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Screen saver won't activate

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Original Message
Name: RTAdams89
Date: October 2, 2007 at 20:04:33 Pacific
Subject: Screen saver won't activate
OS: XP pro
CPU/Ram: na
Model/Manufacturer: na
Comment:

My screen saver recently stopped activating. It is set to come on after 7 minutes of inactivity, but now it no longer does. I have tried the usual steps (ad-ware scan, toggling screen saver on and off, etc.) but still no luck. I assume it is just something preventing the screen saver from activating, is there a way to see what program that would be? Are there any other possible causes/solutions?

-Ryan Adams
http://ryanadams.blogsite.org


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Response Number 1
Name: aegis
Date: October 2, 2007 at 21:04:14 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

I don't know if it will help, but you could start the Task Manager (ctrl-alt-del) and check the 'Applications' tab to see if anything is running. If not you can check the 'Processes' tab to see if there is something using the processor.

Another thing to try is run msconfig and deslect everything in the Startup tab except your firewall and anti-virus.


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Response Number 2
Name: aegis
Date: October 2, 2007 at 21:46:28 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

There is a fix to enable/disable screensaver at the following site. It's number 51 on the left. You could try it. Download and run it, then select enable or disable.


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Response Number 3
Name: Chuck 2
Date: October 3, 2007 at 05:22:06 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

This is the site "aegis" meant to give --
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_...

I think one culprit of this problem is
Yahoo Messenger.
Try closing the process ypager.exe


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Response Number 4
Name: RTAdams89
Date: October 3, 2007 at 07:11:31 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

Unfortunately that program made no difference.

I don't have yahoo messenger (or any IM program).

As an experiment, I tried creating a Scheduled Task that would run notepad.exe after the computer was idle for 2 minutes. This worked fine, so apparently Windows is accurately detecting when my computer is idle, but is for some reason not launching the screen saver.

Any more ideas?

-Ryan Adams
http://ryanadams.blogsite.org


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Response Number 5
Name: trek1701A
Date: October 3, 2007 at 09:18:33 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

By chance did you switch to a wireless optical mouse? If yes you might want to check this posting.

Seems not all wireless mice are all created equal.


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Response Number 6
Name: RTAdams89
Date: October 3, 2007 at 10:48:38 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

I saw that post and I ruled out that possibility as I haven't switched mice in a long time. Also, the fact that a tasked scheduled to execute after the computer is idle still would see to rule out that possibility also.

-Ryan Adams
http://ryanadams.blogsite.org


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Response Number 7
Name: Chuck 2
Date: October 3, 2007 at 18:30:29 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

You need more Spyware protection than just Ad-ware.

Spyware includes ----
Adware, Dialers, Browser Hijackers, Trojans, Cookies,
Key Loggers, Trackware, and other Malware while browsing the internet.

Most Virus and Spyware scans are likely to work better in Windows Safe-Mode.


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Response Number 8
Name: RTAdams89
Date: October 3, 2007 at 19:56:54 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

I checked all that. I ran Ad-Aware and SpyBot. I also have AVg installed and runnign all the time, but just did a full scan to be safe. I checked the process list and windows startup items, and there is nothing in either that is different from before this problem appeared. I tried booting into safe mode, the screen saver won't activate there either. To me, all this indicates it's either a system setting or a corrupt system file. What registry keys are responsible for the screen saver? What system file (other than the .scr file itself) deal with the screen saver execution?

-Ryan Adams
http://ryanadams.blogsite.org


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Response Number 9
Name: Chuck 2
Date: October 4, 2007 at 05:15:59 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

This page has alot of XP fixes
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_...
Some require the download of a VBS file.
So, read at the top of that page--
"How to use a VBS file"

Yours may be Line 51, or 227 on the right.


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Response Number 10
Name: RTAdams89
Date: October 4, 2007 at 10:44:14 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

Both of those fixes were already suggested but didn't work. I searched the registry for "Screensaver" and everything that mentions the screensaver is set on active or "1". I don't think it is a registry issue.

-Ryan Adams
http://ryanadams.blogsite.org


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Response Number 11
Name: RTAdams89
Date: October 7, 2007 at 09:34:48 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

Interestingly, the screen saver started working again. Don't have a clue why.

-Ryan Adams
http://ryanadams.blogsite.org


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