Repeated Efforts to Install Parallels Tools Fail

I cannot get Parallels Tools to install in Windows Vista Home Premium. I do the "reinstall" thing, and the entire process seems to work, re-booting the VM. But then, upon the re-boot, I still don't have Parallels Tools working. I've disabled all anti-spyware and antivirus software (use Windows Defender, Spybot Search & Destroy, and Avast!). Any ideas?

Also, lately the virtual machine has been running like sludge. Parallels 5 was great when I first loaded it, but now the VM seems bogged down. The Vista version of the beachball (rotating donut) rotates VERY slowly, especially in Window mode but also often in Full Screen mode.

 

Hi MaxBuck,
to install Parallels Tools, you need to remove interfering programs from Programs list and restart Wista. Try to remove Windows Defender, Spybot Search & Destroy and Avast!, restart VM, install Parallels Tools from Virtual Machine menu. Install requried applications back.

 

I now apparently have Tools installed. However, I still have the note at the bottom of the window to the effect I need to press [control][option] to release the mouse to move from the virtual machine back to OSX. I thought Tools was supposed to render this unnecessary.

 

Hi MaxBuck,
this indicates that Parallels Tools do not operate properly. Please try to reinstall them again.

 

OK, I've done what you asked (except for removing Windows Defender, which is not possible). Now I have a raft of entirely new problems, plus the one I started with:

1. Can't load Parallels Tools. Installation indicates it has worked, yet I cannot implement Coherence or Crystal modes, and the seamless mouse movement from Windows mode doesn't work. When trying to implement Crystal mode, I get an error message indicating I must re-install Tools. But it just won't work - Parallels Tools won't install (even though the menu bar at the bottom of the window suggests it has installed).

2. I can't get Vista to display anything but "Mac Look" - the toggle on the menu bar doesn't work. Which means I don't have access to Aero mode. Aero mode is why I spent more $$$ on your version 5, so I need it to work.

I use a MacBook Pro 2.66 GHz machine with 4 GB of RAM. Vista is loaded into a Boot Camp partition which I access when using the Virtual Machine mode.

Please respond.

 

OK, I've done what you asked (except for removing Windows Defender, which is not possible). Now I have a raft of entirely new problems, plus the one I started with:

1. Can't load Parallels Tools. Installation indicates it has worked, yet I cannot implement Coherence or Crystal modes, and the seamless mouse movement from Windows mode doesn't work. When trying to implement Crystal mode, I get an error message indicating I must re-install Tools. But it just won't work - Parallels Tools won't install (even though the menu bar at the bottom of the window suggests it has installed).

2. I can't get Vista to display anything but "Mac Look" - the toggle on the menu bar doesn't work. Which means I don't have access to Aero mode. Aero mode is why I spent more $$$ on your version 5, so I need it to work.

3. The "Mac Look" has now infected my Boot Camp. So now I cannot access Aero even if I boot the computer directly into Vista. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!

I use a MacBook Pro 2.66 GHz machine with 4 GB of RAM. Vista is loaded into a Boot Camp partition which I access when using the Virtual Machine mode.

Please respond.

 

Problem Solved

I solved the problem by completely uninstalling Parallels Tools (in Vista), then re-installing from scratch. Works now. Is Parallels Tools subject to corruption?

 

Hi MaxBuck,
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