Monitor off with CMD line problem

[infofreako]

Hi, I wanted to be able to induce the screensaver on my monitor when I was finished working.

So, I carried out this instruction:

Create a shortcut on desktop and enter the following in the Location box.
POWERCFG -Change -monitor-timeout-ac 1
Name the shortcut whatever you wish. Double clicking the shortcut will cause the monitor to sleep in one minute.
You can create another shortcut when you want to use the system for an extended period.
POWERCFG -Change -monitor-timeout-ac 300
This will set the timeout to a 5 hour delay.

OK, the first part of this instruction worked, BUT, when I tried the second part, it didn't work. So, the monitor off function is stuck at 1 min before immediately switching to screensaver. Obviously, this gets irritating when trying to work sometimes and so I'm trying to reverse the first instruction.

Before you suggest it, I have already tried "POWERCFG -Change -monitor-timeout-ac 0". For some reason it's stuck at 1 min.

 

[rclarke250]

why not just turn the monitor off? seems easier then messing around with commands. I don't understand why anyone would need a screensaver, you want a screensaver, turn OFF the monitor, screen saved.

Anyways, off the soap box, now have you tried deleting the power scheme?

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc748940(WS.10).aspx

 

[stduc]

To answer rclarke250 - because some monitors have their power switches in awkward places. Because some people forget and walk away and its nice to know the screen will blank. Because of security - when the screensaver fires then if the settings are correct the PC is locked.

I have never used that method. I would hazard a guess though that as 300 Mins (5 hours) is the top before never maybe you need to set 299? Bug?

I find this little app performs admirably for my purposes. ScreenSave.exe - available here

http://www.pretentiousname.com/miscsoft/index.html

 

[rclarke250]

Click start,right arrow next to shutdown, it's a lock button. Just saying. You want security, take it into your hands, lock it manually.
Takes like 2 seconds. Use standby, it locks the machine also. Or if you need to use a screensaver, why not just setup the screen saver in the personalization settings, you can set the minutes there, and also click the box for it to prompt for a login.

Didn't mean to imply anything bad about screensavers, my work requires one on my work laptop, and I find it very annoying, mainly because it disrupts my downloads. because the screensaver doesn't see any activity, and can interrupt my download and creating a linux boot thumb drive. So I disable it, and then forget to enable when I'm done, then I get put on a report saying I'm non compliant with the security guidelines, and my manager gets a note about it. Pain in the posterior. So I have a grudge against the things. Just me.

 

[stduc]

The first computer I was admin for had no security. Security was the front door. Company policy. Despite my urgings to the contrary. Happy days - It all ended in tears of course when a salesman was sacked and wiped the system on his way out. Or thought he did. But I've always been a bit paranoid about regular backups too.

You might want to take a look here to solve your problem and stop your manager getting his ear bashed.

http://forums.techarena.in/windows-xp-support/974082.htm

Until security find your mod of course - then you could be in real trouble.

Take care.