Parallels 5 keeps restarting my dock

Discussion in 'Windows Virtual Machine' started by jhbarker, Nov 8, 2009.

  1. jhbarker

    jhbarker Bit poster

    Messages:
    8
    Whenever I open Parallels 5 or open one of my Windows VMs, I get this message:
    "The Windows Applications folder is being removed from the Dock. To add it back, right-click the Microsoft Windows XP virtual machine in the list, choose Configure > Shared Applications and select Show Windows applications folder in the Dock." and an "OK" button.

    and the dock restarts. One very annoying aspect of this is that recent files and folders I have added to the dock disappear.

    I add those files back to the dock, they are again removed once I open Parallels and get that message . . .

    What is going on?
     
  2. wonder_mice

    wonder_mice Hunter

    Messages:
    192
    Hi,

    Yes, we know about that problem and fixing it. Workarounds:
    1. "Disable Show Windows applications folder in Dock" option (Configuration -> Options -> Shared Applications)
    OR
    2. Go inside Virtual Machine bundle (select Show Package Content in right-click menu in Finder), locate .hdd bundle and go inside it (select Show Package Content in right-click menu in Finder). Open DiskDescriptor.xml in TextEdit. Locate <GuestToolsVersion> section. Edit it to be <GuestToolsVersion>5.0.9220</GuestToolsVersion>
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2009
  3. BostonJoe

    BostonJoe Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    This is a really annoying behavior. It removes any non-app icons in the dock even though I've disabled the 'show windows application folder in dock' option for all my images. Is there any way to disable this feature all together?
     
  4. canny

    canny Bit poster

    Messages:
    5
    Me too

    Same problem with the added twist that I have turned off "show applications folder in dock" for any windows VMs but the ubuntu install (for which this feature does not appear to be supported and thus cannot be turned off) will restart the dock anyway.
     
  5. canny

    canny Bit poster

    Messages:
    5
    Not quite


    It's doing it for a Ubuntu virtual machine which already has 5.0.9220 as the GuestToolsVersion and shows "not available for this guest operating system" under Configuration -> Options -> Shared Applications.
     
  6. jhbarker

    jhbarker Bit poster

    Messages:
    8
    Huh?

    wonder_mice

    Thanks for replying but:
    1. I already have selected to Disable Show Windows applications folder in Dock for my windows VMs
    2. xml file for both of my windows machines already says "<GuestToolsVersion>5.0.9220</GuestToolsVersion>"

    I noticed another poster also has an ubuntu VM. I do, too. Is that causing trouble? (Of course, I realize it does not support showing its apps in the dock.)
     
  7. canny

    canny Bit poster

    Messages:
    5
    Ubuntu it is

    I've removed the Ubuntu VM from the VM list and the behaviour has stopped. I'm guessing the lack of support for a "Windows Applications folder" is somehow the cause of the problem.
     
  8. wonder_mice

    wonder_mice Hunter

    Messages:
    192
    Oh, that looks very weird, possibly this is another problem. Can you provide following information:
    1. Screenshot of your Dock with many "Windows Applications" folders in it
    2. Problem report. To make problem report, go to "Help -> Report a Problem" and post problem report number (id) here
    3. File /Users/<You>/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock.plist
    (it is required for 2 and 3 to have "bug reproduced" and to have several "Windows Applications" folders in Dock, especially for Ubuntu guest)

    Thanks.
     
  9. jhbarker

    jhbarker Bit poster

    Messages:
    8
    removing Ubuntu . . .

    removing Ubuntu from the VM list did not stop the problem for me. I still get the message about how the windows application folder is being removed, the dock restarts, and files and folders have disappeared from the dock. very annoying.
     
  10. wonder_mice

    wonder_mice Hunter

    Messages:
    192
    I need Problem Report and com.apple.dock.plist file to help you. I don't understand yet why this happens.
     
  11. canny

    canny Bit poster

    Messages:
    5
    There never are multiple folder it just restarts the dock with this message every time, losing any shortcuts to files I had placed there for reference. Putting a copy of the dock plist back and restarting the dock clears it but that's not exactly convenient.

    Screenshot of error window should be attached.
     

    Attached Files:

  12. wonder_mice

    wonder_mice Hunter

    Messages:
    192
    People, look, I know about the problem and I know that it is driving you all crazy. But I don't know why this happens with you. I want to help and to solve the problem, but without some information from you I can't do it. Please, send a problem report (as described earlier), post its number (id) here and attach your ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock.plist file. There is something particular with your Mac's or Parallels configuration since we can't reproduce the issue in our labs.
     
  13. canny

    canny Bit poster

    Messages:
    5
    Have patience please. Not everyone sits around all day with nothing to do but file bug reports. We have jobs too.

    I've already sent you a private message asking how to post the requested info without posting it online. I can't just send you the report directly because I use this computer for work and I'm required to screen the information that goes out for anything that shouldn't go out. Please let me know how to get this to you now that it has been screened.
     
  14. jhbarker

    jhbarker Bit poster

    Messages:
    8
    I have filed a report

    I filed a report.

    PID # 806283

    Is there a way for me to sen you the dock plist directly, without posting it here?

    thanks
    jason
     
  15. wonder_mice

    wonder_mice Hunter

    Messages:
    192
    jhbarker,
    Thanks for the report! I have send a Private Message to you with contact.
     
  16. gianfri

    gianfri Bit poster

    Messages:
    4
    Still having this problem - Is there a solution?

    It looks like this thread has been dormant for a while. I have the same problem described here, with the message window popping up every time I start and close Parallels. Is there a way to stop this behavior? Thank you.
     
  17. Rich Walsh

    Rich Walsh Bit poster

    Messages:
    5
    What was the outcome of this, as I have exactly the same problem with Parallels 5 and my Boot Camp Windows XP install?
     
  18. jhbarker

    jhbarker Bit poster

    Messages:
    8
    Update

    I submitted the info and files requested by the Parallels staff, and never heard back.

    My hope is that it is addressed in the next (first?) Parallels 5 update.
     
  19. wonder_mice

    wonder_mice Hunter

    Messages:
    192
    We have fixed the problem. Yes, fix will be available in Parallels Desktop for Mac 5 update.
     
  20. Pope

    Pope Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    No Fix...

    I'm running version 5 and the same exact thing happens to me now with Windows 7 !!! Ughhh!!!!!
     

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