trouble starting parallels

Discussion in 'General Questions' started by dnt, Jun 26, 2008.

  1. dnt

    dnt Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    I have the v3.0 5608 build. for some reason I cannot start PD. when I try to run the VM i get the following.
    640kb base memory
    54288 kb extended memory
    boot from hard drive...
    a disk read error occured
    press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart.

    I have tried this to no avail. I have forced quit as well as stopped PD but i can't seem to get it started. I have shut down and rebooted but nothing. I hope there is a way to get this fixed so I can save the data I had running on windows xp. I don't know if its just easier going back to a PC. ugh! the thought but I need to recover my data. HELP.
     
  2. ziba

    ziba Member

    Messages:
    30
    Hi,

    Firstly try increasing memory for this VM by starting PD > choosing memory from configuration editor and setting it to around 500mb.

    Also it is recommenede to backup directory with windows VM prior to further actions.
    Did you make snapshots for this VM?
    If yes - try http://kb.parallels.com/en/4680 (you may need to try it for every .hds file from winxp.hdd)

    If you are sure that no snapshots have been made then you can try repairing windows:
    http://kb.parallels.com/en/5138

    And if all above does not help then you can try creating new VM and mounting hard disk from old VM as additional disk: from new VM open configuration editor > Add > Hard disk > use existing image file > browse to winxp.hdd from old VM > open > start VM > go to my computer and check if additional drive was added.

    Hope this helps.
     
  3. dnt

    dnt Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    Thanks for responding. I tried increasing the memory. Neg.
    I backed up my hard drive to an external HD.
    Not sure about the snapshots or what it supposed to do. sorry haven't researched it yet.
    I tried to repair windows but that also did not work. I could only get up to step #9. It would start to read the cd rom but then nothing would happen.

    Since I backed up the mcintosh hd up to an external HD does this mean that on a worst case scenario if I have to reload everything that I can then retrieve the data once all is working again? I am hoping I don't have to go this route since this would mean I have to contact vendors for permissions on licensed software again. This would be a big problem. I also need to save all my quickbooks data that I ran on the VM. This is also a big issue. 1+ years worth. Is there another sure way to save this data even if I cannot start windows thru PD?
     
  4. ziba

    ziba Member

    Messages:
    30
    Hi,

    In worst case you will need to create new windows VM and copy data from old VM to new one.
    But let's hope it will not get to that.
    To make sure about snapshots send here screen shots of the following:
    1. Finder > Mac HD > Users > your username > Documents > Parallels > your VM name
    2. Finder > Mac HD > Users > your username > Documents > Parallels > your VM name > right click on winxp.hdd > show package contents
     

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