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Marci Dahms
2 discussion posts
I'm using DisplayFusion Pro v3.3.1 with my Windows 7 laptop and 2 external monitors. I have tried several different screensaver options/settings but it never activates. 'Start Screen Saver' works sometimes but not always. Could programs running in the background cause the screensaver not to start? I am leaving my laptop on all night as I'm backing up data to a remote location but I hate that my screensaver isn't working. Any suggestions?
Sep 27, 2011  • #1
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Usually when the screen saver doesn't activate, there's some program running in the background preventing the system from going into the idle state.

I've seen it happen before with Logitech keyboard software, Microsoft Wireless mouse software, and a couple of other programs as well.

The best way to narrow it down is to use msconfig to disable programs from starting with Windows a few at a time until it starts working, then narrow it down from there.

Please let me know if you need more info on how to do this.

Thanks!
Sep 27, 2011  • #2
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deanis
256 discussion posts
I'm encountering this same issue, too. When I try to Preview the screensaver from the DF Settings, it goes directly to the lock screen, without displaying any screensaver.

Before previewing I am always prompted with:

---------------------------
DisplayFusion Pro
---------------------------
You must save your Screen Saver settings first.

Would you like to do this now?
---------------------------
Yes No
---------------------------

Even though I haven't made any changes.

I'm using the standard Ribbons screensaver, so nothing complicated there.
Sep 29, 2011 (modified Sep 29, 2011)  • #3
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
@deanis: Could you post a screenshot of the DF Screen Saver settings?
Sep 29, 2011  • #4
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deanis
256 discussion posts
Quote:
@deanis: Could you post a screenshot of the DF Screen Saver settings?
• Attachment: ssaver.png [56,765 bytes]
ssaver.png
ssaver.png
Sep 29, 2011  • #5
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
The prompt before preview is on our list of things to fix up :)

As for the Screen Saver not starting, my settings are exactly the same as yours, and all seems well. I'm assuming you're on 3.4.0 Beta 20, but if not, could you give it a try.

Could you also try disabling the password lock option to see if that makes any difference?
Sep 29, 2011  • #6
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deanis
256 discussion posts
Yep, I just downloaded B20 this morning and have the same problem. I've had the problem for a while now, but just remembered someone else relating this to DF.

Disabling the password option makes no difference. However, I don't think that option is working. If I uncheck it and click apply, it gets re-checked.

I've tried all the screensavers, even "Blank", and all exhibit this behavior.

Also interesting, but not sure if it's related, is that when I come back to the settings dialog it sometimes has the attached message in the preview space.
• Attachment: message.png [7,188 bytes]
message.png
message.png
Sep 29, 2011 (modified Sep 29, 2011)  • #7
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Interesting! I'd say it's most likely related :)

Are you running Vista or Windows 7? Is Windows Aero Glass enabled? Seems like there could possibly be a video card driver issue.
Sep 29, 2011  • #8
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deanis
256 discussion posts
Win7 64-bit with Aero Glass
Sep 29, 2011  • #9
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Do the screensavers work if you disable the DisplayFusion Screen Saver feature and configure them via Windows?
Sep 29, 2011  • #10
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deanis
256 discussion posts
Quote:
Do the screensavers work if you disable the DisplayFusion Screen Saver feature and configure them via Windows?


Hrm. "One or more of the settings on this page has been disabled by the system administrator."

I'm going to talk to my IT department.
Sep 29, 2011  • #11
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deanis
256 discussion posts
This seems to have fixed it. Darned policies.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555506
Sep 29, 2011  • #12
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Cool stuff! Just note that if they're pushing out the policy from the domain, it will likely revert back at some point. Not much you can do in that case :)
Sep 29, 2011  • #13
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deanis
256 discussion posts
Quote:
Disabling the password option makes no difference. However, I don't think that option is working. If I uncheck it and click apply, it gets re-checked.


This was also a problem with the registry entries here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555506

Removing the ScrnSaveIsSecure entry gets rid of this behavior.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc959646.aspx

Sounds like DF doesn't look for ScreenSaver policies... yet.
Sep 29, 2011  • #14
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Yeah it doesn't handle group policies yet but we're planning to roll some custom group policy support into 3.4.1, so it should work much better in corporate environments :)
Sep 29, 2011  • #15
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deanis
256 discussion posts
Quote:
Cool stuff! Just note that if they're pushing out the policy from the domain, it will likely revert back at some point. Not much you can do in that case :)


Yeah, I'm trying to think of a way to automatically delete those registry entries on a timer. I might be able to do it with RegEdt32 and the scheduler.

Sorry for the distraction with this one.
Sep 29, 2011  • #16
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
No worries, just be aware that neither I, nor the software can help you circumvent your IT departments policies :)
Sep 29, 2011  • #17
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Cerb UK
3 discussion posts
Quote:
Yeah it doesn't handle group policies yet but we're planning to roll some custom group policy support into 3.4.1, so it should work much better in corporate environments :)


I have installed 3.4.1 but the lock screen does not work either via a group policy or activating it via DF in the screen saver settings. Is this feature "custom group policy support" available when will this be fixed?
Feb 9, 2012  • #18
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
@Cerb: is the screen saver not activating at all? Or is it just not locking the desktop when the screen saver activates?
Feb 10, 2012  • #19
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Cerb UK
3 discussion posts
The screen does not lock after 30mins, the screen saver is set to blank.
Feb 13, 2012  • #20
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Ok, it's possible that there's something else running in the background on your system that's causing the screen saver not to start. To test, you can try exiting DisplayFusion, and then setting the screen saver using the Windows settings and see if it comes on after the idle period.

If it doesn't, the best thing to do would be to use msconfig to disable everything from startup, and then start enabling programs a few at a time, restarting in between, until it breaks to see which might be causing it to not come on.
Feb 13, 2012  • #21
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Cerb UK
3 discussion posts
When display fusion was turned off it works correctly. Once this cycle had completed and I startd display fusion again and activaed the screen saver it then worked it both modes.

Thanks
Mar 16, 2012  • #22
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Strange! Thanks for following up, I'll keep that in mind in case anyone runs into similar issues.
Mar 16, 2012  • #23
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