Reinstall Host Operating System

[kevinw]

I've recently developed a problem with the Safari web browser (actually any browser) on one of the iMac's I have in the house. Seems it can't connect to any "Hosted Web Site" that is at the top of any search result. (e.g. if I search for Delta and it returns Delta Airlines at the top of the web page as a "Hosted Web Site" also know as a "pay per click site" when I click on the link I get "Cannot locate this web site on this server" )

This problem occurs on any hosted web link. I spoke with Apple level 1 and level 2 support who basically had me rid every cache, preference, etc and even reinstall Safari but no luck. (Remember also doesn't work on Firefox either) so although they sent the problem to Apple software engineering and they "possibly could have other answers" the last guy at Apple I spoke believes a complete system re-install is in order.

My questions are:
1. Any sage advice on how this affects my Parallels VM.
2. Do any of the Windows backup or Time Machine Backs Help me reinstall Parallels VM?
3. I assume if their idea of a OS reinstall is to wipe the disk clean first, I will have to reinstall every piece of software on the machine now including Parallels. But any hints?

Thanks

 

[Eru Ithildur]

Hints as to what? Fixing your problem?

If you do not interface with BootCamp the easiest thing to do is put your .hdd and .pvs files onto an external drive to back-up all your windows data. That way, just install the Parallels app after you re-install OS X and drop the .hdd and .pvs files back on your HD and all your VM data is recovered.

 

[kevinw]

LOL - if you could fix it your more then welcome to try but I outlined the "problem" so people would understand why the OS was beign reinstalled.. So the hints I was looking for was as the subject suggest "Reinstalling the Host Operating System" and what you provided souunds like a good one. Thank you.