Unable To Reinstall Parallels

I have searched for an hour or more and I can not find my answer. Here is the story...

I was on a business trip and I tried to used Windows XP to connect to the internet in my hotel, it did not work and I think I changed a setting in regards to the networking options for Parallels. I got home, tried to use my internet, and it was unsucessful. I tried to change my options, didn't work. My brother also has a MacBook, so I made sure all of my setting were the same, which they were. The only difference I could find was in System Preferences under network connections there were two connections in reference to Parallels, that I did not have on my computer.

After searching on how to fix this problem, I could not find it. I thought I found something similar, and it said to a) restart, and b) if it did not work to reinstall. I then uninstalled Parallels.

Once it was uninstalled, I also got AppZapper to ensure I removed EVERYTHING that I could find. I also opened the uninstaller AGAIN and it told me that Parallels is not installed on my computer. I then go to reinstall it, and the installer tells me that a) There is already a newer version of Parallels on my computer. So I choose to proceed anyway. Then b) it tells me that it "can not continue to install because there is nothing to install".

This is the story, please help me.

Thanks,
Alex

 

Bump Bump.

 

Did you shut down the computer before the reinstall? Maybe there was something left in RAM that prevented the install. Did you trash the Parallels Folder in your Applications Folder? Did you repair permissions? Also do a PRAM reset just in case. Another way you could do a new Parallels install is to do it from a New User account. I have two accounts on my MBP and both accounts have a WinXP Pro VM. So when I install Parallels in one account the other account also gets updated and works perfectly. You should ask in the Parallel forum if there is a log that tells where ALL the Parallel files are installed. There may be some weirdly named files that you might not recognize as being Parallel DT installation files.

I've haven't had any problems with my Parallels Desktop installs. I never uninstall a version to upgrade to the next. I've done this four or five times and am currently using 3188. Every upgrade went smoothly. I'm just throwing things out to you that you could look into.

Get yourself a utility such as OnyX or System Optimizer and remove all the System and User Cache files before doing installs.

I've used an application such as CleanApp (similar to AppZapper) which is supposed to locate all the files for uninstalling, but I've found it doesn't always get all the files. I would think the Parallels Uninstaller should do a good job uninstalling it's own files, but who knows. Good luck.

 

Yeah, did restart since I tried reinstalling. Yes, I trashed the Parallels folder. How do you repair permissions and do a PRAM reset?

 

Bump. Please help.

 

You should full uninstall Parallels Software. Please do it follow my instractions:

1. Please verify if this folder and their enteres exist and delete them in that case:
/Library/StartupItems/Parallels
/Applications/Parallels
/Library/Parallels (this is a default place for theParralels VM configurations prior v2.5)
/Documents/Paralles (this is a default place for theParralels VM configurations)

2. Delete this files if them have not been deleted by uninstaller:
/System/Library/Extensions/vmmain.kext
/System/Library/Extensions/hypervisor.kext
/System/Library/Extensions/helper.kext
/System/Library/Extensions/ConnectUSB.kext
/System/Library/Extensions/Pvsnet.kext

3. Reboot Mac.

 

Can't uninstall Parallels

Hello all. I am new to the forum. I have spent some time searching for answers to my questions.

I had a working parallels until I tried to upgrade to 3188. I then got an error about the virtual machine being unable to connect to some driver. I rebooted, same problems.

So I have tried to uninstall the program using the UNINSTALL app that comes on the original disk. I then try to reinstall and get the same message posted by bighauns: "nothing to install".

So I have tried deleting the files and folders at the locations listed by ksenks. The only thing I have kept is my virtual machine files (winxp.hdd, winxp.pvs, winxp.sav) (and a similar set for CentOS linux), though I drug them to my desktop so they would not be in the same folders. I have rebooted twice through this process. I have drug the Parallels folder out of my applications folder. I've even emptied the trash so it won't find it there.

I am still getting the same error "Nothing to install" error. It also tells me that the harddrive has newer software than the original disk that I am trying to install--so there must be some other file somewhere. I have run spotlight and searched for "paralles" and I can't find any files that look suspicious. Gosh, this is almost beginning to feel like Windows, where programs hide secret messages to themselves in the registry of something!

