Windows 2008 R2 CORE running Generic VGA Drivers - FIX
I had a Windows 2008 R2 CORE Server with VMTools installed. It was having slow performance with the graphics. I determined that it was using the generic VGA drivers, not the VMWare SVGA 3D drivers. I tried to re-install the tools, but it did not help. I’ve seen this with non-core servers, but it is easy to change drivers in non-core servers. This is how your fix it running Core.
First you need to determine what drivers you are using.
Disable the firewall
Netsh firewall set opmode mode=disabled
Enable viewing Device Manager from a remote computer
From a Remote Workstation
Run MMC
Add the Group Policy Object Snap-in.
Manage your Windows 2008 R2 Core Server
Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / System / Device Installation
Allow remote access to the plug and play interface = enable
Use Computer Manager to view the drivers remotely
On a remote workstation, MMC
Add the Computer Manager Snap-in
Select your remote Windows 2008 R2 Core Server
Navigate Computer Manager / System Tools / Device Manager
Open Display Adapters
If you are running the generic VGA drivers, update the driver to the VMWare one
From the Windows 2008 R2 Core console
Change the directory to c:\program files\common files\vmware\drivers\wddm_video\
Then run: pnputil -i -a vm3d.inf
Restart the server
Check the driver with the remote MMC.
You will need to restart MMC for it to see the updated drivers.
