Unable To Load Office 2000, Neither Outlook Or Outlook Express?

I do not have the new laptop on, it is an expensive paper weight at the moment. None of my XP software works. I loaded MS XP Mode, I was able to load Office 2000, neither Outlook or outlook express work and I dispise MS Mail and all web based mail. None of my CAD programs worked in XP mode. Note: Acer does not have the hardware support. I removed MS XP Mode. Loaded VMware Player with XP Pro,loaded all my programs, copied my old HDD to new files in virtual machine. Setup Office 2000 Outlook and outlook express work perfect as does all office 2000. Cad programs work (or so I thought) I wasted 3 hours designing a generator room in one of my cad programs and all was well till I tried to create a new file on the virtual drive and was unable to. Tried to save my drawing to any file, was not allowed.

Spent the rest of the day re-drawing the generator room on old laptop. Tried all of the things on setting up networking the drives and folders, was still unable to create new file folders or save any new cad files. There is nothing wrong with this old laptop, it is just 6 years old and found a great deal on the Acer. Tried to load XP on a new HDD, that failed (somewhat) after loading and looking at the properties, many drivers were not working. It seems all MFG's are looking to MS to develop their drivers.What else can I try to get XP Mode to work like XPI can not afford to upgrade all my programs and with that, none of my old files would be usable.I use several cad programs daily at the same time as I work on several projects at the same time, plus I do all my own quotes and PO's and send to vendors, plus receive in everything. I have to be able to create new files and save everything I do where I want toThis is also the first time I have used a new OS so soon. I usually give it a few years.I went from 95 2nd Ed to XP all was smooth. Stayed away from ME and Vista like the plague