The Ultimate Windows Screensaver Tweaking Guide
Mar 1, 2007
Microsoft released many new screensavers for Windows Vista and Windows 7 that look great. However, for some reason they never made option screens for them. All of the new screensavers have settings that you can tweak to completely change the look and behavior. Without an options screen, the only way to do this is with editing the registry directly. This guide will help you use registry hacks to customize the Windows screensavers including:...
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Oct 6, 2008
When man first booted the PC, he saw the BIOS screen: a jumble of monochromatic numbers that made about as much sense as the binary language of load lifters. Sadly, not much about the BIOS has changed since the DeLorean and skinny ties were cool. Decades later, in our modern, visual-based world, we’re still greeted with a screen full of text from machines 1,000 times faster than those that were around when the ol’ BIOS was born. Most PC lightweights simply ignore the BIOS and wait for their OSes to take over. Power users, however, know that the BIOS can be a friendly and rewarding place to go spelunking.
So just what the hell is the BIOS? Short for Basic Input Output System, the BIOS is a tiny bit of software embedded in your motherboard that gets executed when your PC is turned on. The BIOS is responsible for chores such as sizing up the amount of available RAM, detecting the hard drives, and setting the CPU speed. Once the system house-cleaning is done, the BIOS boots the OS from the hard drive and hands over control...............
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Feb 8, 2009
Ultimate Malware Removal Guide -- Purge Your PC of Junk Files!
Quote: Malware is everywhere. You can't browse on any Internet tech forum without someone mentioning this word (with disdain), usually in search of a remedy after being infected with spyware. No matter how careful you are, we’re guessing that many of you have had malware inadvertently installed on your system and may have even ended up reformatting your computer as a last resort. While that may have been the most thorough solution, it is in a sense admitting defeat. Or worse yet, you took your computer to get cleaned and was charged anywhere from $50-300 -- a high price for humiliation. But don't fret, because you can actually purge your system of malicious software for free! Just follow our comprehensive guide. Read more at: Ultimate Malware Removal Guide -- Purge Your PC of Junk Files! | Maximum PC
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Mar 23, 2008
I recently puchased a laptop with Vista Ultimate and upgraded my desktop to Vista Home premium. I noticed that the aquarium screensaver is not available as an option in Ultimate, but is available in Home Premium. Can anybody tell me how I can enable the aquarium screensaver in Ultimate?
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Sep 1, 2009
A friend of mine has his Vista PC automatically installing an update, then reboots with no prompt before login any user. And that's looped forever. What's strange is it does the same in safe mode.
At present no session can be opened, nor even reached. Nothing seems to be possible.
I'm thinking I could alter/delete the RunOnce entry in the registry but I would either need
- an XP tool that can read a Vista registry from a file on a separate HD (yes, I would take the HD to my PC)
- or a Linux live CD tool (but I'm asking this question on a Linux forum) that could do the same
- or of course any other brilliant idea.
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Oct 18, 2006
To enable you to workaround any remaining sites that block access to Internet Explorer 7, we developed the User Agent String Utility. The utility comes in the form of a small executable that opens an IE7 instance that sends the IE6 user agent string. It also provides a mechanism for you to report problem web sites to Microsoft so that we can follow up with the affected site owners. Please download the tool and give it a try....
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Apr 13, 2009
Some people are unsure on how to overclock the GPU. Quite frankly, the GPU is the easiest thing to overclock in a system. Lets start from the beginning. This will void your warranty if you have an ATI video card. The first thing I recommend is to grab some useful programs and the latest NVIDIA WHQL drivers. The programs I recommend are EVGA Precision 1.7.0 or Rivatuner (for the overclocking/monitoring), GPU-Z 0.3.3 (monitoring/GPU info), and ATItool (artifact testing). ForceWare 182.50 WHQL DriverWinXP 32 bit WinXP 64 bit WinVista 32 bit WinVista 64 bit Proper uninstallation/installation of video drivers (Vista, in XP it should be somewhat similar):Download and install Driver Sweeper or something similar. Right click on computer, click Device Manager (on left) Select your display device (video card), uninstall video device software. Delete driver folder (C:NVIDIAWinVista641xx.xx) Reboot in safe mode (repeatedly hit F8 during boot sequence). Run Driver Sweeper or your equivalent. Only clean Display driver. Reboot. Download and install your desired driver. Reboot. When installing new drivers, make sure all anti-virus software is disabled. EVGA Precision 1.7.0 Download , GPU-Z 0.3.3 Download, ATItool.26 Download , Driver Sweeper 1.5.5 Download
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Aug 28, 2008
What is overclocking? Firstly, it is currently the mostly widely used word that does not appear in the English dictionary...... Secondly, it is operating hardware (particularly CPU, RAM, motherboard, and video card) above and beyond rated specs. Rated specs are the level to which a particular piece of hardware is expected to, has been tested to, and is warranted to perform. What this equates to in the real world is a certain price tag for a certain level of expected performance.... Overclockers strive to determine not what hardware should do, but what can do.
