Here's the configuration:
1. Mackbook Pro (13 inch, mid 2010. 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB Memory. Lion OSX 10.7.5. About 70 GB free storage).
2. Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac
(you can get it from most computer shops that sells Mac stuff and from Amazon (link opens to Amazon website) Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac
3. Windows 7 Home SP-1 64 bit, OEM version
(you can get the retail version from some computer shops (slowly being phased out as Windows 8 is not available) Amazon (link opens to Amazon website) Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Steps:
1. I first did a bootable backup of my hard disk using Carbon Copy Cloner (the old version 3.4.7 which was free. The new version now costs US$40 *gasp*) on my 1 TB Toshiba Canvio 3.0 Plus external hard disk (got it for S$105 at Sim Lim Square).
The backup is made just for peace of mind, in case anything goes wrong during installation. I partitioned 300 GB of the 1 TB hard disk using Disk Utility that comes with the Macbook Pro. For it to be bootable, remember to choose GUID partition type (if you have a Intel based Mac like mine). The other 700 GB is for storage. The cloning process took a few hours, for my 250 GB storage hard disk.
To check whether or not your newly cloned external hard disk is bootable, reboot your Mac while holding down the Option key. This allows you to choose the boot up disk (i.e. my newly cloned external hard disk in my case).
Boot up check - SUCCESS
2. Once the backup and boot up check is done, I checked my Mac storage to ensure that there is at least 20 GB of free storage for the installation. Of course, I would think the more freed-up resources you have, the more fuss free and speedy the installation.
3. I inserted the Parallels installation disc and installation was a breeze. Merely followed the instructions, and let the program run. It came to a screen which requested me to put in the Windows installation disc.
Parallels Installation - SUCCESS
4. At this point, I inserted the Windows 7 installation disc and Parallels took over the installation from there. I bought my Windows 7 Home OEM disc from Sim Lim Square for S$115. Having read on the internet that some people had problems using Windows 7 OEM discs to install Windows 7 on their Mac with Parallels, I was filled with trepidation. However, Windows 7 installed without a glitsch. YAY! The process of installing Parallels and Windows 7 took about 1 hour.
Windows 7 OEM Installation - SUCCESS
5. I was able to use Windows 7 without having to restart my Mac. However, just to be on the safe side, I restarted my Mac. No problems faced. Windows 7 is present as a desktop icon. To start using it, I just have to click on the icon and Parallels + Windows 7 starts.
6. The main purpose for my installing Windows is to allow me to use MS Office. I have a Office XP installation disc from my old scrapped PC, which I now use to install in Windows 7 (on my Mac!). Running Windows 7, I inserted my Office XP installation disc and the system took over from there. An installation window popped up, just like how it would be like in a normal PC, and Office XP installation proceeded as usual.
MS Office Installation - SUCCESS
I am now able to use MS Word on my Mac while enjoying the OS X interface at the same time. Mac gestures work in MS Word as well :) Only thing that I have to get used to is the different keyboard shortcuts.. eg, for super scrip (crtl shift =) and sub script (ctrl =) and paste special (option e s).
COOL!
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