Darius,
User error it is, I am very happy to say.
With that attachment, need I write more? My initial post should have included a "?" at the end of the title, as I intended.Without reliable snapshot technology, what good is virtualization? 
As for Parallels, I use many products, even Virtual Box and Zen Server, so VMware need not take my words too seriously. I mainly use Fusion because it allows for better command line interfacing to the VM's than does Parallels, not to mention running VM's "headless".
Thanks so much for your prompt help on this matter as it was quite important to me.
Mark