I'm a recent Mac convert, but that's a different story I'll tell another time.

What's important is that I am able to do my job, which is to write Windows software, on the Macintosh. I can do this because of an incredible application called Parallels. Parallels allows me to run Windows on my Mac, but better yet when run in Coherence mode Windows applications run seemlessly along side Mac applications as if the Mac were able to run Windows apps out of the box. It is truly an amazing thing to see.

I've been running in Coherence mode since one of the beta releases of Parallels and quite frankly have become adicted to it. I didn't realize how badly until it quit working one day. All of a sudden I started getting an error dialog in Parallels each time I would try to start it in Coherence mode.



I tried everything I could think of to get it working. I even posted a case on in the forums at Parallels to see if anyone else has had this problem. However, I got no response. So, since I had gotten so used to running in Coherence mode it just about drove me bonkers to run in "Full Screen" or "OS Window" modes. So, I kept trying to figure out what was going on.

Once day I got a core dump in Windows. You know, the BSOD, Blue Screen of Death. When that happened I took the time to investigate it a little and noticed that it was my video driver. Hmmmmm... So, as one of my last ditch efforts I tried reinstalling the Parallels Tools in Windows from the ISO image that ships with Parallels in hopes that it would reinstall the video driver and perhaps fix Coherence mode. Sure enough, after reinstalling the Parallels Tools... Walla! Coherence mode worked again! Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus!

So, in an effort to share my joy, I wanted to post my results here in hopes that it helps someone else. Below are the steps I took to reinstall the Parallels Tools in Windows.

How to reinstall the  Parallels Tools in Windows:

1. On the Parallels menu select Devices -> CD/DVD-ROM 1 (or whatever the CD option is on your machine) -> Connect Image
2. Locate the file called "vmtools.iso" It should be located in the "Macintosh HD\Library\Parallels\Tools" directory.
3. Select the "vmtools.iso" file and press the "Open" button. This should cause the Parallels Tools installer to start automatically.
   
4. Follow the instructions given in the setup dialogs for Parallels Tools.
5. When the install is complete, restart Windows.
6. You should now be able to run in Coherence mode again.

I hope this has been helpful. Have a blessed day.