The computer virtualization software, Parallels Desktop, that many Mac genealogists use to run Windows genealogy applications has been updated. The new release is described as containing bugfixes and improvements. The information provided during the upgrade describes the following changes:
Bugfixes and improvements in Parallels Desktop 4.0 Update (build 4.0.3540)
Improvements in the upgrade procedure:
- BSOD in Boot Camp with the “Autocheck not found” message followed by the session manager crash – fixed.
Note: If you see this BSOD in the release version of Parallels Desktop 4.0, open the virtual machine configuration and click OK. This will prevent this BSOD in the virutal machine and the Boot Camp partition.- BSOD with the “0xA5” message during the virtual machine upgrade – fixed.
Note: If you get this BSOD in the release version of Parallels Desktop 4.0, convert the backup copy of your virtual machine. Before convering the copy create one more backup copy of it.- Windows stops on boot during the upgrade without any crashes – fixed.
Note: If this error occurs in the release version of Parallels Desktop 4.0, convert the backup copy of your virtual machine. Before convering the copy, create one more backup copy of it. Alternatively, you may add the “vm.compat_level=2” string to Virtual Machine Configuration > CPU > System Flags (make sure that the “show advanced settings” option is selected).- Virtual machine crashes on start after the conversion – fixed.
- Possible causes of BSOD in intelppm.sys and agp440.sys – fixed.
- Mouse is not available when upgrading a virtual machine that was originally created with Microsoft Virtual PC – fixed.
- The sound is disabled in Windows XP virtual machines after the upgrade – fixed.
- Hard disk cannot use the Boot Camp partition after the upgrade – fixed.
Note: If this error occurs in the release version of Parallels Desktop 4.0, open the virtual machine configuration and click OK.- The message “Failed to configure the Boot Camp partition” appears after the upgrade – fixed.
Note: If this error occurs in the release version of Parallels Desktop 4.0, open the virtual machine configuration and click OK.Other improvements:
- At times Parallels networking drivers don’t start after the restart of Mac OS X – fixed.
- Copy-paste operations may fail in some cases when the virtual machine is in Coherence – fixed.
- Copy-paste operations may fail in some cases when non-text data is being copied to Windows – fixed.
- Inability to switch to a Windows application using Application Switcher when the virtual machine is in Coherence – fixed.
- Redundant network icons appear in the Mac OS menubar after switching between the view modes – fixed.
- Mac applications stay on top of Windows applications in Coherence – fixed.
- USB performance improved, including the ability to sync iPhone with iTunes installed in Windows.
- Dispatcher service binding to all network addresses on port TCP 64000 – fixed.
- The ability to suspend a Boot Camp virtual machine was removed, because this operation may damage the Boot Camp partition.
- .NET applications menus drawing in Coherence – improved.
- Crashes in virtual machine monitor and the application based on the statistics received through the problem reports – fixed.
To get the update, launch Parallels Desktop while connected to the Internet. You will be asked whether you want the update or not.
I really appreciate your expertise, and have a question relating to sharing genealogical information using your aliasing of common resources. If I use my OSX to make a CD/DVD with my files on my family, including aliases to source records, will my PC family members see the correct referenced file when they try to view the source records?
Thanks so much.
Hi Cynthia! Unfortunately Windows doesn't support the super handy feature of file and folder aliases, so your PC family members will see empty files instead of functional aliases. The files will be named whatever you called the alias files and or folders, but they won't take them anywhere.
If you append a source number code to file name as I recommend in my article on finding aliases and originals it will make things easier on your PC using family. When they come across an empty file they can make note of the source number and use the Windows search feature to find the original file with the same code. I know it's not an elegant solution like we Mac users demand, but these are Windows users, so they're used to kludges.
Hello Ben,
Thanks so much for your articles on managing files. I used your advice their to do something similar with my Photos and so far its been been great. All those vintage photos and how to organize them . . . .
I have a question, being a newbie to Mac (one year) and genealogy (1 /12 years). If I insist on running Family Tree Maker as well as Reunion, which is the best way to do that. I have a partitioned hard drive on my Mac and have been running FTM on the PC side which means a restart everytime I need to switch back and forth. I would love to just be able to run FTM on the Mac side and be done with this restart business. Is there a way to do this.
Is there a way to leave kudos so you do rise to the level of LeisterPro radar?
Patti Wilcox
Hi, Patti. You absolutely can run FTM without rebooting by using “virtual computer” software. I wrote about the topic in this article. Let me know if you have any questions after having a look.