Resolved MBA + Parallels 7 Coherence?

[HeadGear]

Just bought a MBA last week from the Apple store and purchased Parallels 7 & Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. For some reason I can't get access to Coherence mode and the screen when in Full Screen mode has 2 inch black borders on each side. Any ideas?

 

[KPOM]

Have you tried updating Parallels Desktop? There have been some updates to version 7 to address various issues. I have that same setup and it works fine. Does Full Screen mode work? Try putting it in that mode first, and then switch to Coherence.

 

[HeadGear]

Parallels is fully updated, I've tried Full Screen which works and then Coherence which is still disabled. Also went into Configuration and set Parallels up to start in Coherence when opened but it just takes it to regular view instead.

Have you tried updating Parallels Desktop? There have been some updates to version 7 to address various issues. I have that same setup and it works fine. Does Full Screen mode work? Try putting it in that mode first, and then switch to Coherence.

 

[convergent]

Works fine for me.

 

[drsox]

Mine works fine - but in 32bit. I've never tried it in 64bit as all my previous Win7 installations have been 32bit.

 

[lanspawlo]

Get out of full screen first, so that it's just in a window before turning it into coherence mode.

 

[HeadGear]

I've done this several times. Found on Parallels to activate the software (I've done this step 3x as well). Is anyone else getting the 2 black bars on each side when in full screen.

Get out of full screen first, so that it's just in a window before turning it into coherence mode.

 

[Hawkeye16]

I do not have any bars, although I cannot go full screen when in coherence.

For coherence, try just dragging a Windows application outside of the Parallels window onto your OSX desktop. I believe that should throw it into Coherence mode as well if the switch is not working.

 

[HeadGear]

So called Parallels and they said all that I needed to do was install "Parallels Tools" and it would fix it. They were right, I hate when it's something that easy.

 

[KPOM]

So called Parallels and they said all that I needed to do was install "Parallels Tools" and it would fix it. They were right, I hate when it's something that easy.

Usually that installs automatically. In any case, it's good that you got it resolved. Parallels Tools is a set of drivers designed to make Windows operate properly within the virtual environment. When running in Parallels Desktop (or any virtual environment), Windows doesn't see your Mac's actual hardware the way it does in Boot Camp. It sees a "virtual" hardware profile that is emulated. Parallels Tools helps it operate properly.

 

[HeadGear]

Usually that installs automatically. In any case, it's good that you got it resolved. Parallels Tools is a set of drivers designed to make Windows operate properly within the virtual environment. When running in Parallels Desktop (or any virtual environment), Windows doesn't see your Mac's actual hardware the way it does in Boot Camp. It sees a "virtual" hardware profile that is emulated. Parallels Tools helps it operate properly.

Good to know, thanks for further clarification.