Microsoft KB Archive/824594

Knowledge Base

Virtual Machine Stops Responding When You Start It from a Saved State

Article ID: 824594

Article Last Modified on 9/2/2003

---

APPLIES TO

• Connectix Virtual PC for Mac 5.0
• Connectix Virtual PC for Mac 6.0
• Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac Version 6.1

---

SYMPTOMS

When you start a virtual machine from a saved state in Virtual PC for Mac, the virtual machine may stop responding (hang) while Virtual PC for Mac restores the environment.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, follow these methods in the order that they presented:

Method 1: Clean Start

1. Quit Virtual PC. If Virtual PC does not respond, follow these steps:
   1. Press the key combination COMMAND + OPTION + ESC.
   2. Select Virtual PC from the list, and then click Force Quit.
   3. Close the Force Quit dialog box.
2. Restart the host.
3. Start Virtual PC.
4. Start the virtual machine where the behavior that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section occurred.
5. You may receive an error message that the saved state cannot be restored. Click Discard Changes. The virtual machine restarts, and then checks the drives on the host hard disk.

If the virtual machine does not start, continue to the next method.

Method 2: Remove the Preferences File

There may be a problem with the VPC preferences file. To remove and re-create this file, follow these steps.

Note Locate your serial number for Virtual PC before you remove the preferences file. When Virtual PC starts without a preferences file, you may be prompted for the serial number.

1. Quit Virtual PC. If Virtual PC does not respond, follow these steps:
   1. Press the key combination COMMAND + OPTION + ESC.
   2. Select Virtual PC from the list, and then click Force Quit.
   3. Close the Force Quit dialog box.
2. Locate the preferences file, and then drag the file to the Trash. You can find the preferences file in the following folder:
   • Mac OS X: Users/current user/Library/Preferences/Virtual PC version number Preferences
   • Mac OS 9: System Folder/Preferences/Virtual PC version number Preferences
3. Start Virtual PC.
4. Start the virtual machine where the behavior that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section occurred.

Method 3: Start a Different Virtual Machine

Start a different virtual machine. If you cannot start the other virtual machine, there may be a problem with your installation of Virtual PC for Mac. Call Microsoft Product Support if you need help.

If the other virtual machine does start, shut down the virtual machine, and then continue to the next method.

Method 4: Test the Hard Disk

To verify that the hard disk image is not damaged, follow these steps:

1. Start Virtual PC.
2. On the Window menu, click Virtual Disk Assistant.
3. Click Examine or modify existing disk image, and then click the right arrow.
4. Click Select a hard disk image attached to a PC, and then click the right arrow.
5. In the PC list, click the virtual machine.
6. In the drive list, click the name of the drive that is drive 1 on this virtual machine.
7. Close Virtual Disk Assistant.

Method 5: Re-create the Virtual Machine

Replace the image file with a backup copy, or create a new image to replace the damaged image.

Note This method may result in data loss.

Before you create a new virtual machine, follow these steps:

1. Start Virtual PC.
2. Select the virtual machine that you cannot start, and then click Settings.
3. Write down all the configuration information, and then click Cancel.

You can use this information to create a new virtual machine. For more information about how to create a virtual machine, see your Virtual PC manual or Virtual PC Help.

Additional query words: error performance sleep waken

Keywords: kbprb KB824594

---

Send feedback to Microsoft

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.