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Kevin

 

Already a newer version of Parallels on my computer...

Alex & Kevin (aka bighauns & kdtop),
You're both working too hard to fix this thing!
One thing to remember about Parallels Desktop for Mac is that each build has two components unique to that build: The Parallels Tools and the Parallels Uninstall program. You cannot uninstall Parallels build 3188 with a build 1970 uninstall program (which is probably what you have on your original CD). Each uninstall program is backwards compatible though, in that you can use the build 3188 uninstall program to remove a Parallels build 1970. And yes, the Parallels uninstaller doesn't remove all Parallels files but in 99% of the incidents I've worked with, the uninstaller removes the files that are critial.

Also, after upgrading Parallels, trash your current Parallels icon in the Application Dock or on your desktop and replace it with "Parallels Desktop" icon in the Applications>Parallels folder. This will resolve the "virtual machine being unable to connect to some driver" error that Kevin experienced.

My suggestion to both of you is to download the 3188 DMG package from the Parallels website http://www.parallels.com/en/download/desktop/ then use the uninstall program, then the re-install program. Once the install program finishes, it leaves a Parallels folder open on your desktop. Drag the "Parallels Desktop" icon to your Dock and launch Parallels from there. After launching your VM, cancel any Windows "found new hardware" wizards and promply open the Actions menu and choose "install Parallels tools". Follow the install sequence. After Windows reboots, you should be healthy and happy again.
Good luck! DS

 

Thanks for the prompt reply. I'll try this.

 

Thanks for the fix

Hey Parallels Supoort, Thank you for this fix, I had the same issue and your fix works.

 

Now to get re-activated

OK. That fix worked great. Thanks! So apparently, when I upgraded to 1388 the first time, I was somehow launching an old version with an old icon in the launcher bar? Seem like future upgrades could address this problem.

Anyway, I now have it reinstalled, and it wants my activation key. I have my original install disk, and it has the long serial number that starts 7sFVD-... But this isn't an activation key. I have gone back through my email, and I can't find any activation key sent to me (other than a trail one).

Can anyone help me? I can't remember how I got an activation when I installed the first time. I also can't remember what user name I used, or the company name (was is "NONE" or "HOME" or blank?)

I believe I did register. Would this info be stored in parallels database?

Thanks so much.

Kevin

 

That is the activation key (aka Serial Number). I used mine and it worked fine.

 

OK. I tried it again and it worked. Thanks!

Looks like I am back in business. Thanks everyone.

Kevin

 

I am out of town on business and I will try it when I get back. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Alex

 

I am in the process of reinstalling windows. I am just wondering if when I uninstalled Parallels, did it uninstal windows as well? If not, how do I get rid of it because I would then have two versions of windows somewhere on my HD would I not?

Thanks again for your help.

Alex

 

Go to spotlight and type in .pvs (not *.pvs) It might find your old installation of windows. If so, you can just open it up.

Kevin

 

Try this solution:
Open up hardrive/library/receipts and delete the parallels installer reciept.that should allow a reinstall without the "nothing to install" error.

 

Removing multiple VMs from the Mac HDD

Hey Alex,
uninstalling the Parallels program just removes it from the applications folder. It doesn't touch the VM which is located in the user folder. The easiest way to remove a VM is to browse on the Mac hard drive to Home user>Library>Parallels. At this level you should see one or more folders titled "Winxp", Winxp.1" or something representing a Windows install. These are either failed or successful VMs and can be just dragged into the trash if you don't want them. If you installed Parallels build 3186 or 3188 cleanly (not upgraded) the path to your VM will be Home user>Documents>Parallels. Good luck! DS

 

How do I tell the difference between my old and new one? I have uninstalled parallels, then reinstalled it and windows. So, I assume there are two VMs on my machine. How do I know what was first?

Thanks,

Alex

 

Alex,
Open up each on the the VM folders (i.e. winxp, winxp.1) and perform a "get info" on each of the winxp.hdd files. Check the creation date. That should clue you in as to which one you want to keep. To get info, hover the mouse pointer over the .hdd file and right click. If you don't have a right click mouse then press the control key on the keyboard and click the mouse. That will give you a menu with "get info".