Hi, My xp vm is corrupted, hangs at black DOS screen. I can view and copy files from the Mac finder, but obviously can't run programs. I've tried repairing it but it no longer recognises the password, so it seems I've no choice but to reinstall xp in a new vm and copy the files across - I'll do regular backups in future, perhaps even run a 2nd xp vm side by side if possible. My question is this - if I install a vm from the xp cdrom, how can I be sure the installation won't wipe my old files?
Update Well, I didn't realise there was no admin password - which is why the one I use normally wouldn't work. Once I realised that I did Chkdsk and was told the ntoskrnl.exe was corrupted or missing, so I used the expand command to replace it. Now I get past the splash screen, it skips autocheck and then shuts windows down at the bsod.
You should probably do the Repair Install procedure : http://kb.parallels.com/en/5138 It won't delete your data or programs, but it will reset your windows settings. You should probably do a backup of your VM before doing this.
Update Well I tried Chkdsk \r but it made no difference, except that it took alot longer. The bsod is accompanied with a notice saying there's been a fatal error, something to do with the session manager, but it goes too quickly for me to read it. So it looks like I'll have to reinstall xp doesn't it?
Does that mean I'll lose all the data and programs? or, will it just reinstall xp and lose anything that wasn't previously saved?
I think I already answered those questions. The 'Repair Install' procedure detailed in the link I provided isn't the same as Chkdsk, please read the link in my last post ("Now Windows should scan your VM for the existing Windows installation - wait for it to finish and choose to repair existing installation."). And, like I said before : "It won't delete your data or programs, but it will reset your windows settings. You should probably do a backup of your VM before doing this."
