99% of the problems we encounter have to do with the Parallels software which are easily solved by running / an app within Parallels software called ‘Parallels Tools’. Parallels Tools configures the software that bridges the 2 OSXs, tying the networking, peripherals, processor, RAM etc.. between the Guest and Host.. Parallels Tools runs during the …

Basic terminology: You have installed Parallels & the OSXFH.pvm on Your Mac. – This computer is called the HOST OS Parallels opens the OSXFH.pvm file and creates a virtual computer that runs within a window – this is the Guest OS The Guest OSX runs within the Host OSX. To Start-up: Open Parallels – Locate …

Within the Guest OSX there is a folder on the Desktop called ‘ Parallels Shared Folder’

Opening this folder will give you access to the Host computer finder.

See image below for creating a quick navigation from Guest to Host finders. This is very useful to save files directly to the Host or when working in Full Screen Mode.

Otherwise – Drag and drop between the Guest and Host to transfer files. This method will always make a copy of the dragged file to the other OS.

IMPORTANT TIP: – Make sure all the FH files have the .FH11 suffix or the Guest OSX will not recognize them as FH files.

To make the most of your screen real estate, working in ‘Full Screen Mode’ is a must.

To switch on Full screen:

Host Menu Bar – Click View / Enter Full Screen

To jump between full Screen modes – there are different methods depending on your computer: Usually  3 finger swipe to Left or Right on the trackpad or magic mouse.

To Exit Full Screen Mode:

Hover the mouse pointer on at the top of the screen – till the Host’s Menu Bar appears (it is hidden behind the Guest Menu Bar at full Screen Mode) – Click View / Exit Full Screen.

We find the best Resolution is ‘Scaled’ – see below for the setting.

This will automatically adjust the Guest resolution when you resize the window.

When moving to Full Screen Resolution – you may need to adjust the res to the optimal for your screen. Do this by clicking on the resolution icon (small screen icon – upper right menu bar) and selecting the best resolution.

Below Full screen Resolution on a 27″ Retina iMac

Warning: on Retina displays – resolutions in the 5000K are available – do not use them without a powerful magnifying glasses.

You may have noticed that the Window where the Guest OS lives has a 4th button in the upper left corner, next to the minimize, maximize and close buttons. (Note in High Sierra – the buttons are not colored coded anymore but still there) Do not click this button – It activates a new unfinished …

One can never have enough fonts. Overview To move fonts between the Host OS & Guest OS you must compress them first, then drag/drop in to the Guest, expand the zipped folder and install in the user/library/Fonts folder or with your font management software. Step by step guide: Select the fonts you want to install …

The Snow Leopard software comes with a few additional languages. German, French, Spanish to name some.

To change the operating System language – go to: System Preferences / Language & Text.

In the Language Tab: Drag your chosen language to the top of the list. If you don’t see your language: click on ‘Edit List…’ button (lower left) and select your language to add. Then Restart the Guest OS.

 

Current versions of OSX do not recognize the suffixes .FH .FH10 .FH11 … but individual programs still do as does Snow leopard / Freehand.

Make sure all your files have their suffixes visible.

For FH MX use .FH11

For FH10 use .FH10

You can type the suffix strait in to the file name

Or…

Use Get info command to reach window below:

 

Your files should look like this on the Host  (Sierra / High Sierra)

And like this on the Guest

 

The default Parallels software settings stop the capslock key signal reaching the guest OS. We have no solution for this and haven’t located a settings in Parallels to change this. We have a quick workaround for re-activating the signal connection. Unfortunately this needs to be done everytime the guest OS is started up. 1. Goto: …