Unable To Reinstall Parallels

[bighauns]

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

 

[bokappy]

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

I had the same problem and followed your instructions and now I'm up and running. Thanks alot. I seem to get this Autoplay dialogue alot and things are slow..... Can't seem to explore the computer without things really bogging down. Any suggestions?

 

[Atomic_Fusion]

bokappy wrote: "I seem to get this Autoplay dialogue alot and things are slow..... Can't seem to explore the computer without things really bogging down. Any suggestions?"
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Download Powertoys for XP and go through the entire thing and disable every XP thing in there that you don't need. Your system will run much faster.

In there, you can disable the autoplay feature for all the drives, not just cds. This includes any additional drives that you plug via USB or firewire in the future.

Another nice feature is to auto login to windows, and avoid that pesky log-in screen every time.

The first thing I also do after a fresh install of Windows is disable the System Restore service, which can be done by right-clicking on My Computer, selecting the Properties, selecting the System Restore tab, and checking "Disable System Restore." You will immediately see a rise in performance after this.

 

[parallels support]

I had the same problem and followed your instructions and now I'm up and running. Thanks alot. I seem to get this Autoplay dialogue alot and things are slow..... Can't seem to explore the computer without things really bogging down. Any suggestions?

How much total memory do you have in your Mac and how much is allocated to the VM?