How do you prevent screensaver coming on without disabling it or using software?

BurningHorizons · 28 Jul 2006 at 18:50

Hi,

Please help me out!
Is there a way of preventing a screensaver coming on without disabling the screensaver in control panel or installing "mouse mover" type software.

I am able to run a batch file and I could run javascript from Internet Explorer.

As a sys admin for a large company, I must have screensaver enabled on all PCs and I am not allowed to install non-approved software.
One of the PCs is required to display a constant image without user intervention with the mouse.

I can't break the rules, but I can bend them a little!!

Any ideas?

nade · 28 Jul 2006 at 18:53

Use windows scheduler and run a batch file which edits the registry removing the screensaver..... then later in the day (eg 5pm?) run a 2nd script to add the screensaver back in?

That's how i'd do it. Had to do something similar with a new rollout out of HP machines around the offices at my work.

Priapus · 28 Jul 2006 at 18:53

Why can't you just turn it off in Display Properties?

Messiah Khan · 28 Jul 2006 at 18:57

Just tell your Admin that you need to turn the screensaver off, and if you ask nicely enough he might give you access to the display properties.

nade · 28 Jul 2006 at 19:00

OK, i know that from a batch file you can run this

Code:

regedit.exe /s C:\disable_ss.reg

Then have another batch file running a reg file to enable it again. The /s means regedit merges the file silently.

Here's an example of the enable reg file:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"ScreenSaverIsSecure"="0"
"ScreenSaveTimeOut"="300"
"ScreenSaveActive"="1"
"SCRNSAVE.EXE"="C:\\WINDOWS\\System32\\logon.scr"

Then the disable reg file:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"ScreenSaverIsSecure"="0"
"ScreenSaveTimeOut"="300"
"ScreenSaveActive"="0"
"SCRNSAVE.EXE"=""

Hope that helps. Oh and the time of 300 is 300 seconds, 5 mins.

BurningHorizons · 28 Jul 2006 at 19:12

nade said:
OK, i know that from a batch file you can run this

Code:

regedit.exe /s C:\disable_ss.reg

Then have another batch file running a reg file to enable it again. The /s means regedit merges the file silently.

Here's an example of the enable reg file:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop] "ScreenSaverIsSecure"="0" "ScreenSaveTimeOut"="300" "ScreenSaveActive"="1" "SCRNSAVE.EXE"="C:\\WINDOWS\\System32\\logon.scr"

Then the disable reg file:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop] "ScreenSaverIsSecure"="0" "ScreenSaveTimeOut"="300" "ScreenSaveActive"="0" "SCRNSAVE.EXE"=""

Hope that helps. Oh and the time of 300 is 300 seconds, 5 mins.

Many thanks, that might just do it.

I'll get back to you Monday.