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screen saver problem with win 98se

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by stubolton, 2004/12/26.

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  1. 2004/12/26
    stubolton

    stubolton Inactive Thread Starter

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    My screen saver never comes up automatically after I apply say a 3min time lapse.Each time I log off the computer I have to manually do the following....right click on screen, left click on properties,then click on screen saver to apply and ok this time setting everytime or else it won't go to saver on its own after 3 min.No programs are running and even if any were then why does my saver work after I apply it each time.
     
    Last edited: 2004/12/26
    stubolton,
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  2. 2004/12/26
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Any Power Management tricks, including running a screensaver are not recommended with Windows 98. They may lock up your computer, or cause some other problems.
    In general, Power Management features are faulty up to Windows ME. Forget about it.
    Screen savers made sense, when monitors were prone to burn out issuses. That issue has been not valid for a long time with newer monitors, so watch some TV, if you want to see nice pictures, and leave a screensaver alone.
     
    broni,
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  4. 2004/12/27
    merlin

    merlin Inactive

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    Yes, maybe Screensavers are outmoded, but if you, like me, want to see your picture collection and listen to your music now and again, why not ?
    Look for (free) GPhotoshow and install.
    regards
     
    merlin,
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  5. 2004/12/27
    goddez1

    goddez1 Inactive

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    Use caution and appropriate steps when ever you are in the registry. Make sure you are aware of how to either backup and restore the full registry or how to export and import (merge) individual hkeys before and after editing, if you choose to do so!

    Check your registry for these entries in the following hkey:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

    These are the string names and values you should find in the right pane list: (there will be a whole list of right paned keys but it is the screensaver ones we are interested with. All others should be ignored and left alone!)

    SCRNSAVE.EXE. This must contain the directory path and name of the screensaver file. Example of the value for this key:
    "SCRNSAVE.EXE" value would be "C:\\WINDOWS\\System32\\ssstars.scr "

    ScreenSaverActive value must be set to 1 which is "on ".

    Do you have these keys and values? (of course ssstars.scr would not be the exact value name/path unless you were using the stars screensaver. Yours will vary accordingly).

    Depending upon the screensaver used, there may also be one or two more screensaver named string values which may reflect such things as the timing settings for your screensaver. (the interval of idle time before the screensaver plays).

    SideNote:You do not want duplicates of these keys and values.
    --------

    Make sure you are logging into windows on an account that has allowed you save and change desktop settings and have not by passed login by using the escape key. It's also been a while but isn't there also a folder option via the view tab that concerns either allowing changes or restoring the desktop after a login? Darn it! I just can't remember but you may also want to check out any settings you have checked or unchecked here.

    Make sure you have not used msconfig to stop needed startups such as the 2 power profile thingys or the one involving scan*** (what ever the darn command line is)

    grrrr.....

    Please, fellow members still using or having access to win98, can you help me out here by filling in the holes in the above msconfig reference I made, while I get another cup of (obviously much needed) coffee in me.

    Got 'em:
    rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,loadcurrentpwrscheme
    Microsoft Corporation Loads Power Management. Two entries are nesessary, because the first (RunServices) works before user logon. You may suspend of running powrprof.dll if you don't want to use power management.

    scanregw.exe
    Registry Checker for Windows 98/ME. Microsoft Corporation This checks your registry for errors and either repairs it or restores a backup copy. It also creates a new backup registry on the first successful startup each day and maintains a library of the five most recent registry backups. An indispensable safety and survival tool.

    ---------

    On a personal note, I find screensavers to be a big pain in the behind. They tend to crop or run at the most inopportune moments such as when I'm reading online or downloading or scanreg/defragging etc etc. If I must have a screensaver I will make a shortcut to the *.scr to the desktop and start this puppy up when I want it to play. As said this my personal preference, you want yours to set to auto so we'll see if we can figure this out... :)
     
    Last edited: 2004/12/27
    goddez1,
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  6. 2004/12/27
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Merlin
    I do this too, but in Windows 98, I set them up as constantly changing wallpaper, not a screensaver. In Windows 98, a screensaver will get your computer stuck sooner, or later...
     
    broni,
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  7. 2004/12/27
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    I have never found that to be true. I have a utility called ScreenSaver Switch. I use it ( and have in 95 up to and including XP Pro. I can turn SS off or on and control timing and even which one is used.

