XP Sreensaver stops working after first use.

[MrLudwig]

This is now starting to really drive me round the bend, but over the last week or so I've noticed all the PC's in one room no longer run the screen saver after it's initial activation.

 

If I boot the PC's, after the time out (10 minutes by default), the screen saver will activate as normal. Disturb the PC (wiggle the mouse or press a key) and it deactivates as normal. However from then on it no longer activates again, and the monitors no longer go into power saving mode either.

 

I've sat and watched them and noticed at the screen saver the time out there is a very slight flicker on the screen as if Windows is trying to activate it, but fails for some reason.

 

I've checked Control Panel Display settings applet and the default Windows screen saver is selected and I can preview it. I've also checked the HKU\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop reg keys and everything seems to be there and set correctly.

 

Anyone got any ideas?

 

Thanks.

Edited June 10, 2009 by MrLudwig

[PEO]

stabin the dark

 

profile issue?

[Michael]

It could be a problem with explorer.exe refreshing possibly.

[burgemaster]

Check for entries here:

 

HKEY_USERS/.DEFUALT/Software/Policies/Windows/Control Panel/Desktop

 

Dont think they should be there, i removed the desktop folder and it sorted our crazy screensaver problem.

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/2r7pk03.jpg

[MrLudwig]

stabin the dark

 

profile issue?

 

It could be a problem with explorer.exe refreshing possibly.

 

 

It happens without anyone having logged on, before explorer or a user profile is ever loaded.

 

 

burgemaster:

I'll have a look at the reg keys you suggest when I'm back in tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

 

 

Thanks very much for the suggestions.

[FN-GM]

unplug the keybaord and mic that will sort it

 

A serious suggestion, tyr changing the screensaver to something else and see what happens

[MrLudwig]

Same thing happens whatever screen saver is used. Also, just to make things more confusing, it all seems to work fine when I'm logged on, it only does it at the login prompt.

 

Oh, and a side effect of trying to solve this problem - I seem to be getting questioning looks from other staff wondering why I'm spending a lot of time sat in an empty classroom at computers, but not actually using them. Not sure if they're buying the explanation that I'm just waiting to see if the screen saver activates properly!

[burgemaster]

Did you look for those extra reg settings mate?

[MrLudwig]

Did you look for those extra reg settings mate?

 

Didn't have any of them, so nothing to delete, but thanks anyway.

 

I'm beginning to think the machines might actually win this one.