Preventing Windows screensaver from starting

[sgtspector]

I work in a retail environment and the pos system is running a xp pc's. The it department has set up the pc's to start the screensaver after a really short period of time (i think about 5 mins). Is there a way to prevent it from starting without altering anything? Like running a certain program or something like that? I seem to remember in a previous version of windows there was a place on the desktop you could leave the mouse (the corners I think) and the ss wouldn't start. Every request I have made to adjust it has fallen on deaf ears.

[Anomo]

I'm not sure about the special spot for the mouse, but here is another discussion on pcriview.co.uk. They were talking about a script that would press numlock every 5 minutes to prevent SS. Heres the important part;

Originally Posted by pcriview.co.uk I wrote and compiled an AutoHotkey script that does > this. I turn it on and off when I need it. I suppose it could be done > in Autoit too. It presses the numlock key twice every five minutes. > > Loop: > Send, {NUMLOCK 2} > sleep, 300000 > goto, loop > > That easy.

I have not tested it myself as I don't need it, but just looking through the code it seems harmless and in theory it should work fine. I do NOT take credit for the script and I am simply passing it on to you.

(Source)

[Dan Penny]

If the "retail environment" Management allows it, the screen saver controls will be available to you.

R-Click on an empty area of the Desktop and choose Properties. In the Display Properties, are the Screen Saver controls.

[Anomo]

Originally Posted by Dan Penny If the "retail environment" Management allows it, the screen saver controls will be available to you. R-Click on an empty area of the Desktop and choose Properties. In the Display Properties, are the Screen Saver controls.

Theres your answer.

Originally Posted by sgtspector Is there a way to prevent it from starting without altering anything?

[sgtspector]

I already know how to change screen saver settings. The problem is the settings are all disabled, There is no access to the control panel either. As I said in my post I was looking for a way to do it without accessing the settings. The script on the other hand may do the trick if I can execute it. Thanks

[David M]

Funny how we still have the screen saver option in this era of LCD's. Remember when you actually could burn an image into a screen?

I'm waiting for Microsoft to put a single OFF button at the bottom left side of the screen. I wonder how long it takes them to figure it out? I gotta hand it to them reducing the steps from three to two with Win7.

[Anomo]

Haha, lots of minibanks in Norway still use the old screens. You can see the burned image and everything is halfway double xD I'm just happy not all of them are like that.