Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

Magix Club's Forum _ General Help _ Some PC help

Posted by: Boo Jan 20 2010, 3:05 AM

Alright, I'm just going to make a note of this before I describe my dilemma (which probably requires a simple fix that most people know.)
I'm currently a Mac user (and always will be) and have been using Apple computers since I was 3 (I would post a picture as proof, but have decided against it.) tongue.gif So just keep in mind that all of this PC stuff is, well, new(er) to me. I use Windows XP at school and at work, so it's not all fresh and unknown to me, but I still am in that "slowly and reluctantly getting used to it" stage.


Anyway, I recently (as in, last year) bought a cheap laptop that runs Windows XP (mind you, an extremely slow and temperamental laptop. It hates me. Keep this in mind when replying with some assistance as well. icon_mrgreen.gif) My problem is, when I leave the computer idle for three minutes, my screensaver starts to run. Yes, normal. But after a longer period of idleness, when the screensaver has all but faded into a blank, black screen, and when I attempt to wake my computer from this sleeping phase, a screen comes up that claims that the computer has been locked and I need to log in.

Two questions about that: can I disable that somehow? I really get tired of unlocking it (call me lazy, but I'd just like to tap the space bar and go directly back to what I was previously doing.)
That, and I have forgotten my password (dun dun dun.) Which means, instead of the normal unlocking process, I just totally shut down the computer and restart (there's got to be a smarter way to go about this). Is there any way to retrieve a, erm, forgotten password?



Any help at all would be so very greatly appreciated! I use the computer when I'm at work, and, as you may imagine, when you're in the middle of the design process of a project and you're forced to shut down your computer, it really ruins your day. Thanks in advance!

Posted by: humbu111 Jan 20 2010, 3:26 AM

When it sleeps like that its called standby. Okay I'm not sure about these, but you could see if they work.
Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Themes [you might be able to skip this one depending on which control panel view] > Display > Screen Saver tab > at the bottom, under "Moniter power" click the "Power" button > the last drop down is "System Standby", so you can change how much idle time it takes to standby to Never .

To change the password:
Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > under "or pick an account to change" click Administrator > Change My Password
Oh wait actually, I'm not sure if you'll be able to change it if you dont know what it is currently :S

Posted by: Boo Jan 20 2010, 3:39 AM

Thank you so very much! I will definitely try both methods when I use the computer again. :)

(Sorry if they were silly questions, by the way.) icon_mrgreen.gif

Posted by: humbu111 Jan 20 2010, 3:55 AM

No probs, I hope it works (: And they werent silly lol, just simple hence I was hopefully able to help icon_razz.gif

Posted by: wkw427 Jan 21 2010, 1:56 AM

Do this

-right click the desktop, select properities
-click the screensaver tab
-(optional, disable screensaver. It uses processing power which just drains battery life)
-click the power button
-(optional, change turn off monitor to 1 min, saves power)
-set turn off hard disks to never
-set system standby to something like 10-20 min
-set system hibernate to something like 30-1hr
-click the advanced tab
-uncheck the Prompt Password when Computer resumes from standby button

Posted by: Boo Feb 7 2010, 4:22 AM

Thanks to you both! ^_^
The prompt password box was the one I was particularly looking for (since I do not know my own computer's password... How smart.) Thank goodness I do not have to worry about unsaved work when my screensaver starts up. (*sniff* I could have rescued that psd had I changed the settings before)


Thanks again!