User`s guide

Advanced Topics

Change Virtual Machine Configuration at Runtime

Parallels Desktop allows you to connect or disconnect certain devices at runtime or switch some of

them for using other media.

Generally, the following virtual devices can be connected or disconnected at runtime:

• Floppy disk drive

• CD/DVD-ROM drives

• Network adapter

• Sound device

• USB device

• Shared folders

If printer and serial ports are present in the virtual machine configuration, you can also manage

them at runtime.

You can configure any of these devices in one of the following ways:

• Use the necessary command from the Devices menu in the menu bar. This menu is available

only when the virtual machine is running.

• Click a device icon on the status bar and choose the command from a device shortcut menu.

The status bar displays the devices information when the virtual machine is running.

• Drag an image file (*.iso or *.fdd) or a shared folder on the appropriate device icon in the status

bar. This option is available only for CD/DVD-ROM drives, floppy drives and shared folders.

Connecting a CD/DVD-ROM or a Floppy Drive

If you have several CD/DVD-ROM drives connected to your virtual machine, in the Devices menu

they are listed in the same order as they were connected. The first CD/DVD-ROM drive will be

CD/DVD-ROM 1, the second will be CD/DVD-ROM 2, and so on.

Connecting a Network Adapter

You can set up any of the three network modes: Shared Networking, Bridged Networking, or Host-

Only Networking.

Connecting a Sound Device

To connect or disconnect a sound device, choose the Activate or Mute options respectively. You

can also choose the type of output and input devices.

Connecting a USB Device