Transporter=XP boot, no files

[vincebodie]

Hi all,

This is my first ever post, and probably not my last...

I am helping someone try to recover an XP install that went awry. Here is her problem to the best of her memory and what she tried to do about it:

· I was running Windows XP Pro inside of Parallels. After about 7 months, I started getting “messages†saying that “memory was low,†or that I was running out of space on the hard drive. (I can’t remember if it was one or both of these.)

· I created a 2nd separate version of Parallels, and installed Windows XP Pro inside of it.

· I then tried to import the files from the 1st Parallels into the 2nd Parallels, using Parallels Transporter.

· The last thing I remember was trying to import the .hdd drive from the 1st Parallels. It seemed to be doing something for about 25-30 minutes (I got the “please wait†message). Then when it was done, I tried to reboot the 1st Parallels, and I could never get back to the Windows XP desktop. All I get is a two-tone blue screen.

· I can get the Windows XP desktop on the 2nd Parallels, but there are no files in it (or if there are, I don’t know where to find them.)

· So my MAIN PROBLEM IS:

· I cannot access the hundreds of files that were “inside of†the 1st Parallels, because I cannot get the 1st Parallels to open properly.

Not having worked on her machine yet, I guess my first question is can Parallels even be installed twice (the application itself I mean), or does she mean she installed a second VM? This is my guess. So, is there any reason for me not to try running Transporter again? Of course first I will back up the original .hdd file to an external drive. Any tips or suggestions before I move forward?

Thanks!

 

[Xenos]

Hello Vincebodie,

You can not install Parallels Desktop on Mac twice. I think your friend meant another VM.

All Windows information is stored in .hdd file. You should create a new VM in custom mode and use the existing virtual hard disk. If the .hdd is not corrupted, you will be able to run the new VM with the old Guest OS. So you don't need Transporter.

If the .hdd has been corrupted, you can restore the system in the initial state from a .hds file inside .hdd. I will explain that in details if you need.

Good luck!

Best regards,
Xenos

 

[vincebodie]

Xenos,

Thanks for the helpful tips. I have a feeling I will need to work with .hds file, as she was having stability problems which started this whole problem in the first place. Can you give more info on this, or point me toward another thread that covers it?

Thanks!
Vince

 

[Xenos]

Hello Vince,

You should find the .hdd file, right click it and open package contents. You will see a number of .hds files there. Take the latest (and the biggest) of these files, make a copy of it and paste on your Mac desktop. Rename this copy - let it be WinNew.hdd.

Create a new VM in Custom mode and use the WinNew.hdd file as a virtual hard disk for the new VM.

Best regards,
Xenos