Parallels 7 Configuration Options – Expanding the Initial HD Size

If you plan on using Window in Parallels for storage of files or to run a specific program you will need to change the initial installation default HD size of 64GB (32GB for earlier versions). You can expand the default partition before or after the installation, however in my experience, expanding the partition after Windows is installed has created many problems (i.e. Windows has blue-screened or has lost the boot-loader). Without the involvement of Parallels Tech Support, it has been be very difficult to repair this problem. Therefore expanding the HD before Windows is installed is my recommendation.

To expand the 64GB default partition during installation, carefully watch each screen during the installation for the following screen and press Configure... before pressing Continue:

Press Hardware and select the Hard Disk 1 menu option and press Edit… to find the HD resizing option. 

The default 64GB Size will be selected. Ether slide the adjustment arrow to your desired size or type in the size in Gigabytes. Leave the check boxes at there default and press Apply then Close.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed under  //   Parallels 7 Hard Drive Options  
 

Configuring Snow Leopard Server DNS

After a brief phone call with Apple Server Tech Support, I was introduced to a method for configuring the DNS services correctly during the installation of Apple Snow Leopard 10.6 Server. Since the introduction of SL Server, the DNS services attempt to auto-configure during the initial installation. After a few installations at different clients, I found this "automagic" configuration to be incorrect in most of my attempts until I learned of the following pre-installation configuration recommendation:

1. Connect the machine (Xserve, Mac Pro, Mac Mini, etc...) to an ethernet cable plugged into either another Mac or switch that is NOT connected to the internet or any router that may contain any DNS settings or DHCP

2. When prompted during the installation for the server's IP address, router, and DNS, enter the static IP address you plan on using for the server in ALL three fields (i.e. EN0 IP: 10.10.10.5, Router IP: 10.10.10.5, DNS Servers: 10.10.10.5)

3. After doing this and finishing the installation, go to Server Admin. You won't see the DNS service listed but, after enabling it, the records necessary for configuring this machine as the PRIMARY DNS server will already be configured and will show up after turning the DNS service on!

I will continue to update this blog as additional tips for configuring Apple servers find their way into my routine. Please visit my website for more information about my services and company at: www.sourcenetworks.com. Thanks!

Jason P. Bosket, MBA, MTM, ACSA, MCSE, CCNA
email: jason@sourcenetworks.com | phone: (847) 878-3747 | fax: (847) 669-0815
 Apple Consultants Network | www.sourcenetworks.com

Filed under  //   10.6 Server   Apple Tech Support   Configuration   DNS   Primary DNS   Server Admin   Snow Leopard   Snow Leopard Server