Parallels doesn't auto-launch my VM.

Launching Parallels itself brings me to a "New VM Wizard" with no choice of "locate an existing VM". Cancelling the Wizard quits Parallels. ARG! I have to double-click the .pvs file to boot into my VM.

I have tried solutions listed on this site like ensuring that Parallels has the correct path to my VM's folder (it does).

What's more frustrating, it is almost impossible to access the VM's configuration settings. Clicking the .pvs file boots the VM. Stopping the VM using the red button (to access the configuration settings) quits Parallels!

I have to quit the VM, then I have about a second to select Edit>Virtual Machine before Parallels quits. Many times I have missed that moment in time and had to try again, shutting down a VM as it is booting, which I'm sure isn't good for the OS.

It would be much less frustrating if Parallels just stayed open when I stopped a VM.

 

hi,
you can configure this Parallels behaviour. To do it select Parallells->Preferences menu item find there necessary checkboxes.

 

which setting do I change to keep Parallels open upon stopping a VM (and to keep the VM's configurations visible)?

And how do I get Parallels to automatically boot into my VM when I launch Parallels?

 

Hit configuration on the config window. You should be highlighted over the top of the list on the left that says 'Options'. Select the 'Booting' tab and you should find the checkboxes there. To get in without booting hold down the apple or command key.

 

Thanks for the help. I see a checkbox that says "Exit application on VM shutdown". It is unchecked, yet Parallels still quits when I stop the VM.

I don't understand your comment "To get in without booting hold down the apple or command key."

If I hold down command while launching Parallels it still brings me to the "OS Installation Assistant". If I hold down command while double clicking the .pvs file it still boots the VM.

 

hi,
as variant you can do necessary changes at VM configuration manually. Read about it here:
http://forum.parallels.com/showthread.php?t=15736

 

Odd, dpouliot... Not quite sure why it doesn't work...

 

try the option key, not the command(apple) key...

The checkbox "Exit application on VM shutdown" just shuts down whatever applications are running. you can set what paralles does when you stop the VM under the Parallels desktop menu: preferences:general

 

Option? That's what I thought originally, until others told it was command. I never have the issue, I disabled the problem on all my computers and I used the .pvs file in the past. So quotquot.

 

I tried launching Parallels while holding down option key, still brings me to OS Installation Assistant.

I do not see an option that tells Parallels to remain launched upon stopping a VM.

 

Interesting. I didn't know .pvs files were just text. That said, I noticed these values in my pvs file:
Start auto = 0
AutoShutdown = 0

for kicks I changed them to:
Start auto = 1
AutoShutdown = 1

then tried 1) launching Parallels (still brings me to @#$% OS Install wizard!) and 2) launching then shutting down VM (still quits Parallels).

 

Well, I think zero is no, and 1 is true. It was on the right settings to start with. Parallels?

 

I agree. I just changed the numbers to see if ANYTHING different would happen. Then I changed them back to 0.

 

I wasn't criticizing your approach, I do the same when things are broke without being able to find a fix. I would submit a trouble ticket and hope that this thread gets Parallels' attention. Heck, you can even try to PM Tim Surgent or Archy and see if that gets their attention.

 

I think there is a serious bug with how parallels launches & edits VM settings, see my (similar) experiences here: http://forums.parallels.com/thread16231.html

 

Full description: http://kb.parallels.com/entry/27/470/0/
(See Troubleshooting section)

Best regards,
John

 

Thanks John,
This helped me to get to the VM config: "While pressing the Command key, double-click the virtual machine's alias."

But it is incredibly frustrating that I have to result to an undiscoverable method to edit my config.

Furthermore, the other tip: "While pressing the Command key, start Parallels Desktop from the Applications folder. If you have more then one virtual machines, select the desired virtual machine in the Select virtual machine dialog and click the Select button."

didn't help me at all. No matter what I do, when I start Parallels by double-clicking its application icon it insists on starting that New VM wizard. There is no way for me to select an existing VM!