Screensaver and Media Center

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Guest

I just got a new Dell XPS. My screen saver will not come on at all. I am
using a flat screen monitor if that helps. Not sure where i should start
troubleshooting. i am not really taking advantage of any of the MC tools. I
generally don't even have it running.

Any ideas out there?
 
Hi,

A screensaver not starting indicates some application or process is
interfering. A screensaver will not run when it thinks the system is being
used actively. Open task manager (ctrl+shift+escape) and examine the
processes tab for possible problems. Killing some of the unnecessary
background tasks will likely resolve the issue. Google the name of any
process you are unfamiliar with to get some idea of what it is for. WinXP
generally will not allow you to kill any system-essential process.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Perhaps it is the Dell computer. I just bought a Dell, a bit less of a
machine than yours, but the screen saver only works with on the one minute
setting. Maybe yours will work on that setting. Also there are a number of
posts concerning screenunsavor on the topic for new XP users.

Good luck!
 
I hope by now you have solved your problem. I just got a new computer
with Windows XP Pro SP-2 and had the same problem, as do many people. I
had been searching the web for solutions and finally came up with two.
For me it had to do with my Microsoft Wireless Desktop set, and more
specifically I think it's primarily the USB connection for the mouse.
Do not connect the the desktop set/mouse to the USB port. Instead, use
the PS/2 connections. I will quote the Getting Started pamphlet for
Microsoft Wireless Desktop Sets:
"1. Shut down and turn off the computer. 2. Plug the purple PS/2
connector into the computer's round PS/2 keyboard port. 3. Plug the USB
connector into the green USB-to-PS/2 adapter, and then plug the adapter
into the computer's round PS/2 mouse port." Bingo! My screensaver
started working. The other solution involves disabling the DVDlauncher.
Here is the link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/911895/en-us. I hope
these answers help you or anyone else. I was totally distraught over no
screensaver functions. I visited so many support forums looking for
answers, I wish I could go back to them all to give them my solutions.
It would take a long time!
 
Your problem is with Media Center and a Microsoft Wireless Desktop. If you
don't have a wireless desktop, this will still work. Do the following:

1. Hit Start, Run, Msconfig.
2. When the System Configuration Utility displays, click the "Startup" tab.
3. Uncheck the first entry, "Ehtray.exe".
4. Apply the change, and restart your computer.
5. Your screensaver will now work.
6. Ehtray is a non-essential optimizer program for the Media Center part of
XP. You won't notice any difference in performance.

Good Luck!!
 
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