Running two screen savers simultaneously

[Eric Moore]

I work for a library that implements a PC Reservation system made by
EnvisionWare. When a computer is not in use for a set period of time, a
built-in screen saver launches, displaying the EnvisionWare logo. The
product provides no means of controlling the screen saver, whether it should
run or when it should launch.

We have deployed another screen saver (WSS) that displays a series of slides
after a timeout of three minutes. The problem we have run into is that it is
entirely eclipsed by the PC Reservation screen saver. WSS supports a wide
range of configuration options, but none that addresses this issue.

Since neither vendor has a solution, I was wondering if there is any chance
that Windows XP Professional provides any control over which screen saver
should be displayed and which should be hidden? I realize this is unlikely,
but I need to be sure I have exhausted all possibilities.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I work for a library that implements a PC Reservation system made by
EnvisionWare. When a computer is not in use for a set period of time, a
built-in screen saver launches, displaying the EnvisionWare logo. The
product provides no means of controlling the screen saver, whether it
should
run or when it should launch.

We have deployed another screen saver (WSS) that displays a series of
slides
after a timeout of three minutes. The problem we have run into is that it
is
entirely eclipsed by the PC Reservation screen saver. WSS supports a wide
range of configuration options, but none that addresses this issue.

Since neither vendor has a solution, I was wondering if there is any
chance
that Windows XP Professional provides any control over which screen saver
should be displayed and which should be hidden? I realize this is
unlikely,
but I need to be sure I have exhausted all possibilities.

You are not really talking about screen savers in the sense
of Windows. You are talking about two independent third-
party programs, both of which are running at the same time.
Each has an inbuilt timer that will trigger a certain display
which you call "Screen Saver" but is just a different picture
under control of this application. Your question is equivalent
to asking "How can I get Windows to prevent the Outlook
transparent New Mail box from popping up". You can't -
either you tell Outlook not to do it or you kill Outlook.

I can see these options for you:
- Lean on your suppliers to include a switch to disable
this "screen saver" display.
- See if you can forcibly minimise the application whose
"screen saver" you do not want.
- Use your own timer to get Windows to kill the program
whose "screen saver" you do not want.