Screensaver won't come on

[Joel]

Windows XP sp2. Brand new laptop (hp/compaq nc6400) and I can't get the
screensaver to come on. It shows correctly in the registry and it will do a
"preview" but it won't come on after the specified time has elapsed. Any
ideas? Thanks!

 

[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

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 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

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Joel]

Hi Wes,

I got excited to see your response, but unfortunately I don't have that
process running, I don't have an optical mouse, and I'm running xp pro, not
media center. And I still can't figure out how to get the screensaver to
come on! Any other ideas? Thanks, Joel

 

[Joel]

Ok, I've just figured it out. It has nothing to do with software or
settings or processes. I only came across the solution by staring
dumbfoundedly at my laptop screen.

And guess what I saw? I saw the mouse cursor move! Ever so slightly, but
it moved, and a little while later, it moved again! Woa! Anyway, it looks
like the mouse "stick" or whatever you call it was stuck or something. I've
disabled it and the screensaver comes on now.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Glad you figured it out. I never, ever would have from where I am sitting.
;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In