Although I like my MacBook and OS X a lot, I also work a lot with (and like) applications that run in Microsoft Windows too. This includes beta-testing a lot of Windows-based software. I tried upgrading Internet Explorer 7 Beta-2 to Beta-3 and found it just would not using the same procedure I ran on a Dell notebook PC running Windows XP a few days ago. Since IE is so ingrained in Windows, the possibility of reformating the hard drive, reinstalling Windows, and reinstalling applications would be a good possibility under normal circumstances. Fortunately, this problem was happening in a Virtual Machine running in Parallels Desktop for the Mac.

So, I grabbed a DVD disc with a snapshot of the VM image taken before installing IE7-Beta2 (but with all the other applications like Microsoft Office installed) and copied it over the image with uncooperative IE7 on it. It took about 18 minutes to copy the file from the DVD to the MacBook’s hard drive. But, once done, I brought Parallels Desktop for the Mac back up and started the Windows XP Virtual Machine. I then downloaded IE7-Beta3 and installed it on top of IE6 (instead of IE7-Beta2). The upgrade proceeded as expected and I can now try the latest version of IE7.

BTW & FYI for those wondering why I’m testing Windows applications on a MacBook. The MacBook is the fastest and only dual-core PC I have. Windows XP boots faster in the Parallels VM than it does on my relatively fast 2.5 year old Pentium M Dell Lattitude D600 notebook. So, the MacBook is actually a great notebook for Windows users too. :-)