Cannot change my screensaver properties

[Guest]

It is grayed out in the properties window. Used to be able to change the
time, style, go to no screensaver. Now i am stuck with one screensaver and i
cannot control it at all.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Visit here...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Read the instructions at the top.
Scroll down to...
232. Lift Screen Saver Restrictions - Admin

screensaverestrictions.reg is the file that you want.

230. Right hand side
Wait is Greyed Out under Screen Saver Tab

waitgreyedout.reg is the file that you want.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

I get an error message that says that regedit has been disabled by my
administrator ...

weird since I am the administrator.

I can't start in safe mode either ... I think i have a virus going on here.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

See this...

Error message "Tweak UI has been disabled by your administrator" while
launching TweakUI
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/tweakuirest.htm

This article also helps with: Registry Editing has been disabled by your
administrator

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Glad to hear it. Keep having fun.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

OOPS! I just thought the problem was fixed, since when I noticed the grayed
out condition had been corrected I quickly changed scr files, set the time to
wait and clicked on preview, all of which worked fine. The only problem,
hopefully, that is left is that I can wait forever but the screensaver never
starts. It will start if I select Preview, but not on its own. Any ideas?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

The screen saver does not work when you use a Wireless Optical Desktop mouse
on a Windows XP SP2-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/911895

The screen saver does not work on a Windows XP-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916256

The screen saver does not start after you install the Wireless Optical
Desktop device
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913405

Screen Saver Does Not Start When Using Media Player.

Windows Media Player | Tools | Options | Player tab |
Allow screen saver during playback

Allow screen saver during playback
[[Specifies whether a screen saver is displayed, according to options you
set in Windows, when Windows Media Player is playing digital media files.]]

Do you have the XP MCE (Media Center Edition)?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Wesley,
Thanks for the additional tips. I followed all three associated with
wireless devices, even though my devices (keyboard and mouse) are not
Microsoft devices, they are HP devices designed to work with my HP Pavilion
Laptop. The Screen Saver still would not start (I set it for 1 minute wait).
It still runs when I choose "Preview" but does not start on its own. One
additional piece of info which may help you steer me toward a solution is
that I have used the HP wireless keyboard and mouse for over a year, with
Screen Saver working right along. The problem started in November 2006 after
running Registry Mechanic (all Screen Saver controls in the Display
Properties dialog box under Screen Saver Tab were grayed out). Following
your recommendations has thus far restored the controls, allowing me to
change scr files, set the wait time, and see the screen saver working when I
choose "Preview." The Screen Saver just will not start on its own when the
"Wait" time has expired with no mouse or keyboard movements.

So far, to get to this point, I have imported the following to my registry:
1. waitgreyedout.reg
2. screensaverestrictions.reg
3. screensaverenabledisable.vbs
4. screensaveactive.reg

If you have any other ideas, I will be happy to try them out.

Thank you,
--
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer

The screen saver does not work when you use a Wireless Optical Desktop mouse
on a Windows XP SP2-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/911895

The screen saver does not work on a Windows XP-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916256

The screen saver does not start after you install the Wireless Optical
Desktop device
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913405

Screen Saver Does Not Start When Using Media Player.

Windows Media Player | Tools | Options | Player tab |
Allow screen saver during playback

Allow screen saver during playback
[[Specifies whether a screen saver is displayed, according to options you
set in Windows, when Windows Media Player is playing digital media files.]]

Do you have the XP MCE (Media Center Edition)?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

OOPS! I just thought the problem was fixed, since when I noticed the
grayed out condition had been corrected I quickly changed scr files, set
the time to wait and clicked on preview, all of which worked fine. The
only problem, hopefully, that is left is that I can wait forever but the
screensaver never starts. It will start if I select Preview, but not on
its own. Any ideas? --
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer

 

[Wesley Vogel]

HP Pavilion Laptop.

With XP MCE (Media Center Edition)??

The screen saver does not work on XP MCE (Media Center Edition)

<quote>
I have the same problem. Turns out, ehtray.exe is the culprit. It's the
part of Media Center that downloads the guide information. When it's
running, screensaver will not kick in. When I manually disable it via the
task manager, screensaver works. Haven't found a workaround that allows it
to run and my screensaver to run. Perhaps someone out there has the
solution.

You can also disable it from running in the first place in
msconfig/startup..untick ehtray

Bob
-----
<quote>

ehtray.exe sounds like the Canadian version of systray.exe to me. ;-) Eh?

