Weird Screen Saver Problem

[Pterocarpous]

First off, that would be "Weird Screen Saver Problem" :rolleyes2

Dell Dimension 4600; XP Pro SP2

This has been a problem w/ the computer since it shipped 3 yrs ago from what I understand. Dell's answer to the problem was to reinstall the OS. So, no help was ever had there. The user has just come to live w/ the issue and turn off the monitor and, at night, turn off the computer.

Here it is:
The screen saver will ONLY come on if it is set to turn on in one minute. It will stay on indefinitely if it's set like this (until the mouse is moved or a key on the keyboard is struck - normal behavior)

IF the screen saver is set to turn on AFTER one minute (e.g. in 2 minutes or above), it never turns on.

At first I thought something was waking the computer up - not allowing it to go into "inactivity" state but that doesn't explain why it works fine if it is set to turn on after just one minute. Remember, if that's the case, it will stay on indefinitely and turn off w/ the normal triggers.

I need to troubleshoot this issue as the user wants to finally resolve it. So, I'm picking brains between now and when I go out there to take a look at it.

Y'all got any ideas?? I'd sure appreciate your feedback.

TIA!! :smiles:

Below is how she describe the problem to me in an email today:

The screen saver comes on only if it is set for 1 minute.
The Monitor Off setting works only if it is set for 1 minute, but it stays off for only about 10 sec.
If you set the screen saver for 1 minute and the Monitor Off for 2, you just get the screen saver.
If you set both the screen saver and the Monitor Off at 1 minute, the following occurs.
The screen saver comes on a little belatedly - at about 1.5 minutes.
Then after another minute or two, the monitor goes off for about 10 seconds and then the screen comes back on with no screen saver.
I tried setting "Turn off the HDD" at 3 minutes and then trying to open Outlook Express after 4 minutes, once with the screen saver set for 1 minute and once for never, and it came up instantly.
But I don't know if that means anything or not.


With the above description, I thought something was waking the system up. I sent her an email stating as much to which she replied...:
I'm not sure that I made it clear about the screen saver.
Once it comes on it stays on until you move the mouse.
But if you set it to come on after a period of anything except one minute, it won't.

[Kentigern]

Is this pc used as a stand alone or part of a group policy

[Pterocarpous]

Is this PC used as a stand alone or part of a group policy
It's a home computer. No other computers 'n such. No network for that matter other than connecting to her broadband router, etc. for I'net access.

[Kentigern]

You could try these two KB articles

KB811329 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811329/en-us)

KB306676 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306676/en-us)

[Pterocarpous]

You could try these two KB articles

KB811329 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811329/en-us)

KB306676 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306676/en-us)
Excellent references, Kentigern! Thank you. I was thinking it was a registry issue, too. I'll try these out and let you know what happens. :smiles:

[mtrox]

I've fixed some weird stuff by starting with a brand new user. Just to diagnose, try making a brand new user on the machine. Do the symptoms persist? If that fixes it, it's something in the user settings. Don't use F.A.S.T. to bring over the settings to the new user. Start over.

Or: go into Task Manager and kill every process over and above the usual basic running gear. I've seen some unexpected stuff that takes over Power Management.

[Pterocarpous]

I've fixed some weird stuff by starting with a brand new user. Just to diagnose, try making a brand new user on the machine. Do the symptoms persist? If that fixes it, it's something in the user settings. Don't use F.A.S.T. to bring over the settings to the new user. Start over.

Or: go into Task Manager and kill every process over and above the usual basic running gear. I've seen some unexpected stuff that takes over Power Management.
True. I've done that too when I couldn't find another way out. It's just such a pain when they have lots of custom configurations, apps, etc. But that's definitely on my list. (creating a new profile) Thanks for the reminder, mtrox. :doh:

Checking the processes is a good idea, too. Problem is its so weird a problem. It does and it doesn't look like somethin's gettin' in the way of it going to sleep - but why only 2 minutes and above?

I've sent her an email based on Kentigern's recommendation to set her Screen Saver to STARFIELD. (I don't know if she had an Open GL screen saver selected but it's worth a shot.)

[Pterocarpous]

Just heard back from her. She already has it set to STARFIELD (and has tried others, as well) screen saver so that rules out the Open GL 3D bug angle....

[Kentigern]

Hi Just found this forum about Dell & Screensaver - looks like a lot of folks have this prob. They have found several work-a-rounds and solves.
Not my area of expertise Happy Reading :)

http://www.computerhaven.info/forum/tm.aspx?m=28478

[Pterocarpous]

Hi Just found this forum about Dell & Screen saver - looks like a lot of folks have this prob. They have found several work-a-rounds and solves.
Not my area of expertise Happy Reading :)

http://www.computerhaven.info/forum/tm.aspx?m=28478

Thank you Kentigern. Nice thread. Nice forum, too. The gist of the thread was to disable Dell's "DSAgent" startup item in MSConfig. DSAgent phones home to Dell and ties in w/ their support utility.

I've sent an email to my client asking her to disable this startup item in MSConfig and see if it mends the problem.

I also found a link to a nifty little MSConfig utility there. I've posted it in THIS (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54294) thread in case anyone might be interested.

Once again, you've really come through Kentigern. Thanks so much for your help. :smiles:

[mtrox]

Ptero,

Take a look at the way I solved something related with Vista over here (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?p=461723#post461723). Don't know if that's part of your deal, but worth a look.

[Pterocarpous]

Ptero,

Take a look at the way I solved something related with Vista over here (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?p=461723#post461723). Don't know if that's part of your deal, but worth a look.
Thanx mtrox
I gave it a go. I'm on the phone w/ here (will be again in a few). No wireless keyboard nor mouse so that's out.

We're tryin' to get that blasted Remote Assistance workin' now. I've got her w/ the router disconnected and NIS disabled (as much as possible w/out nukin' it...)

I'll let y'all know what's what.

BTW, disabling DSAgent didin't do the trick either...:sad2: