Why do XP screensavers randomly fail to engage?

[yerk5]

I've run into this randomly on several xp boxes. Where the screensaver
simply wont engage after the specified idle time as it should. I know
there's probably a million 3rd party apps that could be the culprit,
but I would think Windows should trump whatever other thing is
suspending the screensaver from kicking in.

When you have sensitive data that's secured via NTFS permissions and
you set a screen saver to kick in after 5 minutes (with the "on
resume, display Welcome screen" option) in the event you forget to
lock your desktop while walking away, it would be nice to feel
confident that your data is never more than 5 minutes from being
protected from the average lay-person. But no. XP ruined that
confidence for me. If I don't manually lock the desktop, I have no
guarantee the screensaver will.

Usually we can fix this (for a time) by choosing no screensaver and
applying this choice, then choosing a screensaver again and saving
this choice. This usually only lasts for awhile before it happens
again randomly. Thanks XP.

 

[Victor]

I know what you mean. I have the same problem with the monitor power saver
mode. Every few weeks it fails to engage for no reason at all ???

 

[Bill Blanton]

It helps to give a quick click on the desktop or taskbar before walking
away. That ensures that Windows [Explorer} has the focus and not any
misbehaving apps.

 

[Bob I]

Windows screen savers "trump" nothing. If there is sufficient activity,
harddrive, or processor, then the IDLE timer will never time out to the
set delay. Simple as that. Correct those background issues and you won't
have a problem.