How to properly get rid of a DVD drive?

[keithos27]

Hi everyone. I have a new MacBook Pro Retina and bought the Apple USB SuperDrive so that I can install Windows 8.1 from a clean install DVD. I connect the USB DVD drive, insert the Windows 8.1 DVD, install Parallels Desktop 9, and then install Windows 8.1. Everything runs smoothly and Windows installs. I then shut down the virtual machine, quit Parallels, eject the Parallels installer image, eject the Windows 8.1 DVD, and disconnect the SuperDrive.

The next time I start Windows 8.1, however, I get an error that the CD/DVD drive no longer exists. What steps should I have taken to prevent that error message from popping up?

Thanks,
Keith

 

[kat]

Hi Keith,

You can unckeck connected select your vm>along the top near the apple select Virtual Machine>configuration>hardware>cd/dvd1 unceck Connected/

 

[keithos27]

Hi Kat

So I would do that step after shutting down my virtual machine for the first time and before turning the virtual machine back on?

Windows 8 won't be looking for a DVD drive again?

Keith

 

[strells]

Your VM, not Windows, thinks there's a drive as part of its hardware configuration. If you tell Parallels that it is disconnected, it will no longer complain about not being able to access it.

Steve

 

[kat]

Hi Keith,
Steve is correct about his statement it is the VM that is looking for the DVD drive, and yes, your vm should be should be shut down, I have included a picture with all the steps (but the drop down menu will disappear once you select Configuration).