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Ask the PC Genie...

Dear PC Genie,

I would like my screen saver to come up if I am not using my computer for a period of time. Sometimes my screen saver will come up, other times it will not. It seems as though I need to go to the control panel under display and apply my screen saver each day I want it to work. Isn't there an easier way, without entering it into start up? If you have to set your screen saver each time you would like it to come on, doesn't this defeat the purpose?

Signed,

Scream Saver

Dear Scream Saver,

This question brings up several issues. The first of which is the reason you use screen savers in the first place. Screen savers were initially developed to prevent images from burning into the monitor glass. Nowadays, monitors are built to resist burn in and most have power saving features that disable the monitors after a preset amount of time. Screen savers do come equipped with passwords that you can enable in order to protect your files while you are away from your desk. This is probably the only reason to use screen savers. Bob Witham, BIS Security Analyst tells the Genie it is important to remember that the only screen savers authorized for use on your work PCs are the ones that are licensed by the State of Maine, for instance the ones that came with Windows 95. All of those cute dancing babies, talking frogs and other commercial screen savers that you can install are not to be used on state computers.

So on to the real question, how can you fix the problem of the flying windows logo or stars screen saver? Unfortunately there is no hard and fast answer to the question. According to Dawnna Pease at BIS, the issue is most likely a Windows 95 installation problem. If you are encountering this problem contact your technical support personnel in your office for assistance. They will need to troubleshoot your particular problem and re-install Windows 95.

Thanks for your question Scream Saver. Happy flying and enjoy your pizza!

Submit your questions or helpful tips to the PC Genie in care of neb.newsletter@state.me.us to win a free pizza from Spanky’s Pizza in Augusta.