Fix Windows XP in VM Session or Uninstall VM Fusion?

[blives]

I'm REALLY new to MAC and VMWare Fusion so am skittish on how to fix the Windows XP problem I'm now getting in the vm session (\windows\system32\config\system file is missing or corrupt. Attempt to repair using Windows setup using original Setup CD-ROM.). Since I don't seem to get how to do this exactly my question is: Should I attempt to (1) or (2)? ...

(1) 'Fix' the windows os? If so, how? If I were to execute setup off the Windows CD on my MAC, how would it know to communicate to the VM session? I am afraid to do so outright for fear of installing Windows on my MAC os.

OR

(2) Uninstall the VM s/w and reinstall. If this is the best approach, anything to be aware of before I do so? I see an uninstall on the vm s/w disk and so will run that and expect that all will be 'wiped out' so that I can cleanly install again. Which is recommended, approach 1 or 2?

Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

bonnie

[admin]

The error that you are seeing is a Windows error so there is no point in reinstalling the Fusion application. What you can attempt in this situation is to boot to the Windows XP install disk and then try the Repair. I am of the assumption that you are using Fusion 3.x. If so the below steps will help you in booting to the Windows install disk and do the repair:

1. Power on the virtual machine. Insert the Windows install disk into the CD drive of the Mac.

2. Go to Virtual Machine>Settings>Advanced. Click on Startup Device and select the option "CD/DVD".

3. Click "Restart".

4. Now your virtual machine will boot to the Windows install disk. Now when the setup screen appears press the "R" key on the keyboard to start the Repair process.

Let me know if this helps.

[blives]

Here's what I've been able to do (IN ALL CAPS):

1. Power on the virtual machine. Insert the Windows install disk into the CD drive of the Mac. -- DONE

2. Go to Virtual Machine>Settings>Advanced. Click on Startup Device and select the option "CD/DVD". --DONE

3. Click "Restart". -- THE RESTART OPTION STAYS GREYED OUT AND 'UNSELECTABLE' SO AM STUCK AT THIS STEP.

4. Now your virtual machine will boot to the Windows install disk. Now when the setup screen appears press the "R" key on the keyboard to start the Repair process.

[blives]

Here's what I've been able to do (IN ALL CAPS):

1. Power on the virtual machine. Insert the Windows install disk into the CD drive of the Mac. -- DONE

2. Go to Virtual Machine>Settings>Advanced. Click on Startup Device and select the option "CD/DVD". --DONE

3. Click "Restart". -- THE 'RESTART' OPTION STAYS GREYED OUT AND 'UNSELECTABLE' SO AM STUCK AT THIS STEP. REGARDLESS OF WHICH STARTUP DEVICE I SELECT, THE 'RESTART' OPTION STAYS GREYED OUT.

4. Now your virtual machine will boot to the Windows install disk. Now when the setup screen appears press the "R" key on the keyboard to start the Repair process.

[admin]

Shut down the vm by going to Virtual Machine>Shut Down from the top menu bar. Go to Virtual Machine>Settings>CDs&DVDs, here enable the "Connected" checkbox and make sure the option "Automatically detect physical CD/DVD drive" is selected.

Click on "Show all" and then go to Advanced>Startup Devices, here select CD/DVD now power on the virtual machine normally by clicking on the Play button and this would now boot to the install CD.

[blives]

Here's what I've been able to do (IN ALL CAPS):

With your additional guidance, I've been able to continue after double-checking that for CD/DVD the "Connected" checkbox is selected and that the option "Automatically detect physical CD/DVD drive" is selected but....

1. Power on the virtual machine. Insert the Windows install disk into the CD drive of the Mac. -- DONE

2. Go to Virtual Machine>Settings>Advanced. Click on Startup Device and select the option "CD/DVD". --DONE

3. Click "Restart". -- DONE

4. Now your virtual machine will boot to the Windows install disk. Now when the setup screen appears press the "R" key on the keyboard to start the Repair process. -- DONE

During Windows Setup, all files are loaded and in the "Welcome to Setup" window, I select "R" to repair Windows Installation. Next message displayed is:

"Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer. Make sure any hard drives are powered on and connected and any disk-related hardware configuration is correct. Setup CANNOT continue. To quit Setup, press F3"

Pressing F3 to Quit is the only option available at that time.

Thanks for your time!

bonnie

[blives]

p.s. Just as an FYI, the VMware with Windows was installed and worked perfectly until my MAC was turned off while the VM session was open, thus causing the problem, I suspect. So, if fixing the XP is getting too convoluted, am wondering if uninstalling and reinstalling VMware could save some time? I want to fix my problem but I want to be cognizant of anyone's time in doing so. :smileyhappy:

[WoodyZ]

You need to boot the Virtual Machine with the Windows XP CD and do the following: How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting

You will also need to read the following and may need to use some of the other information below.

Windows XP Recovery Console

==========

Also if your Host OS is OS X 10.5.x then you may need to temporarily disable F8 for Spaces in OS X System Preferences > Mouse & Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts or under Expose & Spaces > Spaces as you will need the F8 Key to get into Safe Mode

Also under OS X System Preferences > Mouse & Keyboard > Keyboard > Use all F1, F2, etc. check box

Also using the "fn" key, e.g fn+F8

You can also look at VMware Fusion menu bar click VMware Fusion > Preferences... > and uncheck Enable Mac OS keyboard shortcuts (For Fusion 2.x Keyboard & Mouse > Mac OS Shortcuts > uncheck Enable Mac OS Keyboard Shortcuts)

I'm mentioning all the various keyboard related items because depending on how you may have any of these configures can/will effect just how you get F8 to function in the Virtual Machine for being able to boot into Safe Mode.

Note: For Recovery Console or Repair Install if you're using VMware SCSI Virtual Hard Drive you will need to use the VMware SCSI Driver from VMware's Web Site.

If you used Windows Easy Install and or you're using SCSI Virtual Hard Drive then you need to load the VMware SCSI Drivers when booting from the Windows Install CD by pressing F6 at the appropriate time as noted on the bottom of the Virtual Machine display during this process.

You can download the VMware SCSI Driver Disk from VMware and assign the .flp to the Floppy

You can the assign the "vmscsi-1.2.0.4.flp" to a Floppy Drive by adding it to the Virtual Machine via the Settings sheet. Have a look at:

Fusion 1.x: VMware Fusion (menu bar) > Help > VMware Fusion Help > Managing Virtual Machines > Configuring a Floppy Device

Fusion 2.x: VMware Fusion (menu bar) > Help > VMware Fusion Help > Managing Virtual Machines > Managing Other Devices with the Settings Window > Configuring a Floppy Device > Adding a Floppy Device

Fusion 3.x: VMware Fusion (menu bar) > Help > Search > type Floppy and then select Add a Floppy Device

This floppy image contains the VMware SCSI Disk Drivers needed when booting with the Windows XP CD and you need to press F6 when it says "Press F6 if you need to install..." near the bottom of the Virtual Machine window and it will then prompt for the driver after it continues to load additional files. Just follow the prompts.

[blives]

UGH! Although you've provided extensive information (and it's appreciated), I don't feel comfortable getting potentially so deep into it with my inexperience with this configuration.

Since I just bought this MAC, am having issues with VMWare supporting a corrupt install of Windows OS, any recommendations on where can I take this laptop so that an experienced professional can fix my laptop?

thanks...

[WoodyZ]

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