<quote>
ehtray.exe is a process is the tray bar process for the Microsoft Media
Center. It gives you easy access to the digital media manager. This is a
non-essential process. Disabling or enabling this is down to user
preference.
<quote>
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/ehtray/

ehtray.exe is the Media Center Tray Applet
http://support.microsoft.com/dllhelp/?dlltype=file&l=55&alpha=ehtray.exe&S=1&x=6&y=9

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Wesley,
Thanks for the additional tips. I followed all three associated with
wireless devices, even though my devices (keyboard and mouse) are not
Microsoft devices, they are HP devices designed to work with my HP
Pavilion Laptop. The Screen Saver still would not start (I set it for 1
minute wait). It still runs when I choose "Preview" but does not start
on its own. One additional piece of info which may help you steer me
toward a solution is that I have used the HP wireless keyboard and mouse
for over a year, with Screen Saver working right along. The problem
started in November 2006 after running Registry Mechanic (all Screen
Saver controls in the Display Properties dialog box under Screen Saver
Tab were grayed out). Following your recommendations has thus far
restored the controls, allowing me to change scr files, set the wait
time, and see the screen saver working when I choose "Preview." The
Screen Saver just will not start on its own when the "Wait" time has
expired with no mouse or keyboard movements.

So far, to get to this point, I have imported the following to my
registry:
1. waitgreyedout.reg
2. screensaverestrictions.reg
3. screensaverenabledisable.vbs
4. screensaveactive.reg

If you have any other ideas, I will be happy to try them out.

Thank you,
--
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer

The screen saver does not work when you use a Wireless Optical Desktop
mouse on a Windows XP SP2-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/911895

The screen saver does not work on a Windows XP-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916256

The screen saver does not start after you install the Wireless Optical
Desktop device
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913405

Screen Saver Does Not Start When Using Media Player.

Windows Media Player | Tools | Options | Player tab |
Allow screen saver during playback

Allow screen saver during playback
[[Specifies whether a screen saver is displayed, according to options you
set in Windows, when Windows Media Player is playing digital media
files.]]

Do you have the XP MCE (Media Center Edition)?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

OOPS! I just thought the problem was fixed, since when I noticed the
grayed out condition had been corrected I quickly changed scr files, set
the time to wait and clicked on preview, all of which worked fine. The
only problem, hopefully, that is left is that I can wait forever but the
screensaver never starts. It will start if I select Preview, but not on
its own. Any ideas? --
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer


:

Glad to hear it. Keep having fun.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Xancus <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Wesley,
Thanks for your tips on this problem. I don't know if I needed both
these reg files or not, I had already installed the
"waitgrayedout.reg" at the advice of an online HP Tech Support
Technician, but it did not fix my problem of the whole screen saver
control area being grayed out. But, when I installed the first file
you mentioned, "screensaverrestrictions.reg," the problem was
resolved.
Thanks,
--
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer


:

Visit here...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Read the instructions at the top.
Scroll down to...
232. Lift Screen Saver Restrictions - Admin

screensaverestrictions.reg is the file that you want.

230. Right hand side
Wait is Greyed Out under Screen Saver Tab

waitgreyedout.reg is the file that you want.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Georganne <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
It is grayed out in the properties window. Used to be able to
change the time, style, go to no screensaver. Now i am stuck with
one screensaver and i cannot control it at all.

 

[Guest]

Wesley,
Thanks for responding again. I forgot to mention that while waiting to hear
from you or someone else, I kept on searching through the other threads and
noted the advice you gave someone else about ehtray.exe and went searching
for it to get rid of it. But, I did not find it running in task manager,
which seems reasonable since I do not have Media Center Edition, I have Home
Edition. I also followed your, or someone else's advice re (I don't remember
the exact names) something to do with PCM and DVD (as I vaguely recall), but
again I did not find either of these so couldn't remove them. I am about to
conclude that as someone suggested, something recently has caused a new
process to run in task manager which keeps the system sufficiently active so
as to never allow the screen saver to start.

I wish I knew more about the processes which run in task manager, so I could
try ending them one by one in the hopes of finding the one possibly causing
the system to remain sufficiently active so as to never allow the wait timer
to kick in and start screen saver. Now that I think about it, perhaps a good
test would be to do a clean boot, without all the services running, and test
the screen saver to see if it kicks in and starts without all the services.

Guess I will keep on working the problem. I wouldn't be so persistent
except that I had no problems with screen saver for the past two years (at
least one year of which I had the HP wireless keyboard and mouse installed),
spending an average of 3 to 6 hours a day online, with the screen saver
starting numerous times each day.

The only change I recall is my purchase and installation of Registry
Mechanic (by PC Tools) in Nov 2006. I ran it about 5 times in total with no
problems with screen saver until the last time I ran it. I have uninstalled
it.

Thanks for all your help, I am grateful to you for it.
--
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer

HP Pavilion Laptop.

With XP MCE (Media Center Edition)??

The screen saver does not work on XP MCE (Media Center Edition)

<quote>
I have the same problem. Turns out, ehtray.exe is the culprit. It's the
part of Media Center that downloads the guide information. When it's
running, screensaver will not kick in. When I manually disable it via the
task manager, screensaver works. Haven't found a workaround that allows it
to run and my screensaver to run. Perhaps someone out there has the
solution.

