XP Screensaver

[DLAGhost]

Hey out there. Does anyone know how to activate screensaver in xp from desktop. I have it password protected, and want to turn it on when I leave desk. I can go into Display Properties and change the time delay down to 1 minute but there must be a better way. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Andrew]

I do not use a screensaver, ever. I have mine turned off. When I leave the computer on and leave the room knowing I'm not going to be back in a while I just shut the moniter off.(or by defualt it goes off itself in 15 minutes or so which I'm sure you can change)

Also if you worried about not wanting someone to get access to your computer while away, you could just go to: log off-->switch users--> then you are required to put password in again.

But I see why you would use a screensaver password thingy if you unexpectantly need to leave computer(not knowing your away for a bit).

Also hibernation does similiar thing asking for password. So jus press the hibernation button whenever you leave computer.

Just suggestions :)

[DLAGhost]

It is the access that I am worried about; if I step away from my computer whether I have it at the office or especially when I am at home with the kids I want it locked out immediately. LOL the kids once screwed up my bios, never forgot a password there again. BTW thanks for the hibernation idea, didnt even occur :-[

[Atomic Mitten]

You have to do two things, first enter the display window then click on screensaver then power then advanced, select advanced again put a check in the box prompt for password when computer resumes from standby.

Exit this window and then go to screensaver tab again,

Then power schemes tab, then set turn off monitor after 15 minutes or less.

Then the next time the comp is idle and the monitor powers down, whoever clicks on the mouse must enter a password to re-activate the desktop.

[DLAGhost]

Thanks Atomic

That part I did get set up, my problem is to be able to turn it on immediately whenever I leave my computer.

Andrew reminded me of the suspend/hibernate function that I had completely forgotton about in my search.

[Atomic Mitten]

Control panel/power management enable hibernate.

[gryphon]

If you use WinXp and want to lock your computer every time you go away the screen saver is not the way to do so. Simple press controle-alt-delete and lock your computer. That way no one [ except an admin ] will be able to log you out. The screen saver can be crashed giving you desktop access.

[ no not only Mac OSX has the carracter buffer overflow for it ;) ]

A screensaver is just a normal EXE file. . just with another extension. And as such you can run it in the same manner. Linux for instance has a lock screen button by default. [ or the RedHat distro's have anyway ]. And as I presume your computer doesn't know when you are behind your pc or are not behind it. [ I presume anyway ] .. think you want sort of the same button Linux has. . to lock your desktop. . or run your screensaver with just the click of a single button ?

Now you know a screensaver file is just a normal EXE file. . . think you get the idea .. just create a shortcut on your desktop for it. There are a few arguments you can use . . .

/s or no arguments at all: Screensaver mode, run the screensaver itself

/c: Configuration mode, display configuration window (most screensaver have a configuration form where you can change settings like speed, color or whatever)

/p: Preview mode, run screensaver in the little Display Settings window (you know what I mean don't you? When you set a screensaver you see a little monitor and in that monitor you sometimes already see a preview of the screensaver).

[Nyarlathotep]

Or just press the windows key + L (make sure your username has a password though) ;)