WinXP Automtically gets Locked due to Group Policy 1

[netadmin06]

Hello to all,

There is a group policy in my Domain that automatically locks up the computer after 10 minutes of inactivity. This is annoying because some time I give presentations or watch videos for more than 10 minutes and I do no want to be constantly hitting the keyboard or moving the mouse....is there a way to use maybe a blackberry, a headset or something that my computer will see that there is activity and wont lock up after 10 minutes?

Thanks!

 

[gbaughma]

Not really. There was a little program I remember hearing about that simulates a mouse movement every few seconds, but that would get annoying as well.

Talk to your domain admin about the policy. If they're that thorough, they've probably disabled the ability to install your own software as well.

Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[netadmin06]

I have local admin right to my computer and i was able to install software before so i know that shouldn't be a problem....the lockup thing gets annoying, admin said it had to be like that because of the Enron scandal..

 

[netadmin06]

do you remember the name of the program that simulated mouse/keyboard movements

 

[IllogicallyLogical]

You could use Caffeine to accomplish what you are looking for. It will simulate a left shift key up event every 59 seconds to prevent your computer from being inactive. You can download the program from either of the links below.

- Caffeine

http://www.zhornsoftware.co.uk/caffeine/index.html

- Caffeine 1.1

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/Miscellaneous/Caffeine.shtml

Joey
CCNA, MCP, A+, Network+, Wireless#

 

[netadmin06]

Thanks!...that is great!!

 

[c1utch]

I've got the same setup here where the PC's lock after ~10mins of inactivity. On a conference room PC where employees do long presentations, I installed TweakUI (by Micro$oft) and set the screen saver to lock after 99999mins and it seems to work.

I think what's happening is when the PC boots up, it loads the GP from the Domain Controller first. Then as Windows starts up, TweakUI overrides the ~10min. time limit for the workstation's screen saver to kick on...which as you know locks the workstation.

Now, with that being said, there is a setting in Group Policies that makes the workstation refresh it's Domain GP every so many minutes. I haven't noticed this "trumping" TweakUI yet, but it's a safe and easily reversible solution if it doesn't work.

Chris

 

[Rick998]

Another freeware utility which may be helpful is "Screen-Saver Suspender" from

http://www.12noon.com/.

Hope this helps...

 

[netadmin06]

Thanks the utility helps however using utilities as such defeats the purpose of having the security configured to lock after 10 minutes...I am looking into proximity sensors, I think there is a USB device that you can have in your keychain or anywhere on your body that will send a signal to the computer letting it know that "you are around" therefore sensing activity and not locking up. That seems like a solution that will not defeat the security. Look at link below, the only question is that if you are in proximity within your pc will the computer lockup due to inactivity or will it not lock up because of the the sensor proximity:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5693