My Windows VM suddenly vanished, and now I am unable to connect to Parallels Service

Hey all,

Overall, Parallels 4 is a wonderful improvement over the previous version I have used. So much so that I have ditched VMWare (for now) and am using Parallels again exclusively. In Parallels v3, I found that the interface was just too cluttered, unpolished and not particularly well designed. I preferred VMWare's paired-back approach. Parallels 4 is a wonderful improvement.

I am having a bit of a problem with my Parallels 4 installation, though. I was working in a Vista VM when suddenly the VM window disappeared. I still have the VM list window up, but when I try to start any of the VMs, I just get a black screen. After quitting and restarting Parallels, I'm now told that I an unable to connect to the Parallels Service. "Make sure that prl_disp_service is running or check your firewall settings". I've checked, and that service is not running - but I have no idea how to start it. I do not use the firewall.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

Please reboot your Mac. Will the problem persist after that? Please do not forget to send a problem report if Parallels Desktop prompts you for that and write here its ID.

 

Hi there. Thanks for replying.

Yes, a reboot usually fixes it. I'm very very loathed to reboot my machine though (I usually have several things open who's state won't be saved if I quit them), so I don't really consider that to be an appropriate solution.

Next time it happens, I'll submit a report and post the ID in here - as you recommend.

 

Craig,

Please submit the report now, via Help-Report a problem and write here its ID. It still contains logs from previous crashes. Which Parallels Desktop 4 build are you using?

 

Craig Pugsley,

please specufy the Parallels Desktop build. If it is 3522, please upgrade to 3540(via www.parallels.com)

 

Hi there. My apologies for not getting back to you (both) sooner.

I'm using build 3540.

I've submitted the bug report. The ID is 17430.

Appreciate you both getting back to me. Parallels really do have the upper hand right now. Also, based on my experience with the software (overwhelmingly positive) and the responses from you guys here in the forum, I've decided to end my trial and purchase immediately.

Thanks! Keep up the good work.

 

I've had the problem happen to me again now. ID 18569.

 

Same here

I get the same message and have repeatedly sent problem reports. Oddly enough, it almost seems to happen when I plug in my headphones or do something with Audio. I know that sounds far fetched, but that's been the only thing that I've been able to isolate.

 

This is a real pain in the ass, now. Parallels, please tell me what's happening and when a fix might be coming...

 

I submitted case to developers