Overclocking is more of an art than a science. There is no combination of settings that will yield the best results for every system...... Greater experience does make the overclocking process less cumbersome, but it is and always will be a trial and error process..... Don't be afraid to experiment, but always take things slow and be aware of temperature and voltage limits. Overclocking Basics (particular to Intel systems, though many of the concepts apply to AMD systems as well)
1) Limitations - Each hardware component has physical limitations that, at a minimum, meet the rated (stock) specifications..... In the process of thoroughly overclocking a system, the actual limitations of various components will be found. In general, the CPU, RAM, and motherboard will control the overclock, but other components such as the PSU and cooling will have a major impact on overclocking abilities..... Depending on which of the three primary components (CPU, RAM, and mobo) is the first to reach its limits, different steps can be taken to squeeze more out of the other components. Video card overclocking is generally independent of overclocking the components previously listed.
2) Overclocking in the BIOS vs. overclocking software - Whenever the option exists, manipulating BIOS settings is the best way to accomplish overclocking..... BIOSes on value/low end motherboards and on proprietary systems such as Dells and HPs generally have few to no options available for overclocking....... On such systems, there is the potential to overclock through software, though there is not a single piece of software to overclock every board............
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Feb 14, 2009
After trying to install drivers for an HP printer resulting in a total wipe out and reinstall, the Asus tech called me and suggested this guide. He said to always try to connect the new device and see if Vista-64 "sees it" properly, and then uses the Vista drivers.There should be no compatibility problems. But if Vista-64 "cannot" recognize it, one had better go to the device site and ensure it's 64 bit compatible and if new drivers exist.Otherwise, forcing the install could lead to problems.
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Apr 23, 2008
I see Windows Sound Schemes, and DreamScene Content Pack 3 now available. Also the Windows Vista Ultimate Language Packs are back after the SP1 upgrade.
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Oct 18, 2008
After having sucessfully updated my Realtek HD Audio Driver, I now need to know how I go about setting it all up in Realtek HD Audio Manager. My audio engineering and setup skills are limited by the fact that last time I ever attempted anything in this field, it involved two tin cans, and a piece of string![System FAILED!....Error: String snapped!] What I need are easy-to-follow instructions, for the entire setup process of Realtek Audio Manager, from start to finish. I don't want to make a mess of the audio system by barging in, without a clue as to what I am doing, and clicking willy-nilly all over the place. I also note that the Realtek HD Audio Manager Setup page does not show a? Help button for the lesser forms of life, and for this reason ask if there are PDF/User Guide/Instructons etc. anywhere that lead you through the Setup process for the HD Audio Manager?
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Nov 19, 2009
I just migrated to 64 bit Vista and I have Windows Mail. When I was using 32 bit Vista I had all my Hotmail folders, newsgroups, calendar, etc. when I selected the Mail icon. Is there a way to migrate Hotmail to Windows Mail, or a way to replace Windows Mail with what I had when I was using 32 bit Vista? I had IE 8 with 32 bit and I have IE 8 with 64 bit.
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Mar 8, 2009
A recent TV guide update appears to have resulted in a loss of all channels from 32 to 71. I have COMCAST (Portland, OR) and for over 1.5 years my guide updates have always shown Ch's 1 - 71. For the last 48 hours the upper channels are not even listed. My TV can still access those channels, so they haven't been dropped. I've rebooted & downloaded the most recent guide.
I've re-ran TV Setup & elected "No Guide" then rebooted & tried again, electing to use the guide, but still same results. I've been searching/reading 100's post trying to get an idea why this is suddenly happening and how to resolve. So, the guide is downloading & displaying channels, but not channels 32-71. Oh, I can manually add and access the missing channels, which will work in a pinch, but of course the channel lineup shows "no data available."
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Feb 6, 2009
I have a HP pavilion laptop which came with 64 bit vista ultimate pre-installed. I shrinked the OS partition (160 GB), created new partition (40 GB) for 64 bit windows 7 ultimate. After installation of Windows 7, I cannot see the vista ultimate boot option when I boot my PC. When I boot into Windows 7, I still can see the vista partition. But instead of C: it is now displayed as E: I used the HP Recovery Disc to repair windows vista but I can only see a blank blue screen with the mouse pointer. How can I recover the vista?
