guest VM only use one vcpu even it has two.

[jonson]

Hi

I am running window 2000 advance server with sql 2000 on ESX 3.0. I have assign two cpu on the vm but I notice that the VM already only use one cpu in host, and the second cpu it always 0% even windows 2000 show it use 100% of the CPU

Do any one know why this happen?

Thanks

[oreeh]

Is the correct HAL installed in the VM (assuming you've added the second CPU after installing the VM)?

[jonson]

not sure, we did add the second cpu after installing VM, how do I check and how can I install the correct HAL, We are running windows 2000 standard version

Thanks

[oreeh]

In this case a single-CPU HAL is installed.

You have to update it to a SMP-HAL.

This MS KB entry describes the necessary steps.

[jonson]

Thanks Oreeh,

After we upgrade the HAL, can I run more than 2 Vcpu? We have 2 dual core CPU

in ESX

[oreeh]

In theory you can. In practice I recommend not to do this,

With only 4 cores the ESX scheduler would have lots of problems to schedule a VM using 4 vCPUs - which could/will lead to a performance decrease.

[jonson]

Thanks oreeh