Parallels Desktop Mac 4.0 Upgrade: Mutliple Device Errors - Unable to Install Tools

Hello,

Couldn't wait and had to try to update to 4 - despite the doomsayers on the forums. Oh well. Parallels folks, I submitted a problem through application and was given #16408.

Here's the deal; was warned at the end of step 2, 3, 4 in update of virtual machine process that I would have to proceed manually. Selected ok and was returned to the VM where it had gone into screensaver mode. Clicked 'okay' in guest OS to see desktop. In all cases was presented with Windows has found New Hardware dialogue, but in two of three cases, the automated upgrade screen took over right away on the following step. At the end of the process the updater reported that my virtual machine had been updated successfully.

Now, VM starts and I am able to use mouse, keyboard etc., but am initially bombarded with a large number of "New Hardware" dialogues. None of the three options (Search, Ignore, Cancel) allow me to successfully update device drivers and I am unable to successfully install Parallels Tools. I am able to launch the installer, but it "rolls back" every time it reaches the point of "registering".

Fairly standard version of Windows Vista Business SP1 although a couple of interesting notes; 1. It looks as though it wants me to activate Windows again (already did that in PDM 3) and I haven't done it yet (don't really want to until I know that I won't have to reinstall Parallels); 2. The machine is part of a domain, but I am a domain admin and local admin

I am pretty crippled right now because the VM will says the ethernet controller is one of the devices I need to update the driver for and it is currently not working.

Anyone have any advice?!

-G

 

Update 1

Tried again by uninstalling Parallels (using the uninstaller) re-installing and trying to re-import the backup of the PDM 3. The process seemed slightly different in the after the first step I was asked to log in; but then after the second step I was asked to log in, but the default username was some variation of '/parallels helper'. Could not log in with that user so tried my normal username and password which worked. Same new hardware errors (ignored) and the process continued. After third step logged in and saw that Windows was 'configuring desktop' which seemed a bit odd - why would such a thing be necessary?

Finally, results the same; VM was upgraded, but Tools still unable to be installed. Running the installer results in same problem, gets all the way to registering and fails and rolls back.

 

Hello,

Could you please try to reinstall Parallels Tools, but before it:
1)Go to you virtual machine configuration. Find the 'CD/DVD-ROM 1' option in the 'Hardware' group, make sure it is 'Enabled', 'Connected', it is a 'Image File' and the paht specified is '/Library/Parallels/Tools/prl-tools-win.iso'(the last file name may be different, e.g prl-tools-winvista.iso or smth like this).
2)After it please stert the virtual machine and go to the 'Virtual Machine' menu. Choose 'Install Parallels Tools' or 'Reinstall Parallels Tools' please.

Is the installation successful now?

 

And as for Windows reactivation: unfortunately you really need to reactivate it. If you contact Microsoft and describe the situation , they will most likely provide you with the new key.
The case is that when upgradung to Parallels Desktop 4.0 one changes the virtual hardware configuration and that is why Windows requires reactivation.