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Question

How do I prevent desktop icons from appearing on both Mac an

Feb 28, 2012 10:51AM PST

When I add an icon to the Windows desktop (virtual machine) on my Mac, it duplicates on the Mac desktop. If I drag it to the trash, on one desktop, it also disappears from the other desktop. Somehow they are tied. Yet the box on "file sharing" is not checked.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
We are missing some information here that
Feb 28, 2012 10:57PM PST

would help us figure out your problem.

1. The Windows desktop does not appear anywhere on the Mac without you running Boot Camp or a Virtual Machine.
2. The Windows desktop and the Mac desktop cannot appear together unless you are running a Virtual Machine.
3. Why did you not consider it a relevant part of your question?

Let's assume you are running Parallels. You have a setting incorrectly set.
Possibly you have Coherence set. This makes Windows icons and programs appear on the Mac desktop.
Go to view and choose "Run in WIndow" (or something like that) and you will find that Windows runs in a window with its own icons inside that window.

If there is any other pieces of information you have neglected to tell us about, now would be a good time to rectify that omission.

P

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More info
Feb 29, 2012 6:48AM PST

Sorry about that..

1. I installed Parallels and then Windows XP
2. I realize that
3. Sorry, I assumed that when I spoke about Windows on the Mac, people would figure that I had some sort of program running that would allow it.

I made sure the coherence mode was not enabled.

After spending 5 hours with level 1 techs (all from India) and they did not know what to do,
and 2 more hours with level 2 tech (all from Russia) who "solved my problem" so that it all worked
for about an hour..........then last night the whole thing crashed so that there is only the BSOD (on the
Windows part), I have made a decision to get rid of it. Seeing how Parallels own experts tried
all sorts of work-arounds convinced me that this is not something I want t deal with once their
meager support terminates this week.

But...........I still think it is great that there are folks out there willing to lend a hand in time of need, so
I sincerely thank you

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I'd consider another way.
Feb 29, 2012 6:52AM PST

XP is problematic in itself. Let's hope it's at least XP SP3 you installed.

Also, I tend to run it under Virtual Box but some find that daunting.

Given there are no less than 4 ways to run this OS on Apple OS X, let's share how you did this.
Bob

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How I did it?
Feb 29, 2012 10:26AM PST

Not sure what you mean. I downloaded Parallels and then loaded XP.
The tech person installed SP2 and we were watching to see how that was doing.

At least SP3? According to the download site SP3 was as high as they go for XP.

The goal was eventually to stick with Mac and not need any Windows. But
since I have a website that I have maintained for years with MS Frontpage, I
wanted to have time to transition to a different system and therefore would need
Windows of some sort for awhile. To run out and spend hundreds for the latest
copy of Vista or 7 when it would be dropped anyway didn't make sense to me.
But apparently for some of the folks who frequent these forums, money is not a
consideration. I'm not in that group.

Now a friend emailed and offered to buy this MacBook Pro for what I paid, so
I'm thinking it's probably the wisest thing to do.

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I understand.
Feb 29, 2012 10:42AM PST

I have to maintain older systems too. I too needed to keep one old XP system around but in my case they PAY for the service. So it's not a big deal.

Sorry if I offended you in any way but we can't guess how this was done and it appears you started with the oldest XP which is a shame. That can't end well.
Bob

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No offense; thankful
Feb 29, 2012 10:53PM PST

Bob;

you didn't offend me; I'm thankful for those who make themselves available to help others.
I guess the frustration of spending time, effort of money without guidance shows through
sometimes..........

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You probably have tried this...
Mar 1, 2012 1:56AM PST

But with Parallels running, click on "Virtual Machine" then "Configure", when it opens, click "Security" and make sure "Isolate Mac from Windows" is checked.