10 replies to this topic

[Marc Connor]

I've installed parallels, added XP, but everytime it starts, I get "No boot device".
I do have XP installed on one partition...
But it says "No boot device".
If someone could tell me how to boot from the XP partition, or offer ANY help at all, I'd be VERY grateful.

[Technobob]

I have just started using Parallels but I don't believe you can boot from a partition only from a image file

[errandwolfe]

That is correct, Parallels does not support directly booting from a partition, only from a virtual hard drive file.

[Marc Connor]

Ok... but how do I boot to XP?

[sandwer]

Marc Connor, on Aug 18 2006, 10:22 AM, said:

Ok... but how do I boot to XP?

Well, you start parallels

Click New VM. This will start a wizard.
Click Next
Select Typical

Then select Windows as a guest OS, and Windows XP as the version
Click Next
Accept the defaults for the machine name and the config file
Click Finish

Then...click the Open button, select the vm you have just created, insert your windows XP disc in the drive and click the green play button on the right. XP should then start installing.....

Hope this helps you get going...

//R

[Marc Connor]

I have it installed already... but it doesn't start...

[errandwolfe]

Marc Connor, on Aug 18 2006, 02:51 PM, said:

I have it installed already... but it doesn't start...

Mark, what exactly have you installed?  If you would like to PM me maybe I can help you out without clogging the forum.

[Marc Connor]

I already have XP installed, as I can dual boot it...

[sandwer]

Marc Connor, on Aug 26 2006, 09:06 AM, said:

I already have XP installed, as I can dual boot it...

Right - you have it installed on another partition. Parallels doesn't work that way, you can't boot an existing partition from within it.  You have to create a virtual hard disk in parallels and install xp into that.

So for clarity, you cannot boot your existing copy of xp in parallels. You have to do a fresh install of xp into a new virtual disk in parallels. OK?

//R

[Marc Connor]

Well, I try to boot a bootable XP CD, but to no avail.
I get Boot device not available, Press Enter to continue.

[errandwolfe]

In the configuration screen of the virtual machine make sure you have the actual CD-ROM drive selected and not an image file.  Also make sure the CD-ROM drive is activated.