computer locked screen

[jerryreeve]

We have a couple of XP machines that after a inactive period of time (few minutes to many hours) will go to the "computer locked screen" this is the same screen that we see locally if the user islogged in using remote desktop. this happens somewhat randomly, it is not a screenshot on the screensaver because you have to do CTRL ALT DEL and enter password. also the screen does not appear to have been tampered with. it is in the same configuration as when the screen was left. this also occurs during business hours as well as overnight.

can anaybody give me a suggestion on what might be causing this?

----------------------------
Hill?? What hill??
I didn't see any $%@#(*$ Hill!!
----------------------------
JerryReeve
Communication Systems Int'l
com-sys.com

 

[jdemmi]

There is an option on the screen saver settings for this.


"On resume, display logon screen"

-- Jason
"It's Just Ones and Zeros

 

[gavm99]

I have to agree it sounds like the screen save kicking in.

Gavin Moorhouse

http://www.lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk

Interested in my personal blog?

http://www.thelucidview.co.uk

 

[longhair]

jerryreeve,
right click on the desktop, properties. choose the screen saver tab - is the 'on resume, password protect' radio button clicked?
regards,
longhair

 

[jerryreeve]

unfortunately that is not quite it. if the screensaver kicked in then that is what would be visible until the keyboard/mouse condition changed and then you would get the logon screen in this casee the logon screen is what is displayed not the screensaver. also the on resume password protect box is not checked.

----------------------------
Hill?? What hill??
I didn't see any $%@#(*$ Hill!!
----------------------------
JerryReeve
Communication Systems Int'l
com-sys.com

 

[jdemmi]

I wonder if this is being controlled via a group policy if the checkbox just doesn't display as checked

-- Jason
"It's Just Ones and Zeros

 

[longhair]

jerryreeve,
hibernate or standby?
regards,
longhair

 

[jerryreeve]

ok, I checked the group policies etc. and couldn't find anything that looked suspicious. especially when other users are not seeing the problem and all users are identical as far as groups go.

the randomness of that is happening seems to point away from a switch or setting since similar timeouts etc happen that do not invoke this problem of the computer locked windoow.

A side note is that outlook and our windows server got upgraded to 2003 versions about 3 months ago.

----------------------------
Hill?? What hill??
I didn't see any $%@#(*$ Hill!!
----------------------------
JerryReeve
Communication Systems Int'l
com-sys.com

 

[longhair]

jerryreeve,
you checked start, settings, control panel, power options?
look at the advanced tab. is 'prompt for password when computer resumes from standby' checked?
regards,
longhair

 

[jdemmi]

could these desktops be accessed remotely via remote desktop? if so, this might be it -- when a remote desktop session is active i think the local desktop is locked.

-- Jason
"It's Just Ones and Zeros

 

[cmeagan656]

Is there a group policy being applied that kicks in after x number of minutes of inactive time? Note, if Windows Media Player (and possibly other applications) is running then the computer doesn't register as inactive. That may account for the difference between a few minutes and a few hours.

Cheers.