Screen Saver

[Linda]

I have Windows XP Home Edition V5.1 - Service Pack 3. My screen saver does
not stay on. It will come on after the selected idle time, then go off for
no apparent reason and not re-engage. Any suggestions?

 

[R. McCarty]

Go Off ? , as in the desktop redraws or the monitor goes off ? It may be
that the time intervals for Screen Saver on and Monitor off are set to very
similar timer values.

I would review the Power Options settings. Also the Power Savings on
USB Root Hubs and any NICs in the PCs. It may be a background item
that is waiting for "Idle Time" to run that's terminating the Screen Saver.

Is this a new issue or something that has existed for while ? That info can
help determine what the cause might be.

 

[williamtell]

And/or there is a program or programs checking automaticly for updates!

 

[Jose]

I have Windows XP Home Edition V5.1 - Service Pack 3.  My screen saver does
not stay on.  It will come on after the selected idle time, then go offfor
no apparent reason and not re-engage.  Any suggestions?

Oh, I'll take a shot... do you have a wireless keyboard or wireless
mouse?

If yes and if possible, temporarily replace them one at a time with a
wired device and figure out which is the problem.

If you are using wired devices, just unplug them (one at a time), let
your screen saver kick in and see if it works better.

One at a time is required to see which device is the problem.

Is this computer on a network - wireless or otherwise?

Are you using a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)?

Are you just sitting there and this happens or so you go away for a
while and come back and see the desktop unexpectedly?

Do you have any programs that start up automatically (like virus
scanners, updates, etc.)

Do you have household pets that might be trying to use your computer?
Cats are good at this.

I discovered that my wife's cat (not mine) gets on top of the stove
and invokes the cleaning cycle by walking around on the touch
sensitive keys. It took me a while to figure that one out. I did
discover it is possible to lock the controls, but still have the cat.

Jose

 

[Linda]

Thanks for the info. The desktop redraws and I have taken your advice and
made sure the screen saver and monitor off are set differently. Still
working on your other suggestions.

 

[Linda]

Aha! This may be the problem. I'll check this out. Thanks much.

 

[Linda]

No cats, but great suggestions. My dog is just not into computers, yet.
I'll begin checking the wired and wireless (I have and have had both).
Thanks for your help.

 

[R. McCarty]

One specific item to check is the NIC's power savings settings. Many
NICs now use a "Wake on Traffic" type option that will reset timers for
inactivity. The option is sometimes named "Wake on Link". This option
is usually found in the "Advanced" (TAB) of the Device Manager details
on your NIC.