Screensaver Password (Win XP)

**eli77057** · 2003-07-11 17:34

I have my laptop password protected through the BIOS. I've also set the password protect function on my screensaver but, when the password prompt appears in the screensaver, just clicking OK makes it go away and the desktop is open.
How do I get the screensaver prompt to require my password before it opens the desktop?

**StuartR** · 2003-07-11 18:58

Are you using one of the built in Windows XP screen savers? I have seen this behaviour with old 16 bit ones.

Are you allowing the screen saver a few seconds to stabilise before you click OK? You get a couple of seconds to cancel the screen saver when it appears before it requires a password

StuartR

**eli77057** · 2003-07-11 19:20

Thank you for your reply.
1. Yes, I'm using the built-in screen saver
2. If I have a few seconds to cancel the screensaver logon, doesn't that negate the purpose of the whole process?
Eli

**StuartR** · 2003-07-11 19:25

I think the idea is that if you are actually sitting at your computer and the screen saver cuts in then you can cancel it immediately. A few seconds later and the password would be needed.

Can you try waiting for a little while (only about 10 seconds after the screen saver cuts in) to see if it prompts you for a password.

StuartR

**eli77057** · 2003-07-11 20:01

Hi again,
Stuart, my concern is not about the screensaver cutting while I'm working at the laptop. My concern is when I'm away for 15-30 minutes and I can just skip through the logon when I return.
Eli

**StuartR** · 2003-07-11 20:13

That's definitely not normal.

Do you log in to the computer with a password or have you somehow managed to bypass this? The screen saver should prompt you for your log in password.

StuartR

**cowboydawg** · 2003-07-11 20:13

Here is a little trick you could use Screensaver Password Protect

**eli77057** · 2003-07-11 20:23

I have to login with my password which was setup in the BIOS Security. When I open the laptop, I have a blank, dark screen with just room for my password.
Eli

**StuartR** · 2003-07-11 21:06

Windows has absolutely no knowledge or visiblity of your BIOS password. The password it uses for the screen saver is the WINDOWS login password. If you are bypassing the windows login then you will have no password for the screen saver to use.

StuartR

**eli77057** · 2003-07-11 21:33

Stuart,
You've solved the problem (I hope). Now, how do I setup a Windows password?
Eli

**StuartR** · 2003-07-11 21:36

If this is Windows XP home, then I have absolutely no idea! Hopefully someone else can jump in at this stage and complete the puzzle for you.

StuartR

**HansV** · 2003-07-11 21:48

To set a Windows password in XP Home, take the following steps (captions may be slightly different, I'm using the Dutch version):

Select Start | Control Panel
Select User Accounts
Select Change an Account

**cowboydawg** · 2003-07-11 22:34

Stuart is right. If you bootup and bypass Windows Logon Screen, then you have diabled Password Protect function, and it will not work with the Screensaver because you have the Password Protect Function Disabled. Turn on the Password Protection at Logon and then it should work for the screensaver. I just tried to duplicate your problem, and thats exactly what happens if I bypass The Logon Screen.

**eli77057** · 2003-07-11 23:10

Hans,
Thank you. I'll try it on the laptop after dinner.
Eli

**eli77057** · 2003-07-11 23:54

Stuart,
I think that the message that follows has the answer.
Thank you for your communications.
Eli

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