Resolved XP - screensaver shortcut on desktop or hotkey

How do I get a shortcut to screensaver in XP ?

I tried make a shortcut in my desktop to my screensaver (3Dflowerbox) by going windows/system32/ssflwbox.scr but the shortcut opens in a notepad.

I did all as per this ms site
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/tips/liu1.mspx

But still the shortcut or even actual .scr opens only in a notepad.

How do I change file associations for .scr files ? At present, they are all in notepad format.

 

Try the following.

Add a Windows XP “Hot Key Shortcut” to your favorite screen saver on your desktop!

 

Thank you whiskeyman. I had already done as per your link (which says the same thing as the windows link I posted here). But the .scr file and its shortcut itself open strangely in notepad.

Is there anyway to change the file type of .scr files ?

 

Is this a screensaver that you downloaded? If so, try right clicking on the folder, click Send to Desktop(create shortcut).

 

.scr files are basically exe files, I'm suspecting malware here.

Do other screansavers work ok?

What do you see in notepad when the file opens, it should be a pile of junk but the key is the first two characters "MZ ", if that's the case then it's possibly just a corrupt entry in the registry, easily fixed but I'd prefer to rule out malware first. What virus scanner do you use / when did you last run a full scan / and how often do you update?

 

I just went into my own C:/Windows just as you did and found ssflwbox.scr. Did the right click and sent a shortcut to the desktop for it. Then went to desktop,clicked on icon and flowerbox came up( for about 3 seconds) then went back to the desktop.

 

@Fasttracker
The screen-saver I use is the normal MS inspired 3D flowerbox, which works fine when I use the standard, complicated MS way of doing things (right click desktop, properties, screensaver).

@wildfire
Yes, I was also surprised to see these screensaver files as classified as autocad script. I use kaspersky internet security , windows defender, spybot's search & destroy, spyware blaster, Ccleaner and advanced system care, which I update everyday and run at least thrice a week. Found no virus/malware/adware/spyware issues.

I had downloaded hotcorner and startscreensaver programs from the net some time back. These programs are for instant starting of the ss. While I don't use hotcorner anymore, I am still using startscreensaver. Could these programs be converting the normal ss files from exe to acad script ? I tried to remove these programs (to see if they are causing this problem) but I am unable to find them from the control panel/add remove programs route.

How do I uninstall these programs which I don't see in the control panel ?

 

Autocad Script

No need to worry about Malware then

Do you use Autocad much or would you be happy setting scr extensions back to screensavers?

 

If they show up in Start, All Programs, check to see if they have a provision for uninstalling themselves.

 

@Fasttracker
No, these programs don't show up start/all programs either. I tried what you did and got a notepad script. I even changed the file type to exe and got a settings mini window for that ss.

@wildfire
I use autocad but not that often. I would be happy to reset these screensaver to their original types. How do I that ?

And thank you both for helping me out here.

 

Sorry,

To Amkeew and FastTracker, I should have clarified my post

Neither hotcorner nor startscreensaver are the issue here and there's no need to remove unless you want to.

Autocad is the problem but even then there's no need to uninstall. It's easily fixed but you (Amkeew) have to decide what is more convenient Autocad scripts or screen savers?

You can use AC Scripts with a different extension (ie not SCR) but that may cause other problems.

 

wildfire

I prefer to go back to the original MS file types for these screensaver files.

And also I would like to uninstall the hotcorner and startscreensaver programs also.

How do I do both ?

 

Do these programs show on your C drive in the Programs folder. You may have to Start, Search and see if the puppy dog can track them down. Then hunt them down with Extreme Prejudice. I'm talking No Survivors.

 

As far as uninstalling hotcorner and startscreensaver I'll have to look into it.

Regarding restoring default file types (thanks to noahdfear)

Download DAFT and save it to your Desktop.

Double-click the daft.exe icon. Read the disclaimer and click okay then
Click on the Scan button and check the boxes next to whatever filetypes you need repaired, then click Fix.

 

Thank you wildfire. That DAFT worked like a charm. The ss files were still shown as .scr but I was able to create a ss shortcut on the desktop and voilà, I got the ss.

But one more question..(sorry). The ss is not asking for a password when I resume though I had checked the password option in the display settings. Any ideas ?

 

None spring to mind, when you start the screensaver directly all you're doing is starting a program. I'm assuming it's the OS that handles the security side therefor if the OS doesn't start (or is fooled to start) the screensaver then no password will be requested on exit.

Others may have more valid information/feedback though.

 

@wildfire

Thanks for your time and tips.

Your pointer to DAFT was quite useful already and I given you some mojo to your reputation.

 

You can use a batch file to do this. Found this on another website. Copy and paste the lines below into notepad and save it as screensaver.cmd . You can name it whatever you want of course but it must have a cmd extention. Also, you'll have to adjust the path accordingly if you want to use a screensaver with a different name and/or is located in a different folder.

Code:

 "C:\WINDOWS\system32\3D Windows XP.scr" /s

%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

This will launch the screensaver. When you move your mouse to turn it off, you'll see your desktop for a split second, then it will go to the usual password screen.