Cannot start Virtual Machine after Hard Disk resize: 'Unable to connect to Hard Disk 1'

Symptoms

I cannot start Windows Virtual Machine after resizing its Hard Disk

Error message:

    "Unable to connect to Hard disk 1. No operating system Installed on this Virtual Machine."

Resolution

In order to check the Virtual Hard Disk you will need a second Virtual Machine.

NOTE: To create new Virtual Machine please refer to this article: How to install Windows virtual machine on Mac using Parallels Desktop?

Note: We would strongly recommend to backup your original Virtual Machine before performing the steps below.

Once the second Virtual Machine is installed please follow the steps below:

1. Start the Second Virtual Machine (VM 2), install Parallels Tools (in the menu bar go to Virtual machine > Install Parallels Tools)
2. Shut down VM 2, go to the Configuration of VM2 > Hardware and click '+'
3. Add the Hard Disk from original Virtual Machine (VM 1) (the one that has been corrupted)

4. Switch to Boot Order and uncheck second (that you've just added) Hard Disk 2:

   

5. Start VM 2
6. Download Test Disk (.zip file) from http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Download to VM 2
7. Unzip testdisk-xxx.win.zip file to the Desktop of VM 2

8. Open the resulting testdisk folder and launch Test Disk application (testdisk-win.exe)

   

9. Create new log file

   

10. Choose the disk partition that has been connected

    

11. Choose the type of partition (for Windows Virtual machines choose "Intel")

    

12. Analyse the partition

    

13. Choose 'Quick search'

    

14. choose 'Write' to write the boot sector of partition

15. quit Test Disk

    

16. shut down VM 2
17. Go to the Configuration > Hardware of VM 2 and disconnect Hard Disk that has been added (choose Hard Disk 2 and click on '-')
18. Start your original Virtual Machine and install Parallels Tools

For more details on working with TestDisk utility please visit its Documentation at http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk and Step-by-Step guide