Hello, I am having problems starting a Windows XP VM that has been running fin since April07. I am running Mac OSX (10.4.11) on a MacBook Pro. Parallels generates this error: "Virtual machine cannot be started because of the following problem: Parallels Desktop is unable to access the virtual hard disk image file /Users/mike/Library/Parallels/winxp/winxp.hdd. The file is used by other application." I have followed forum threads and repaired permissions, deleted extensions, and reinstalled Parallels and nothing has worked. I have also, per another thread, removed the lock file from the VM package and then I get an error that the VM file is corrupted. I have a Linux VM that starts fine. Please help. mjd9901
I too have had this same problem. I have been running 3.0/Win XP for the past few months under Leopard 10.5.1. I upgraded to Build 5584 recently (I believe January 16th) and things continued to go well. Normally, my computer runs 24/7, so I never really shut down Parallels nor my Mac Pro. However, I traveled this past weekend, so shut down Windows properly and then my Mac. This morning, when I started my Mac back up and then tried to start Parallels, I got the following error: Virtual machine cannot be started because of the following problem: Parallels Desktop is unable to access the virtual hard disk image file /Users/genebowman/Documents/Parallels/Microsoft Windows XP/winxp.hdd. The file is corrupted. I tried to follow some of the suggestions in other forums regarding renaming the Parallels back up hdd to Windows.hdd and then restart Parallels, but now all Parallels wants to do is to create a new virtual disk from scratch. I am dead in the water with Parallels right now. Any help would be much appreciated!
More Information Just for the sake of clarity for any Parallels support personnel responding to this post; I have followed threads and tried the suggested steps to correct both the first error (".hdd file in use") and the second after removing the .lck file from the VM package (".hdd file is corrupted") and I have had no joy. I have tried removal and installing Parallels 3 times as well as repeating the steps in the threads mentioned above and nothing has worked. Just for grins I have also tracked down and removed Parallels preferences as well. So far nothing. I use the Windows VM exclusively for work so it's critical that I get this working ASAP. I love the Mac OS but it does me no good at work... Cheers, mjd9901
Well, I have solved my problem! Thanks to Time Machine in Leopard, I was able to go back to last Thursday's backup, the last day that I had used it before shutting down, and restore my winXP.hdd file to today. I then started Parallels normally and everything worked great. If you're not using Time Machine, you're missing out on a great tool!
No Time Machine I am running OS X version 10.4.11 and had originally installed Parallels version 3 and the latest build. Time Machine is only on Leopard, not my version. No Parallels support personnel have responded yet and I can't post an email request for help for some reason. Not thrilled with their response so far... Cheers.
Now Another Problem! Since posting my earlier posts I have experienced another issue. I followed thread suggestions enumerated above and once again uninstalled the version of Parallels I had been running; build 5582 dated Dec. 07'. After downloading and installing latest build, also 5582 dated Jan. 08', I have consistently been prompted for the activation key. This has never, ever happened before. I originally purchased a store copy of Parallels version 2.x and then pre-ordered version 3.x. I have the activation code for 2.x only. Email issues have hosed my inbox along with email confirmations from my upgrade. I need some help retrieving this information, please! mjd9901
I have a quick question on your Time Machine restoration. Do you totally restored everything back to your good backup or do you "cherry pick" and just restore certain files. In your case, is the "winXP.hdd" file the entire XP installation? Seems to me that it would be hard to just pick out certain files for this procedure.
