VM interferes with update

Installation of the latest update locks up at the "Detection" stage, asking me to shut down a running or suspended VM. It cites the valid name of a virtual machine once created under an old version of Parallels. The problem is that I can't find this VM; it isn't listed in the Parallels list of VM's and Finder doesn't turn up a ".pvm" file for it. It seems to be an unwanted artifact that stops installation of the update, but I can't get to it to remove it. Any suggestions?

 

If this is an old version then I suppose it is an .hdd file (hard disk image). Also, there are only two default locations where virtual machines could have been stored: /Users/<username>/Documents/Parallels/<VM_name> and /Users/<username>/Library/Parallels/<VM_name>, I would suggest to check them both.

Generally, an issue with virtual machine reporting as suspended was caused by a lock file in the HDD package, you can check the post in the following thread:
http://forum.parallels.com/showthread.php?t=20270

 

Thanks, but no cigar. The old VM name that is causing the problem does not appear in either place & Finder can't locate it anywhere on the computer. Since it was created in P 3.0 I searched for .hdd files and there are none....and yet the Installer for the current update to 4.0.3810.351567 is finding it and tripping over it. (4.0 is running fine, just can't update).

 

Can you tell the exact error message then?

Also, you can always try downloading the latest build directly and use it to uninstall Parallels Desktop and install it back.
http://www.parallels.com/download/desktop/
However, it is imoprtant to see the exact error message first, you can also send a report to Parallels via Help -> Report a problem and the post here the report ID.

 

Thanks. There isn't a conventional error message. The Installer just enters step 5, Detection, and its dialogue box tells me that to continue I must quit all running or suspended VM's and applications running on them. It has a box that specifies the VM that is causing the hangup, which is where I see the name of the old VM that can;t be located. At that point the two choices are Go Back or Continue, but Continue is not available (greyed). While that installer is running Parallels help isn't available, so I can't find a way to do a screen shot for a report. I'll try your suggestion of downloading the new build & reinstalling the whole thing.

 

OK, that worked. I'll just use that procedure for future updates. The old VM name doesn't seem to interfere with anything else. Thanks again