I'm running Windows XP in Parallels 5608 under OSX Leopard 10.5.3 I'm getting a very odd crash that seems to be caused by nothing. With the VM open and running a few XP programs (Powerpoint, Quickbooks, Word etc) the following crash symptoms occur: 1.) Keyboard input ceases to function in applications 2.) OSX applications cannot be launched 3.) Parallels then tries to open another session of the same VM that I am currently in a.) A parallels prompt pops up that says something to the effect of "Cannot open VM, HDD currently in use by another etc etc." 4.) ALT/CMD/ESC force quit sequence still pops up the applications list window in OSX, but there are NO applications in the window to force quit. This is really weird - it's just blank. Not even 'Finder' is listed 5.) Mouse is unable to pull down windows in the top menu bar in Finder a.)Only way to shut down is to hold down the Power Button. Any ideas on this one? It's a very consistent crash - at least twice in an 8 hour period every day for the last week.
Such situation can occur when build is not correctly upgraded Please download build 5608 following link bellow: http://download.parallels.com/v3/en/GA/Parallels-Desktop-5608-Mac-en.dmg and reinstall Parallels Desktop as described in kb http://kb.parallels.com/en/4790
I am having the same exact problems as the OP. I was having overall system hang ups and crashes under OSX without parallels running and narrowed that problem to faulty RAM. With that memory removed from the system, no other OSX crashes occur until runninng parallels. While parallels opens and runs my winxp vm fine, it appears that after attempting to open a few word documents, it wants to open multiple instances of the vm for each one as it gives the "hdd already in use" message. Then shutting down the vm, remders the entire OSX unresponsive and a hard restart is required of the mac. Your response mentioned this can occur when a build is not correctly upgraded. As I have been using the same build of parallels for a while without these problems, is it possible they are a result of the faulty memory that is now removed from the system? Should I attempt your stated fixes for my problem as well? Thanks.
I believe in your case you need to delete Windows Applications folder from VM folder, and also all links from Dock for Windows Applications and associate Applications again
Ok Thanks for the quick reply. So deleting the windows application folder and all windows programs from dock is your recommended actions? Will the applications folder be recreated simply by running parallels and my vm the next time? If this does not solve my problem will it be harmful to follow your suggestions to the OP? Thanks again.
No, you need to select Populate on Windows Applications From Applications - Populate in Windows section
Like this? Sorry to be obnoxious, but is this what you mean I should do? http://kb.parallels.com/en/4816 Thanks again.