How to recover a corrupt Parallels virtual machine

Parallels is a very impressive piece of software, but it's not quite ready for prime time. In addition to using it on two different computers myself, I know many other people who use it on a daily basis, and although it's by far the best way to run multiple operating systems on an Intel Mac, it's also full of problems. If you use Parallels on a regular basis on different networks, you are likely already familiar with the various networking and VPN quirks, and if you have been using it for long enough, you might have also discovered that virtual machines will occasionally become corrupt and refuse to boot. And if you have ever tried to get free email support from Parallels, then you have almost certainly discovered that they are unable to keep up with demand. Again, I want to stress that Parallels is a remarkable piece of software, and it gets better with each update, however if you're using it for mission-critical operations, be sure to make frequent backups.

But if you haven't been backing up your data, and you've run into the dreaded corrupt virtual machine problem, there is actually a relatively painless way to recover your data:

1. Create a new VM. Configure it any way you want, and get it to the point where you are ready to install the guest OS (presumably Windows).
2. Before installing the guest OS, edit the VM by clicking on the edit button, then click "Add..." beneath the property table.
3. Click "Next", then select "Hard Disk", then "Use an existing hard disk image".
4. Browse to your previous virtual hard disk (the one with the data you want to recover) and choose "Finish".
5. Install the guest OS. Be careful not to install it on the virtual hard disk that you are trying to recover.
6. When you boot into your new installation of Windows, open Explorer, and notice that your old virtual hard disk is mounted and that all your old data is accessible.

I've had enough problems with Parallels that I've stopped using it on a daily basis and have gone back to trying to get by in a Windows-centric world using nothing but OS X. I haven't given up on Parallels entirely, however, and with every update, I give it a fresh chance since I still believe that if you absolutely have to run Windows, the best way to run it is as a Mac app.

Comments

[CyberMANSA]

Hey Christian

I tried your advice on recovering a corrupt machine. I can't even see the old virtual hard drive. I must add, I am new to Leopard and Parallels and didn't quite get the select old virtual drive bit. I created a brand new virtual PC and installed the OS. The old one is still in tact. How do I access the data on the old one?

[OG]

I didn't get to the end of the posts to see that by removing/replacing the hdd xml file one could be back in business quickly. I did get as far as 'restoring your VM from backup', however. TimeMachine did it and 6 minutes later I was up.

So, backups do work in this situation. It's worth the investment, especially if you're already using Leopard.

-otto

[MatthewN5]

Well, I tried this solution and the old .hdd would not open any which way. There wasn't an XML file where there was supposed to be.. no idea why. So I trashed the old Windows XP and am recreating a new VM. Luckily I have everything backed up and a copy of all the software. Makes me want to warn all who read this to *keep a proper backup of the files on the VM*.
Thanks Paul!

[Lost]

I have a .hdd package with several .hds files inside -- and the recovery procedure (see http://kb.parallels.com/en/4680) will create a new XML file for any of the .hds files -- but only the oldest is recognized by Windows (which is useless for me. I need my newest data). None of the other converted files works - in the Parallels Explorer or in Windows. WinXP sees there is a drive, but thinks it is empty (or no file system). Parallels Mounter/Explorer also says there is no volume or it is an unrecongized file system. Is there any way to fix the file system from within Windows? Anything else I can do?

[Larry Bolton]

Does anyone have any comparisons between Fusion and Parallels? I've been using Parallels for a couple of years now, and about every 6 months the .hdd file gets corrupted and will not open.

After paying $29.99 for telephone support I was promptly emailed a link to a page with a set of instructions I should follow to fix the problem. This did not set well with me. I had searched their Knowledge Base for any self help instructions I could find to avoid the fee, and only the exact phrasing returned the right result.

Then, after following the steps exactly, when I tried to launch the VM it asked me to re-install Windows.

Also, I have been pretty good about creating "snapshots" but when I tried to launch them they also had an error.

I'm very frustrated with the product and the company's support. It should be much more robust and the "snapshot" backup system appears to be worthless - it only works if there are no problems - what good is that?

I'm wondering if switching to Fusion will help me avoid these issues, or if the same problems happen with that product as well.

[Martin Olson]

Can a file, unintentionally removed from a parallels VM drive, be recovered (Parallels 5.0)?
If so, how?