Timed lockout set by Admin in Work Group

[Guest]

In my office, the systems administrator has set our work group to lock out
after 30 minutes of idle time. In doing so, this prevents the individual
user from using display properties. While not a huge deal, it's frustrating
to not be able to change screen resolution, color etc. Is there a way that
the administrator can set the timed lockout for security reasons, but still
allow the individual to have some control over the appearance properties? He
says no. I'm not proficient enough with the xp operating system to say
otherwise, but it seems logical to assume this can be done? Am I suffering
from wishful thinking? It seems to me it's going to be an extraordinary
waste of a tech's time to go around and change resolutions and screen savers
etc on each and every machine when needed or required.
A big thank you from 12 ladies if we get an answer!!

 

[Colin Nash [MVP]]

In my office, the systems administrator has set our work group to lock out
after 30 minutes of idle time. In doing so, this prevents the individual
user from using display properties. While not a huge deal, it's
frustrating
to not be able to change screen resolution, color etc. Is there a way
that
the administrator can set the timed lockout for security reasons, but
still
allow the individual to have some control over the appearance properties?
He
says no. I'm not proficient enough with the xp operating system to say
otherwise, but it seems logical to assume this can be done? Am I
suffering
from wishful thinking? It seems to me it's going to be an extraordinary
waste of a tech's time to go around and change resolutions and screen
savers
etc on each and every machine when needed or required.
A big thank you from 12 ladies if we get an answer!!

Yes, he can block out only the screen saver tab but still allow you to
access the rest of the display properties (for background, resolution etc.)
You won't be able to change your screen saver or set the timeout and this is
a valid security precaution.

Info is here (applies to XP as well)...
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...s/2000/server/reskit/en-us/regentry/93255.asp
(can also be applied through Group Policy if there is a domain set up...
from your post, it sounds like there is not.)

 

[Steven L Umbach]

You can do that with Group Policy. Open local Group Policy with gpedit.msc
in the run box and go to administrative templates/user configuration/control
panel/display. The only settings that need to be enabled are password
protect the screen saver and screen saver timeout. Only a local
administrator can use gpedit.msc however. The other settings should be set
to "undefined" to allow users access to other display properties. Whether
you can convince the administrator to change the settings is another
tter. --- Steve