    Please tell me when, where and how.

    I found that to be true only BEFORE I started using ScreenSaver Switch. Which BTW loads a boot up.

    Now. B4 I forget. I may well not get back here to protect myself before Late Wednesday or Thursday. We have a busy day tomorrow and will be traveling Wednesday.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  8. 2004/12/27
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Power Management up to Windows ME is faulty....Any internet search will tell you that....Disabling it, solved many mystery problems for people, I was dealing with...
    That's from my experience, and I won't blah-blahing anymore about it.
     
    broni,
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  9. 2004/12/27
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    I think we need to clear up something.

    Power Management and Sreensaver are two different things I believe.

    I never used Power Management anyway. Even in XP.

    However I do have to amend my thoughts about ScreenSaver,

    I did have problems with then at one time in 98SE. But it was the Good Old Fashioned conflict of Intrests that was the problem.

    Again I say ( repeat ) It is VERY OFTEN the COMBINATION of things that cause problems.

    So. I do not think it is at all fair to put that all blame ( some though ) on the OS or the SS. The USER fits ( BIB TIME )in there too.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  10. 2004/12/27
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    I do apologize for not being clear.
    You are surely right. There are two different things.
    What I was trying to say was this.
    Whenever you try to use some "sleep" features in Windows 95-ME, it may call for some problems (mostly, your computer getting freezed). It includes Power Management settings, as well, as a screensaver.
     
    broni,
    #9
  11. 2004/12/28
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    I've set my Power Management to "always on ",
    Turned off "view desktop as webpage ".
    Set screensaver as "blank ".
    Do not use "stand-by ".

    After a lot of problems, I set these a few years ago, no problems since :)

    Matt
     
    mattman,
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  12. 2004/12/28
    goddez1

    goddez1 Inactive

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    Ditto,
    Settings same as Matt, even on XP (I don't use hibernate either). Let us not forget as BillyBob stated, problems are user/computer specific (based on a lot of varibles) and there is no "one size fits all" situation/solution here. Many of us who prefer not to use such have learned to do so based on past experiences and needs. This is one of those things that the individual must use for themselves before forming a preference. While I have had no problems using sleep/hibernate Power Management or screensavers beyond having these things kick in when I didn't want them to. I have had no practical need for them either. Many others do and have no problem doing so. Problem free ACPI/APM may be good from the get-go or take updates, patchs and fussy software/hardware juggleling but can generally be smoothed out on all but the oldest crankier computers or the newer usb goodies. The users who should not use such will find out soon enough and adjust acccordingly. Power Management must be taken on a "case by case" basis.
     
    goddez1,
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  13. 2004/12/28
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    You are so right.

    Some SS require Directx. Some require 3D graphics.

    All take proper Video drivers.
    ALL must be OS compatable

    I have had to drop a few older ones as they would not work in a newer OS with newer video drivers.

    But at the same time I have some that go WAY back to the days of Win95.

    I do not believe that ScreenSavers are any different than any other program. Adjustments may need to be made to allow them to work properly. And just like other programs there are some that just will not work properly on some machines but are just fine on others.

    I myself am just waiting to get home. Get XP Plus installed and get those fancy new 3D SS working. It will be a day or three but I sure will let you folks know how I make out.

    Gotta get things ready for the trip home. :):) I was supposed to br doing that already :):)

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  14. 2004/12/29
    goddez1

    goddez1 Inactive

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    Hi stubolton,
    It' been quite a few days since you posted this. How ya' coming along on the problem? Any progress?
     
    goddez1,
    #13
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