Using USB with Windows XP - is there a definitive answer?

S

scgljg

Bit poster
I see a lot of threads on the topic of USB devices and them not being recognized by Windows running in Parallels.

Is there a definitive answer on whether Windows running under Parallels will or will not recognize a USB device such as a memory stick or PDA? Does the version of Parallels make a difference?

I just made the switch to Mac with Windows running in Parallels but every time I insert a USB device into the USB port I get the message that many before me have received "the USB device you are trying to connect to the virtual machine is is in use by another application...close that application or unplug the device and plug it in again.."

Nothing in the manual is helpful on this subject.
 
I used to have this issue *all the time*. I don't know if this will help you but I've upgraded to 3.0 and to Vista and my issues went away. It was a double upgrade so I cannot tell you if it was 3.0 or Vista but I suspect it was the 3.0 upgrade that fixed it.

What is really funny is when I got the device busy error from Parallels, I could *see* my device mounted properly in XP. It was Parallels that got all confused by itself..
 
I never see the device mounted in XP - doesn't show up under My Computer.

Another question - if I download 3.0 do I have to go through the same routine again - i.e. install 3.0, then install Windows, then install Tools? Or will it recognize that I just want to upgrade Parallels?
 
scgljg said:
I see a lot of threads on the topic of USB devices and them not being recognized by Windows running in Parallels.

Is there a definitive answer on whether Windows running under Parallels will or will not recognize a USB device such as a memory stick or PDA? Does the version of Parallels make a difference?

I just made the switch to Mac with Windows running in Parallels but every time I insert a USB device into the USB port I get the message that many before me have received "the USB device you are trying to connect to the virtual machine is is in use by another application...close that application or unplug the device and plug it in again.."

Nothing in the manual is helpful on this subject.
Click to expand...

If the Mac has already attached the device then Windows cannot have it. You have to open a Finder window and eject it. Having done that you need to open the devices -> USB menu and select the drive there. In my system that is enough for Windows to attach and open the device. I have several devices and the oldest of them will not mount in Parallels/Windows, but the rest are fine.
 
Thanks - tried that, same error message.

When I click Devices, USB it gives me 4 choices, none of which are to select the drive (they're things like Apple internal keyboard/trackpad, Apple Wireless, Built-in i-sight - don't see how any of these will allow me to select the drive)
 
What other apps do you have running? Something is taking over your USB stick because it should show up in the USB devices list if it successfully mounts on the Mac side.

Steve
 
Thanks all for input. For benefit of anyone with same issues - I installed Parallels 3.0 (still with windows XP) and all problems immediately disappeared. Connected seamlessly with memory stick, Palm PDA (Activesync), SkyCaddie golf GPS device etc etc.
 
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