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holyghost · May 31, 2006, 03:29 AM

Hi

I'm trying to use Parallels to have apps running concurrently under both OS X and XP whilst being able to exchange files between them. So, simply put, an OS X app needs to be able to write a file to disk which an XP app of mine needs to be able to read, and visa versa. I'm running a new MacBook Pro (2.0 with 2Gb RAM) and have today purchased XP and downloaded Parallels. At first I installed XP using the NTFS format and have found that the 2 OSs seemingly can't access each other's files. I gather that I instead need to install XP using the FAT32 format. What else do I need to consider and set up so that both OS have access to a shared set of folders? I'd appreciate help.

ghporter · May 31, 2006, 06:15 AM

Welcome, Jazzbo!

Before posting, please look at the existing posts. There are already a number of threads on this issue. The basic situation is that you need to format your Windows partition as a FAT32 instead of NTFS disk because while OS X can read an NTFS disk, it can't write to one. Windows doesn't even know of the existence of the HFS+ format, so Windows can't see your OS X partition at all. This means you have to use the Windows partition for sharing any files between the two OSs.

icruise · May 31, 2006, 06:44 AM

ghporter -- are you sure you're not confusing this with Boot Camp? Because Parallels uses a disk image that is not readable by OS X in any case, no matter what the format. I was under the impression that the disk format you chose didn't matter for Parallels.

I would assume that the original poster would need to set up a shared folder and use that.

ghporter · May 31, 2006, 09:12 AM

Icruise, you're about 50% right-I was thinking about Boot Camp, but keeping Parallels in mind. A shared folder under Parallels may also have to be on a disk that Windows can read-I'm not 100% clear on how Parallels handles real drives.

sieb · May 31, 2006, 09:46 AM

You could setup a small shared Fat partition on the harddrive, then mount that as a shared drive in Parallels. OSX reads fat/ntfs, but can only read NTFS, not write. OR: http://forums.macnn.com/104/alternative-operating-systems/297168/parallels-file-sharing-question/

icruise · May 31, 2006, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by ghporter

Icruise, you're about 50% right-I was thinking about Boot Camp, but keeping Parallels in mind. A shared folder under Parallels may also have to be on a disk that Windows can read-I'm not 100% clear on how Parallels handles real drives.

Well, considering how I can just make a folder on my Mac OS X desktop and share that directly with Parallels, I don't see how disk format enters into the equation.

ghporter · May 31, 2006, 02:28 PM

...It's because I know less than I should about Parallels before I make statements about it.

And I'm trying to be conservative in what I endorse so people don't come back and say "Glenn said this would work" when I don't even have an Intel Mac to try anything out on. Not yet anyway...