My computer's screen saver seems to stop every once in awhile for no
reason. (the timing is completely random). The screensaver will be
running, then it will stop and show the desktop, and then 20 minutes
later it will go back on again. It will happen with any variety of
applications open, or no major applications open at all. The
screensaver is the '3D Text' one that comes with Windows. I'm running
WinXP Pro. I wanted to know if anyone had any ideas as to why this is
happening, and what I could do about it. |
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
03 Dec 2005 16:25 PST
jeff...
It's possibly a glitch in your keyboard or mouse which is sending
an intermittent signal that stops the display. Have you noticed
any glitches while actively using these devices?
sublime1-ga
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Clarification of Question by
jeffmonty-ga
on
03 Dec 2005 17:32 PST
the only think that I could think of is that my mouse (a wireless
optical one) might be sensing movement every once in awhile, but this
happens when I'm away from my desk, when there is no change in light,
or anything that would make the mouse think that it is moving. I
haven't had any noticeable problems with either the mouse or the
keyboard though.
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Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
03 Dec 2005 18:17 PST
Ah! It's a wireless mouse then! This makes me think that
perhaps the receiver is picking up on transient signals
from some other source. I would experiment by unplugging
the receiver from its USB port and see if this prevents
the behavior.
sublime1-ga
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Clarification of Question by
jeffmonty-ga
on
03 Dec 2005 23:01 PST
I'll try your suggestion of unplugging the mouse and I'll let you know
if it solves the problem. Thanks again for responding to my question
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Clarification of Question by
jeffmonty-ga
on
04 Dec 2005 13:22 PST
I've tried unplugging my optical mouse, closing major open programs,
leaving only background processes to run, and the screensaver still
stops. I have a program that changes my wallpaper each day at 12am
and I wouldn't think that that would stop the screensaver as it (the
screensaver) tends to stop at random times, but I've also closed that.
The only programs that I have running though not open (in the
systray) were installed after I realized this issue. (The programs
are Norton Systemworks/Ghost)
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Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
04 Dec 2005 15:16 PST
The only other thing I can suggest is going to the Task Manager,
to the Processes tab, and click on the CPU header to sort the
processes by CPU activity in real time. This will (hopefully)
pinpoint what processes are demonstrating activity which may
be interrupting the screensaver.
Obviously, you can't run the screensaver while you're watching
the Processes window, but you can still note which program
files might be ones you can shut down to test their effect on
the screensaver's continuity.
sublime1-ga
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Clarification of Question by
jeffmonty-ga
on
04 Dec 2005 16:50 PST
When looking at the Processes tab and sorting by CPU usage, the one
with the highest CPU is the 'System Idle Process'. It usually sits in
the upper 90's most of the time. Hope this helps.
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Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
04 Dec 2005 17:17 PST
Oops. I forgot to mention that. No, that's normal.
Look for the processes under that one.
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Clarification of Question by
jeffmonty-ga
on
05 Dec 2005 06:55 PST
I've tried disabling my infrared port (which I never use) and enabling
the power saving mode on my Cisco PCI wireless adapter. I'll let you
know if that helps/works
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