You can also disable it from running in the first place in
msconfig/startup..untick ehtray

Bob
-----
<quote>

ehtray.exe sounds like the Canadian version of systray.exe to me. ;-) Eh?

<quote>
ehtray.exe is a process is the tray bar process for the Microsoft Media
Center. It gives you easy access to the digital media manager. This is a
non-essential process. Disabling or enabling this is down to user
preference.
<quote>
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/ehtray/

ehtray.exe is the Media Center Tray Applet
http://support.microsoft.com/dllhelp/?dlltype=file&l=55&alpha=ehtray.exe&S=1&x=6&y=9

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Wesley,
Thanks for the additional tips. I followed all three associated with
wireless devices, even though my devices (keyboard and mouse) are not
Microsoft devices, they are HP devices designed to work with my HP
Pavilion Laptop. The Screen Saver still would not start (I set it for 1
minute wait). It still runs when I choose "Preview" but does not start
on its own. One additional piece of info which may help you steer me
toward a solution is that I have used the HP wireless keyboard and mouse
for over a year, with Screen Saver working right along. The problem
started in November 2006 after running Registry Mechanic (all Screen
Saver controls in the Display Properties dialog box under Screen Saver
Tab were grayed out). Following your recommendations has thus far
restored the controls, allowing me to change scr files, set the wait
time, and see the screen saver working when I choose "Preview." The
Screen Saver just will not start on its own when the "Wait" time has
expired with no mouse or keyboard movements.

So far, to get to this point, I have imported the following to my
registry:
1. waitgreyedout.reg
2. screensaverestrictions.reg
3. screensaverenabledisable.vbs
4. screensaveactive.reg

If you have any other ideas, I will be happy to try them out.

Thank you,
--
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer

The screen saver does not work when you use a Wireless Optical Desktop
mouse on a Windows XP SP2-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/911895

The screen saver does not work on a Windows XP-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916256

The screen saver does not start after you install the Wireless Optical
Desktop device
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913405

Screen Saver Does Not Start When Using Media Player.

Windows Media Player | Tools | Options | Player tab |
Allow screen saver during playback

Allow screen saver during playback
[[Specifies whether a screen saver is displayed, according to options you
set in Windows, when Windows Media Player is playing digital media
files.]]

Do you have the XP MCE (Media Center Edition)?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Xancus <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
OOPS! I just thought the problem was fixed, since when I noticed the
grayed out condition had been corrected I quickly changed scr files, set
the time to wait and clicked on preview, all of which worked fine. The
only problem, hopefully, that is left is that I can wait forever but the
screensaver never starts. It will start if I select Preview, but not on
its own. Any ideas? --
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer


:

Glad to hear it. Keep having fun.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Xancus <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Wesley,
Thanks for your tips on this problem. I don't know if I needed both
these reg files or not, I had already installed the
"waitgrayedout.reg" at the advice of an online HP Tech Support
Technician, but it did not fix my problem of the whole screen saver
control area being grayed out. But, when I installed the first file
you mentioned, "screensaverrestrictions.reg," the problem was
resolved.
Thanks,
--
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer


:

Visit here...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Read the instructions at the top.
Scroll down to...
232. Lift Screen Saver Restrictions - Admin

screensaverestrictions.reg is the file that you want.

230. Right hand side
Wait is Greyed Out under Screen Saver Tab

waitgreyedout.reg is the file that you want.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Georganne <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
It is grayed out in the properties window. Used to be able to
change the time, style, go to no screensaver. Now i am stuck with
one screensaver and i cannot control it at all.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Try this.

Open System Information...
Start | Run | Type: msinfo32 | Click OK |
Click the [+] next to Software Environment |
Click on Running Tasks

Hit Ctrl + A to select All.
Hit Ctrl + C to Copy to the Clipboard.

Paste that into a message and post back.

Registry Mechanic could have caused the problem.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Wesley,
Thanks for responding again. I forgot to mention that while waiting to
hear from you or someone else, I kept on searching through the other
threads and noted the advice you gave someone else about ehtray.exe and
went searching for it to get rid of it. But, I did not find it running
in task manager, which seems reasonable since I do not have Media Center
Edition, I have Home Edition. I also followed your, or someone else's
advice re (I don't remember the exact names) something to do with PCM and
DVD (as I vaguely recall), but again I did not find either of these so
couldn't remove them. I am about to conclude that as someone suggested,
something recently has caused a new process to run in task manager which
keeps the system sufficiently active so as to never allow the screen
saver to start.

