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Custom Installation Mode

To create a custom virtual machine:

  1. Start Parallels Management Console and launch New Virtual Machine Wizard by choosing New from the File menu.
  2. In the Select Operating System Type and Version window, select the guest OS you plan to install inside your virtual machine and click Next.
  3. In the Virtual Machine Type window, select Custom and click Next.
  4. In the Name and Location window, define the name and location for your virtual machine:
    • Name. Indicate an arbitrary name to be assigned to the virtual machine. By default, the virtual machine gets the same name as the operating system that will be installed inside this virtual machine. If a virtual machine with such a name already exists, you will be prompted to indicate another name. The name must not exceed 50 characters.
    • Location. Use the Choose button if you want to change the default location of the virtual machine-related files.

      Installing Windows Express

    Click Next.

  5. In the CPU and Memory Options window, specify the number of CPU(s) and the amount of RAM for the virtual machine and click Next. You may use the slider or arrow buttons to set the value or simply type it into the corresponding field.

    Specifying CPU and Memory Options

  6. In the Hard Disk Options window, select the type of virtual hard disk you want to use and click Next. You can create a new hard disk image, use an existing one, or create a virtual machine without any hard disk at all. You may need a virtual machine without a hard disk to work with live CDs/DVDs (CDs or DVDs containing a bootable operating system).

    Specifying Hard Disk Options

  7. In the previous step, if you selected the No hard disk option, go to Step 8.

    If you selected to use an existing image file, in the Existing Virtual Hard Disk window, specify the hard disk image to be connected and click Next.

    If you selected to create a new virtual hard disk, in the Hard Disk Options window, specify the capacity and type for the disk and click Next.

    Specifying Hard Disk Size and Type

  8. In the Networking Type window, select the type of networking you want to use in the virtual machine and click Next.
    • Virtual Network. If you select this option, the virtual machine will be connected to one of the virtual networks available to the Parallels server.
    • Direct Assignment (using Intel VT-d). This option is available only if you have a PCIe network adapter and the Intel VT-d technology is enabled in the Parallels server. If you select this option, the virtual machine will be able to access the local network and Internet through a PCIe network adapter.
    • No Networking. If you select this option, the virtual machine will have no network adapter.

      Note: You may reconfigure the networking settings after the virtual machine is created, using the Virtual Machine Configuration dialog.

  9. In the previous step, if you selected the No Networking option, go to Step 10.

    If you selected the Direct Assignment (using Intel VT-d) option, in the Network Adapter window, select the PCIe network adapter you want to use. Before using the PCIe adapter in your virtual machine, you need to assign it to your virtual machines in the Intel VT-d pane of the Server Settings dialog and install the manufacturer's driver for this PCIe device inside the virtual machine. The driver should support the Intel VT-d technology.

    If you selected the Virtual Network option, in the Network Adapter window, select the virtual network to which the virtual machine network adapter will be connected.

  10. In the Optimization Options window, select the optimization mode you prefer and click Create. The available options are:
    • Virtual machine (Recommended). Select this option to allocate more host computer resources to the virtual machine and its applications.
    • Host Computer. Select this option to allocate more resources to the host computer and its applications.
  11. When the virtual machine is created, in the Prepare to Install Operating System window, specify the source of installation files and click Start.

    Select the installation source in the Placement list. Choose Physical Server if your source installation files are located on the Parallels server or choose Client Computer if the source installation files are located on the physical computer where Parallels Management Console is installed. If Parallels Management Console is installed on the Parallels server, in the Placement list, you will be able to choose only Physical Server.

    Specify the path to the source installation files. If you want to use a disc inserted into the CD/DVD drive of the computer, choose this drive from the Source menu. If you want to use a CD/DVD disc image connected to the virtual machine's CD/DVD drive, click the Source menu and use Choose an image file to locate the file.

    Note: Parallels Management Console does not provide users with OS ISO images or OS installation discs. You should purchase an OS installation disc or an OS ISO image if you do not have any.

    Installing OS in Typical Mode

    To start the virtual machine and guest OS installation, click Start. When the installation is complete, install Parallels Tools if they are available for the guest OS.

    If you do not want to start the virtual machine and install the guest OS, click Done.