Parallels 6 in Coherence Mode
I am currently running OS 10.6.7 of my iMac with a dual screen display. I am currently having problems with Windows 7 running in Coherence mode in Parallels6.
When I first installed Hyperspaces yesterday the system worked well. However, on reboot this morning the problems have started. I have several windows apps running, some on each screen, with windows of various sizes. If I move to a difference screen and then back again, the individual windows flicker to black several time before all being moved to the primary display and resized to the same dimensions. This behaviour stops if I unload hyperpaces.
As I said, yesterday everything was fine with windows positions and sizes being remembered and screen changes being quick. I would really like to keep using Hyperspaces, but not if it does behave nicely. Anyone got any idea what is going on here?
Thanks
2 Posted by s.lee-woolf on 08 May, 2011 10:24 AM
I may have found the cause of the problem.
I deleted the Spaces Customization Data.hsdata file and allowed Hyperspaces to recreate it on launch. After setting up all my wallpapers and window settings from scratch, all appeared to work as it did yesterday. Possibly some form of corruption in the file?
It'll be interesting to see what happens when the system restarts tomorrow
Support Staff 3 Posted by Tony Arnold on 08 May, 2011 10:25 AM
Hi Steve — it's quite likely you've hit a very annoying bug that affects Hyperspaces 1.1. If you're up for it, grab a copy of the bug fix update that's coming out tonight/tomorrow — chances are that the update will fix this issue for you.
4 Posted by s.lee-woolf on 08 May, 2011 11:07 AM
As you can see from my second post, I seem to have found a workaround, although from what you say it sounds like only a temporary solution.
I'll certainly get the update when it arrives. Will it be on the Apple Appstore? that's where I purchased the original program
Support Staff 5 Posted by Tony Arnold on 08 May, 2011 11:10 AM
Hi Steve — yes, it's being prepared by Apple now. It should be available in the morning :)
Let me know if you continue to experience problems.
6 Posted by s.lee-woolf on 09 May, 2011 06:55 PM
Hi Tony.
OK I've grabbed the update from the AppStore - thanks for that - but it doesn't seem to resolve the problem unfortunately.
Bit of further information that might help - the problem only seems to happen if 'Automatically hide & show the dock' is selected in the preferences for one or more of the spaces. IF I leave it completely unchecked, all seems to be OK. I say seems because I haven't had time to make exhaustive tests.
Hope this extra info helps.
Support Staff 7 Posted by Tony Arnold on 09 May, 2011 09:56 PM
Well that's plain odd — can you see if changing the animation speed to '0' under the 'Advanced' preferences has any effect on the problem? If it doesn't, you'll have to leave it with me — I'll drop a line to the Parallels team to see if they have any ideas.
Support Staff 8 Posted by Tony Arnold on 09 May, 2011 10:04 PM
Have you ever tried to contact Parallels support before? What a process! They require you to buy their software, and then purchase a support ticket before you seem to be able to talk to them.
I'll go post in their forums and see whether I have any luck.
Support Staff 9 Posted by Tony Arnold on 09 May, 2011 10:13 PM
OK — I've posted a message on their forums — hopefully someone from Parallels contacts me.
It doesn't help your current situation, but I've had no reports of similar issues from VirtualBox and VMware Fusion users. Hopefully this is something Parallels or myself can fix quickly for you.
10 Posted by s.lee-woolf on 10 May, 2011 08:11 AM
Hi Tony
I've tried changing the animation speed as you suggested, and it made absolutely no difference. I guess I'll have to leave this one with you. It not such a major issue as I can leave the dock enabled and the problem doesn't seem to appear.
Not sure if it's relevant, but I'm currently running the 14 day evaluation version of Parallels - didn't want to spend the cash without trying it and, if it doesn't work out the way I want, I'll then give VMWare a shot (I assume that their Unity mode is similar to Coherence in Paralllels). Looks like my evaluation may expire before the problem is solved, so I may have to make a decision then. Not looked at VirtualBox yet.
Support Staff 11 Posted by Tony Arnold on 10 May, 2011 08:50 AM
Hi Steve — I'd strongly recommend you try VMware Fusion — I've used both products extensively from servers through to web testing on my desktop: Fusion is the more stable product. Parallels introduce new features and can be faster from version to version, but I prefer VMs that run without issue.
I'll keep on Parallels about this issue regardless of my own software tastes.