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My screensaver will not turn on - despite everything set properly, it sometimes never activates. This is a problem, as I need screensaver password protection if I step away from the computer for an hour or so.

The only thing I can think of is that my mouse or keyboard driver is somehow keeping it active by somehow sending phantom keystrokes to the computer to top the screensaver activating.

I have an external USB Kensington keyboard, an external HP mouse, and my laptop is a Toshiba with Win7.

Is there any way to diagnose and fix this problem, or any utilities that could automatically password protect my computer from unauthorized use if I step away for a few minutes?

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migrated from serverfault.com Dec 9 '10 at 13:31

This question came from our site for system and network administrators.

I think this is a superuser type question –  AliGibbs Dec 9 '10 at 13:31

1 Answer 1

up vote 2 down vote accepted

If you need physical security you should lock your workstation the moment you leave and not five minutes after you left.

So you might just press Windows L to lock the workstation immediately.

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Sure - but sometimes I forget, then the computer is unlocked all weekend. I'd rather have my screensaver working, so at least it won't be unlocked all weekend, available to the cleaners on Sunday, etc. –  Contango Dec 10 '10 at 19:20
@Gravitas you could also just turn it off over the weekend... –  mikeTheLiar Feb 21 '13 at 21:30
@mikeTheLiar: There are times that I may be required to access my work computer from home over the weekend, so turning it off for me is not an option. –  Adrian Apr 4 at 18:31

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