This topic offers advice for configuring a Windows 2000 guest operating system for better performance inside a VMware GSX Server virtual machine. It pertains to the guest operating system that is running inside a virtual machine. It does not describe actions that should be taken on Windows 2000 running on the host computer.
To improve performance, you can:
Make certain VMware Tools is installed. VMware Tools provides an optimized SVGA driver and sets up the VMware Tools service to run automatically when the system starts. Among other things, the VMware Tools service allows you to synchronize the virtual machine's clock with the host computer's clock, which can improve performance for some functions.
The fade effects that Windows 2000 uses when displaying menus can be slow and make the virtual machine seem less responsive.
To disable them, right-click the guest operating system desktop, then choose Properties > Effects and uncheck the Use transition effects for menus and tool tips option.
Additionally, you can uncheck the Show window contents while dragging option. This may improve responsiveness when you are moving windows around the screen.
If the movement of the mouse in your Windows 2000 guest operating system appears jerky or unnatural, you should turn off the mouse pointer shadow. Choose Start > Settings > Control Panel > Mouse. The Mouse Properties dialog appears. Click the Pointers tab. Clear the Enable Pointer Shadow check box and click OK.
Your mouse should move more normally in your virtual machine now.
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