Can't change screensaver

  • Thread starter Thread starter CJ
  • Start date Start date
C

CJ

Hi there, I've got a user on WinXP who suddenly can't
change his screensavers - the drop down list is greyed
out. I've never run into this before and nothing came up
on a KB search.

It started just a few days ago when he went into the
Display settings, screensaver tab, and suddenly an error
message came up about "not having privileges to perform
this action" (he did not get the exact wording, and the
message did not come up again.) He is in the local
administrators group, so that is not the problem. It is
not a group policy either, because the rest of us are
still able to select screensavers.

Shut down and restart several times has no effect either.

Thanks in advance!

CJ
 
Hi,

If he is running PRO, type gpedit.msc at Start/Run and navigate to User configuration>administrative
templates>control panel>display and in the right hand pane, double click the 'Screensaver executable
name' policy and select 'disabled' or 'not configured'.

If he is running home, automated edit for the same:

Screensaver disable/enable (line 51, left column)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

--

Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org

Folder customizations
http://newdelhi.sancharnet.in/minku

Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
Yes, it's XP Pro, forgot to mention.

Thanks for the info!
CJ
-----Original Message-----
Hi,

If he is running PRO, type gpedit.msc at Start/Run and
Click to expand...
navigate to User configuration>administrative
templates>control panel>display and in the right hand
Click to expand...
pane, double click the 'Screensaver executable
 
Hi again, just wanted to say that this solution worked.

Went into gpedit, and the Screensaver executable was
*already* set on 'Not Configured', but I changed it
to 'Disabled' and then the screensaver drop down list was
accessible again. I set it back to 'Not Configured' and
the dropdown was still accessible so we left it at that.

Thanks for your help,
CJ
-----Original Message-----
Hi,

If he is running PRO, type gpedit.msc at Start/Run and
Click to expand...
navigate to User configuration>administrative
templates>control panel>display and in the right hand
Click to expand...
pane, double click the 'Screensaver executable
 
Back
Top