Screen saver

Hi All
I just got a notebook for my wife to use (HP Pavilion.)

I can't get the screen saver to come on...She thinks she needs it

The notebook will always be pluged in, so I set all the power options to "never" (standby, turn off monitor ect.)

I must be missing a setting somewhere to get the screen saver to start up, I have tried different times, 1 min. 5 min, 8 min.
Don't know what I'm missing??

Thanks
Geri

 

what screensaver?

try 'blank' and see if that works.

may also wanna create a new user account, logon and test w/ nothing running. eg - u may have something running under her profile that causes win to think that it's busy therefore never allowing the SS to start.

 

Lets start here with some suggestions before doing anything fancy:

• If your web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer or Netscape) is open to a page that has a changing image (a banner ad or a webcam image, for example), Windows will believe that it is not idle. If Windows believes it is not idle, it will not start a screensaver. Try closing the web browser or minimizing it.
  
  
• This can occur if Microsoft Outlook Express or Microsoft Outlook Internet Mail Only installation is configured to automatically check for new messages in a period of time that is shorter than the period of time that the screensaver is configured to start. For example, this behavior can occur if Outlook Express or Outlook is configured to automatically check for new messages after 5 minutes, and the screensaver is configured to start after 10 minutes. To work around this issue, configure the screensaver to start in a period of time that is shorter than the period of time that Outlook Express or Outlook is configured to automatically check for new messages.
  
  
• System screensaver may not work correctly with McAfee's Anti-Virus program installed. It may not come on at all.....or immediately shut off. This problem will only occur with McAfee's Anti-Virus Program installed. Follow these steps to fix the problem. Go to Start---Settings---Control Panel---Display. Under Display Properties there's a tab called ScreenScan. Uncheck the ScreenScan box.
  
  
• If you click on the Start button and open the Start Menu, the screensaver can't start while the Start Menu is open.
  If you regularly run DOS programs in Windows, check the Properties menu of those programs. There is a box on the Misc tab that, if checked, won't allow screensavers to start while the DOS program is running.
  
  
• If you are running a DOS program full-screen, the screensaver may not start.
  
  
• When the screensaver is about to start, Windows asks the application currently in the foreground if it is happy to let the screensaver start. If the application wishes, the screensaver will not start. Check the documentation of the programs that are running to see if they will not allow the screensaver to start. If the documentation does not discuss the issue, test by letting various programs or just the desktop stay on the screen.
  
  
• Let's use MS-MVP Kelly Theriot's little utility to make sure the registry entries for the ScreenSaver are correct:
  Screen Saver Disable and Screen Saver Enable (Line 51)
  http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
  
  
• Try using a different (non 3-D) screensaver selection
  

 

Hi
OK, Most of this did not apply, no internet and as of now no AV.
She just uses it to edit and print picture from our digital camera.

This how ever did apply....u may have something running, that causes win to think that it's busy. Thanks skeet6961

So here is what is causing it, Her notebook wireless mouse is the problem, if I unplug the receiver the screen saver will start up.
So I updated the software...did not help. I look in the trouble shooting web page...nothing mentioned about screen saver problems.

She does not want to unplug and plug in the receiver all the time, so if you have any clues on what could be done other then unplugging it please let me know.

Here is the mouse she has...
Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 4000

Thanks
Geri

 

Hi Geri,

If your wife likes screensavers, give this a try ...

Download and install the free Slideshow screensaver.

Select it on the Display Properties > Screen Saver tab, then click the "Settings" button. The Wake on mouse movement option is unchecked by default ... leave it that way. FWIW, that's an option the author added at my request.

After browsing to, and selecting, one of your own image folders, click "Enable/Disable effects" (transitions between images ... personally, I don't care for #37 through #40, so I don't select them.)

When you're satisfied, click "Done ", then "OK ", which returns you to the Display Properties > Screen Saver tab.

Check out your new screensaver with the "Preview" button. Moving the mouse should not cancel the screensaver, but clicking a mouse button or tapping a key should.

Before closing Display Properties, be sure to select your desired time delay.​

I've used the program for almost ten years, since Win95, and it's just gotten better with age. I've used it at receptions and meetings for hands-off display of pictures taken only moments before. Note, though, that it will display only .bmp or .jpg images.

HTH.

 

"My Pictures Slideshow" is a native XP screen saver.
No download required.

 

True, but ...

it doesn't have nearly as many options as Slideshow. For instance, transitions aren't selectable.

it doesn't address Geri's situation, as it always cancels on mouse movement ... Slideshow may be the answer.​

 

I do not know about the number of customized transitions. The original poster did not ask for any at all.

The issue is not mouse clicks or mouse movements. The issue is the usb wireless transceiver. It is being polled by XP, and this is interpreted by this custom screensaver as activity. The screensaver is not interrupted. The screensaver never comes on.

Mouse movements are not the issue. The polling of the wireless transceiver is the issue. I fail to see you address the the concern of the original poster who does not want another screensaver. They want they one they have to work without unplugging the USB transceiver. Suggesting another screensaver is not addressing Geri's situation as you so accused me in of doing in my two posts in this thread.

 

No need to get testy, Bill, but have it your way. And, BTW, I accused you of nothing.

I'm outa here.

 

Hi All
I heard back from Microsoft and this ended up being the problem.

Ehtray.exe
Process File: ehtray or ehtray.exe
Process Name: Microsoft Media Center Tray Icon
Description:
ehtray.exe is a process, 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 it is down to user preference.

I stopped it from starting at bootup through "msconfig startup" and the screen saver now starts.
My wife is happy now .

Jim
Thanks for the site, my wife is also a big fan of Princess Diana so I will show her that.

Thanks Bill, and everyone for your help.
Geri

 

Interesting.

Thank you for the report.