Multiple problems, wont open

1) I cant start Parallels. When i try to, it gives me an error saying:

"Virtual machine cannot be started because of the following problem:

Parallels Desktop is unable to access the virtual hard disk image file /Users/mddharma/Documents/Parallels/Microsoft Windows XP 2/winxp.hdd. The file is used by other application."

I dont know what it means by this, as I have no other program that could read that file type. I have tried making a new VM, but it gives me the same error.

2) Less of a problem, but stil one: I cant check for updates. It says its a registered copy under "Activate Product" but then the user Name area just has ---. If i could, i would try reactivating it, but dont know the key.

Thanks!

 

For the first problem:
1. back up the virtual machine.
2. navigate to /Users/mddharma/Documents/Parallels/Microsoft Windows XP 2/winxp.hdd
3. right-click on winxp.hdd and select "show package content"
4. inside the .pvm find an .hds file and extract it out of the bundle (drag it out).
5. rename this .hds file to winxp.hdd
6. Create a new virtual machine based on this winxp.hdd (Custom installation mode, "use existing hard disk image").

For the second problem, make sure that you have registered on our site. This is necessary to receive updates.

 

Thanks, but in the meantime i upgraded to 4 and so far am having no problems here, for my home parallels however, thats getting ugly.

 

for point 4, I did not find .pvm, and can I drag any .hds file to anywhere?
for point 6, could you pls advise how to custom installation mode, ;use existing hard disk image'?