Troubleshooting: Parallels Mouse Synchronization

by AJ George

We had a bit of a panic here at IconLogic. When doing a routine install of a wireless mouse onto our iMac running Parallels, we somehow managed to anger the computer gods and found ourselves unable to run Parallels in Coherence mode (the mode allowing Windows and the Mac operating system to operate seamlessly as one).

Furthering our frustration were the hoops we were being made to jump through to get technical support from the Parallels website. To access the site's live chat, a service code was needed, one which none of us seemed to possess. To get a service code we'd need to register the software, but none of us could remember if we'd already done that.

We thought calling might be the better solution. However, Parallells charges a fee for technical support (it wasn't an entirely exorbitant amount, but having to pay to get help with a glitch in their software really ruffled our feathers). In addition, even if we weren't put off by the service charge, we needed that pesky service code.

Luckily, the light at the end of our tunnel was an industrious Parallels forum member named Michael who posted the following simple solution:

1. Click Start.
2. Select Control Panel.

   The Control Panel window opens.

3. Select System.

   The System Properties dialog box appears.

4. Select the Hardware tab.
5. Click the Device Manager button.

   The Device Manager window opens.

6. Expand the Mice and other pointing devices category.
7. Double-click Parallels Mouse Synchronization Device.

   The Parallels Mouse Synchronization Device Properties dialog box appears.

8. Select the Driver tab.
9. Click the Update Driver button.

   The Hardware Update Wizard appears.

10. Select No, not this time and click Next.
11. Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced) and click Next.
12. Select Don't search. I will choose the driver to install. and click Next.
13. Select Parallels Mouse Synchronization Device and click Next.
14. Click Finish.
15. Restart your computer, and all is right in the world again.