doxavita]

And can I install it only in Parallels first, (which is where I'll be using Windows 7 most of the time) and LATER on if I decide to run a game in Bootcamp, do that installation after?

 

[doxavita]

OK, so how would it all work? what should I read? If I install in bootcamp first, can I resize the partition later? Once I install it via bootcamp, how can I link it to Parallels? & I can still write to the partition? If I don't press a key at boot then I won't see any OS menus? (don't want any annoying menus each time I restart/boot my system). I'm new to all this, so your help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[tomllama]

If you install via Parallels, it will create an ISO file in your normal OSX disk space that is where it installs Win7. You will not be able to transfer this installation to bootcamp. So, if you install in Parallels first, you will end up with two different installations of Win7 on your computer that can not interact.

If you install in bootcamp first, you will create an NTFS partition and install Win7 there. You can tell Parallels to use the bootcamp partition and you will then share the same installation of windows. This way all files will be shared and if you want to boot into Win7 for games you can but if you only want to do something simple via Parallels you can do it without rebooting and you will be sharing the same files between the two.

Save yourself the effort later, install it via bootcamp first. Yes you can resize the partition later (bigger if you need it is MUCH easier than trying to shrink).

 

[doxavita]

And if I first install Windows 7 in BootCamp, and then link it to Parallels, can I still install all the "Parallels Tools" & the Parallels "Antivirus" that comes with the program?

 

[tomllama]

Yes.

You first install Win7 via bootcamp, do all the updates to Win7 and the boot camp drivers.

Once everything is working as you desire via bootcamp, you install Parallels and tell it to use your bootcamp partition. It will then automatically add all the parallels tools and other bits required by parallels. You will need to reactivate Win7 in parallels at the end of the parallels install.

 

[doxavita]

You will need to reactivate Win7 in parallels at the end of the parallels install.

So how many times do I need to activate? Can I install Win 7 through Boot Camp, activate it, and then link that to Parallels? (does that work?) or I have to avoid activating anything at all in the first place, just link to Parallels, and then bother with activations? Has anybody experienced this issue: http://kb.parallels.com/en/9703 before? Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[balamw]

So how many times do I need to activate? Can I install Win 7 through Boot Camp, activate it, and then link that to Parallels? (does that work?) or I have to avoid activating anything at all in the first place, just link to Parallels, and then bother with activations? Has anybody experienced this issue: http://kb.parallels.com/en/9703 before? Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Whatever you do, you still run some risk in triggering reactivation.

With VMWare, I had a fully working Boot Camp/Fusion setup that worked for close to a year until VMWare Tools did an update and it broke my activation. Had to reactivate both sides.

I would suggest following the path in the KB article for minimum risk.

B

 

[doxavita]

Whatever you do, you still run some risk in triggering reactivation.

With VMWare, I had a fully working Boot Camp/Fusion setup that worked for close to a year until VMWare Tools did an update and it broke my activation. Had to reactivate both sides.

I would suggest following the path in the KB article for minimum risk.

B

a. The worst that can happen is it will ask for a key twice? or does this involve reactivation over and over nonstop? would this be fixed by calling Microsoft? or is this also a glitch?
There's nothing to worry about?

b. Found this thread: http://forum.parallels.com/showthread.php?t=16064&bootcamp+activation
although it's dated September 8, 2007, this is far too technical for me. Do you think the issue has been fixed by now? (for Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac)