"There was an error trying to open the following parallel port" error message when you start a virtual machine in Virtual PC 2004 Service Pack 1 (893173)

RESOLUTION

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Virtual PC service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

   Date         Time            Size       File name
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   10-Feb-2005  19:16           2,190,336  Vpc2004qfe893173_msdn.msp
   21-Feb-2005  16:33           3,455,488  Vpc2004qfe893173_update.msp

To apply this hotfix, you must modify each virtual machine file (.vmc) to include the following command: To do this, follow these steps:

1. Locate the virtual machine file that you want to modify. Typically, these .vmc files reside in the My Virtual Machines folder that is located in the My Documents folder.
2. Click the .vmc file, and then on the Edit menu, click Copy.
3. On the Edit menu, click Paste. This creates a copy of the .vmc file.
4. Right-click the original .vmc file, point to Open With, and then click Choose Program.
5. In the list of Programs, click Notepad.
   
   Note Click to clear the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file check box if it is selected.
6. Click OK.
7. In Notepad, click Edit, and then click Find.
8. Type super_io, and then click Find Next.
9. Locate the following set of command lines:

   <parallel_port id="0">
   <port_name type="string">LPT1</port_name>
   <port_type type="integer">1</port_type>
   </parallel_port>

10. Position your pointer at the end of the <port_type type="integer">1</port_type> command line, and then press ENTER.
11. Type the following new line:

    <port_shared type="boolean">true</port_shared>

    The command lines now appear as follows:

    <parallel_port id="0">
    <port_name type="string">LPT1</port_name>
    <port_type type="integer">1</port_type>
    <port_shared type="boolean">true</port_shared>
    </parallel_port>

12. Save the .vmc file, and then quit Notepad.
13. Repeat steps 1 through 13 for each .vmc file that you want to modify.