Parallels runs very slow

Hi, I have an Intel MacBook with 2GB of RAM, running OS10.5.2
I have installed Parrallels with XP SP2. I use it to run AutoCAD and an accounting package. It is VERY slow, to the point where AutoCAD is unusable. I'm guessing I have configured it wrongly, but even if I set the memory allocation to its maximum (1600MB), which makes the rest of my MAc unusably slow, AutoCAd is still slow.

Are there other settings I can change to speed it up or is it just not up to the job??

Thanks.

 

Please see some recommendations bellow

1. Set memory for Virtual Machine to less, let us say to 1 gb
2. Perform Mac and Windows side disk defragmentation http://www.xvsxp.com/system/system_tools_defrag.php
3. enable Intel VT-x support on Parallels Desktop -<Virtual Machine name>-Edit-Virtual Machine-Options -Advanced
4. Disable Themes in Windows XP serives.msc stop Themes service

 

Thanks, that has helped a bit....