I wish I knew more about the processes which run in task manager, so I
could try ending them one by one in the hopes of finding the one possibly
causing the system to remain sufficiently active so as to never allow the
wait timer to kick in and start screen saver. Now that I think about it,
perhaps a good test would be to do a clean boot, without all the services
running, and test the screen saver to see if it kicks in and starts
without all the services.

Guess I will keep on working the problem. I wouldn't be so persistent
except that I had no problems with screen saver for the past two years (at
least one year of which I had the HP wireless keyboard and mouse
installed), spending an average of 3 to 6 hours a day online, with the
screen saver starting numerous times each day.

The only change I recall is my purchase and installation of Registry
Mechanic (by PC Tools) in Nov 2006. I ran it about 5 times in total with
no problems with screen saver until the last time I ran it. I have
uninstalled it.

Thanks for all your help, I am grateful to you for it.
--
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer

HP Pavilion Laptop.

With XP MCE (Media Center Edition)??

The screen saver does not work on XP MCE (Media Center Edition)

<quote>
I have the same problem. Turns out, ehtray.exe is the culprit. It's the
part of Media Center that downloads the guide information. When it's
running, screensaver will not kick in. When I manually disable it via the
task manager, screensaver works. Haven't found a workaround that allows
it to run and my screensaver to run. Perhaps someone out there has the
solution.

You can also disable it from running in the first place in
msconfig/startup..untick ehtray

Bob
-----
<quote>

ehtray.exe sounds like the Canadian version of systray.exe to me. ;-)
Eh?

<quote>
ehtray.exe is a process is the tray bar process for the Microsoft Media
Center. It gives you easy access to the digital media manager. This is a
non-essential process. Disabling or enabling this is down to user
preference.
<quote>
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/ehtray/

ehtray.exe is the Media Center Tray Applet
http://support.microsoft.com/dllhelp/?dlltype=file&l=55&alpha=ehtray.exe&S=1&x=6&y=9

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Wesley,
Thanks for the additional tips. I followed all three associated with
wireless devices, even though my devices (keyboard and mouse) are not
Microsoft devices, they are HP devices designed to work with my HP
Pavilion Laptop. The Screen Saver still would not start (I set it for 1
minute wait). It still runs when I choose "Preview" but does not start
on its own. One additional piece of info which may help you steer me
toward a solution is that I have used the HP wireless keyboard and mouse
for over a year, with Screen Saver working right along. The problem
started in November 2006 after running Registry Mechanic (all Screen
Saver controls in the Display Properties dialog box under Screen Saver
Tab were grayed out). Following your recommendations has thus far
restored the controls, allowing me to change scr files, set the wait
time, and see the screen saver working when I choose "Preview." The
Screen Saver just will not start on its own when the "Wait" time has
expired with no mouse or keyboard movements.

So far, to get to this point, I have imported the following to my
registry:
1. waitgreyedout.reg
2. screensaverestrictions.reg
3. screensaverenabledisable.vbs
4. screensaveactive.reg

If you have any other ideas, I will be happy to try them out.

Thank you,
--
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer


:

The screen saver does not work when you use a Wireless Optical Desktop
mouse on a Windows XP SP2-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/911895

The screen saver does not work on a Windows XP-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916256

The screen saver does not start after you install the Wireless Optical
Desktop device
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913405

Screen Saver Does Not Start When Using Media Player.

Windows Media Player | Tools | Options | Player tab |
Allow screen saver during playback

Allow screen saver during playback
[[Specifies whether a screen saver is displayed, according to options
you set in Windows, when Windows Media Player is playing digital media
files.]]

Do you have the XP MCE (Media Center Edition)?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Xancus <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
OOPS! I just thought the problem was fixed, since when I noticed the
grayed out condition had been corrected I quickly changed scr files,
set the time to wait and clicked on preview, all of which worked
fine. The only problem, hopefully, that is left is that I can wait
forever but the screensaver never starts. It will start if I select
Preview, but not on its own. Any ideas? --
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer


:

Glad to hear it. Keep having fun.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Xancus <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Wesley,
Thanks for your tips on this problem. I don't know if I needed both
these reg files or not, I had already installed the
"waitgrayedout.reg" at the advice of an online HP Tech Support
Technician, but it did not fix my problem of the whole screen saver
control area being grayed out. But, when I installed the first file
you mentioned, "screensaverrestrictions.reg," the problem was
resolved.
Thanks,
--
Xancus, Retired Computer Engineer


:

Visit here...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Read the instructions at the top.
Scroll down to...
232. Lift Screen Saver Restrictions - Admin

screensaverestrictions.reg is the file that you want.

230. Right hand side
Wait is Greyed Out under Screen Saver Tab

waitgreyedout.reg is the file that you want.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Georganne <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
It is grayed out in the properties window. Used to be able to
change the time, style, go to no screensaver. Now i am stuck with
one screensaver and i cannot control it at all.