Parallels keyboard not working in Desktop 6 for Mac; Windows 7 VM

The keyboard is not working anymore in the Windows 7 VM, Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac. (but I also have a Windows XP VM and the keyboard works there, no problem)

In Device Manager, under Keyboards there is an "Unknown device" icon, with the yellow exclamation mark. I tried a few things:
~ updating the driver did not succeed because "Windows found driver software for your device (Standard PS/2 Keyboard) but encountered an error while attempting to install it. This operation requires an interactive window station"
~ installing several generic PS/2 drivers did not succeed
~ uninstalling that device did not solve the problem

I tried reinstalling Parallels Tools a few times; removing the device in Device Manager.

Coherence mode also doesn't work anymore. I get a message "The Parallels mouse synchronization device is not started. Reinstall Parallels Tools and try again." I tried reinstalling Parallels Tools a few times, with no change. The mouse works anyway, all the time.

I have PD 6 for Mac build 6.0.12094; I run Mac OS X 10.6.8; the Windows VMs are up to date with all updates from Microsoft Update.

Any thoughts, short of reinstalling Windows 7 or PD 6?

Thank you!

Catalin

 

You have to first uninstall Parallels Tools before reinstalling it. It doesn't seem like you are doing that. Do it from the Programs and Features control panel. Reboot VM. Reinstall Parallels Tools. Reboot VM.

Steve

 

Thanks very much for your reply, Steve.

I did remove Parallels Tools, then reboot. But now Parallels Tools doesn't want to install anymore! The error message says that I should reboot and try installing it again. I did, with no success - same result.

Any thoughts?

Many thanks again,

Catalin

 

This is the error message that I keep getting:

"Setup Wizard Completed
The wizard was interrupted before Parallels Tools could be completely installed.
[...]"

 

Try uninstalling again. If it didn't complete for some reason, the install may be messed up.

Steve

 

Parallels Tools is not able to install, so I guess uninstalling it is out of the question.

I'm giving up gave up and will try to reinstall Windows 7, then reload all the software programs and settings, etc.

What a pain.

Thanks for your suggestions, Steve. Much appreciated.

Catalin