With my ongoing quest to give Parallels Desktop virtualisation a proper spin with Ubuntu, I was quite amazed at how simple it is to install Parallels’ tools. When I was researching the internet on how to accomplish this, I was amazed at how many threads were being written regarding the installation’s complexity. Now mind you, I started with Parallels Desktop 6, and therefore, I am not quite exactly sure all that was required in regards to Parallels’ previous versions.
Dependencies: The Ubuntu versions listed below must be completely installed.
Considerations: Installation of Parallels Tools will allow for the proper enablement of Ubuntu’s Visual Desktop Effects, sound and mouse functionality.
Versions Tested:
- Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac
- Ubuntu 9.04 x64 (Jaunty Jackalope)
- Ubuntu 9.10 x64 (Karmic Koala)
- Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS x64 (Lucid Lynx)
Installation Guide:
1. With your version of Ubuntu currently running within Parallels virtualisation, simply select from the toolbar; Virtual Machine › Install Parallels Tools
2. A warning is presented (if one has not already disabled it) indicating that you are about to install Parallels Tools, with some brief details on how the task is performed. Select Continue.
3. The Parallels Tools Installation CD will be mounted on your Ubuntu’s desktop. Typically, the folder of the mounted CD will open. With this, you will be able to see the exact path to the installation files. Some Ubuntu versions mount in different locations, so this path is key, and will be used in the next step.
4. Launch a terminal session within Ubuntu by simply selecting from the toolbar; Applications › Accessories › Terminal.
Using your terminal, the following code is provided as an example.
lpurefoy@lpurefoy-desktop:~$ pwd /home/lpurefoy lpurefoy@lpurefoy-desktop:~$ cd /media/cdrom0 lpurefoy@lpurefoy-desktop:/media/cdrom0$ ls install installer kmods tools version lpurefoy@lpurefoy-desktop:/media/cdrom0$ sudo ./install [sudo] password for lpurefoy: ******************
5. Parallels Tools UI installer will then appear with the Welcome window, and will guide you thru the remaining steps. Select Next.
6. To proceed, select Next.
7. Some additional components currently not present, and are required to be downloaded in order to complete the installation. Select Next to continue.
8. The wizard will download the required files. No action is required.
9. Once the downloaded files are in place, the remaining installation steps are completed, and if all went well, a Congratulations window is presented. All that remains is the restart of Ubuntu. Select Reboot.
