Failed to connect virtual device parallel0.

[jedwards73]

On a Vista laptop (no parallel port) I created a Windows 98 Virtual Machine using Workstation 6. I added a parallel port to the machine configuration and set it to hardware auto-detect. I moved the VM to a Windows XP desktop (with parallel port) and ran it using VMware Player (latest). The parallel port failed to automatically connect. When I manually connect it, I get the following error message.

Failed to connect virtual device parallel0.

I changed the host bios from PS/2 to ECP mode using DMA 1. But it still failed. I checked the guest BIOS and it is set to "Bi-Directional". Below is my configuration file.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jamie

config.version = "8"

virtualHW.version = "6"

scsi0.present = "TRUE"

memsize = "256"

ide0:0.present = "TRUE"

ide0:0.fileName = "Windows 98.vmdk"

ide1:0.present = "TRUE"

ide1:0.fileName = "auto detect"

ide1:0.deviceType = "cdrom-raw"

floppy0.autodetect = "TRUE"

usb.present = "TRUE"

ehci.present = "TRUE"

sound.present = "TRUE"

sound.fileName = "-1"

sound.autodetect = "TRUE"

svga.autodetect = "TRUE"

pciBridge0.present = "TRUE"

mks.keyboardFilter = "allow"

displayName = "Windows 98"

guestOS = "win98"

nvram = "Windows 98.nvram"

deploymentPlatform = "windows"

virtualHW.productCompatibility = "hosted"

tools.upgrade.policy = "useGlobal"

ide1:0.autodetect = "TRUE"

floppy0.fileName = "A:"

extendedConfigFile = "Windows 98.vmxf"

uuid.location = "56 4d da ee 3b 4f 4c 35-4d 16 35 4f ba 20 01 98"

uuid.bios = "56 4d da ee 3b 4f 4c 35-4d 16 35 4f ba 20 01 98"

ide0:0.redo = ""

checkpoint.vmState = ""

pciBridge0.pciSlotNumber = "17"

scsi0.pciSlotNumber = "16"

sound.pciSlotNumber = "32"

ehci.pciSlotNumber = "33"

floppy0.startConnected = "TRUE"

ide1:0.startConnected = "TRUE"

tools.remindInstall = "FALSE"

tools.syncTime = "FALSE"

parallel0.present = "TRUE"

parallel0.autodetect = "TRUE"

parallel0.bidirectional = "FALSE"

[RDPetruska]

Is there any application running on the host which is connected to/using the parallel port?

Have you tried specifying the port by name (e.g. LPT1)?

[jedwards73]

Hello,

I tried, but didn't know how to change the config file.

I tried setting the autodetect line to "LPT1" from "TRUE" but that didn't work. I also tried setting that to "FALSE" but that just gave another error message.

I assume that I need to set that to FALSE and add another line to set the port to LPT1. I just don't what line(s) to add/delete/edit.

Thanks,

Jamie

[RDPetruska]

Didn't you say you created the VM with Workstation on a different PC? Just use Workstation to modify the configuration as well.

[jedwards73]

I did try that also, but the only option I have under Parallel configuration is Auto. I assume this is because my laptop does not have a parallel port.

Jamie

[RDPetruska · Accepted solution]

OK, change the autodetect line to "FALSE".

Then add a new line parallel0.fileName = "LPT1"

[jedwards73]

Thanks! I will try that out tomorrow and report back.

Jamie

[jedwards73]

Worked like a charm. Thanks!

Jamie

[KoreanJune]

I'm Really Thank you for your help! Thanks