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Mar 28, 2009
I Just want to know why my screensaver doesn't work using a Microsoft wireless laser mouse, also microsoft wireless keyboard, windows vista.
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Oct 18, 2008
I cant find the screensaver manager.
When I do right click in the desktop, then Personalization, the Screen Saver option don't appear.
I can reinstall this?
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Oct 14, 2008
I am running Vista Home Premium x64 with a Microsoft wireless mouse and keyboard combo. Back in Feb 2008 I downloaded the optional "HID Non-user Input data filter" update and installed it. This fixed my screensaver not working issue. Then, 4 days ago my screensaver stopped working again. In my system I see that the update is still installed. The only thing that changed is I upgraded my Norton Antivirus 2008 to 2009, and installed one of the standard "Automatic Updates" for Microsoft Windows. Does anyone have any clue as to why or how to fix it again?
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Mar 23, 2008
This question has been asked by many people, but somehow no solutions have been offered. It's about the screensaver not working anymore. My os is home premium 32 bit. I checked the Preview which is working, I checked the settings which is 5 min., and I checked the power settings which is 15 min.on battery and 30 min. on plug-in. I have it on Performance Setting. My laptop is 4 months old. I have over 65 GB left on C: and 5.6 GB left on my D: drive.
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Mar 23, 2008
Just got a new PC with Vista and my screensaver does not work. A previous thread indicated that it could be caused by a wireless mouse. I have a MS Intellipoint 4.1. Is this the cause of the problem?
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Jul 17, 2008
Got a totally different screensaver problem than found by searching the forum.
I got my screensaver to engage after 15 minutes without any mouse movement.
The thing is, if I am watching a movie, the screensaver will start after the 15 minutes into the movie. Even if I leave a game in the pause mode to get something like food, the screensaver will engage after the 15 minutes. No matter what screensave I use, it still happens.
Why is this happening?
I'm using Vista Ultimate x64 SP1
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Jun 20, 2008
I have a Dell Inspiron running Vista. Had no problems until recently when the screensaver started to refuse to work. Even when I go to screen saver settings and select preview the screensaver just comes on for less than a second and goes off again.
I have got a wireless mouse but have always used it, I have tried unplugging it, but to no avail. I have also tried a selective startup with only microsoft programs on startup, but still no joy.
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Sep 5, 2009
I accidentally deleted some .scr files from the system32 folder and now i can't install any screen savers nor use the ones i didn't delete. (it just shows "none" on the change screens saver menu). I remember deleting a small (5kb or so) .scr file which i assume caused the problem.
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Jul 30, 2008
I updated and downloaded the patch and it started to work instantly, But later that same night after running a handful of other applications it stopped working and the screensaver won't start. I can go and preview it but it won't start once I am idle. I know that this is a ridiculus issue but my wife loves to see all our family photos as the screensaver.
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May 16, 2009
This is my first post. I tried to post before but I can't locate it so I will try again.Plaese bear with me. I have a new Dell Inspiron 531S that I have connected to my old ViewSonic VA720 monitor. I am running Vista Home Premium. My problem is that i cannnot get Screensaver to work. No matter which dispaly or time I choose Nothing happens. It's more agrivating than anything else but I would like to be able to egt it to work.
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May 15, 2010
I somehow have managed to delete my default vista screensaver , u know the one that says windows vista and does that aero animation, i was wondering if someone could tell me how to install it back from the dvd or maybe download it from somewhere,coz i have searched in my windows folder and it is not there,and i really like that screensaver the basic one.
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Sep 25, 2008
I have tried repeatedly to fix my screensaver. It will not even turn on manually by clicking preview. All I get is a black screen for a few seconds and then back to the display options. I have tried different screen savers and none of them work.
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May 17, 2008
On a couple occasions now, I have left the computer, and then come back to the computer to see the screen all black with that circular Vista logo in the middle of the screen. I take it that means the screensaver was about to kick in? Well the system did not respond either time. What is going on here? These Vista freezes are getting tiresome. I have also had problems with Chess Titans. If I open IE while playing it, then system is guaranteed to freeze. If I try to maximize the Chess Titans window, the system is guaranteed to freeze. Some people warned me not to get Vista. If I can't fix the freezing, then I will regret not listening to them.
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Jun 28, 2008
After Installing Vista SP1 for MS update, my screensaver does not work,...It's set to come on, but nothing happens..Anyone else have this trouble?
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Mar 1, 2009
Hi - I downloaded an XP port of the Vista Bubbles screensaver which is my all time favourite screensaver.
Unfortunately the settings dialog does not work on XP, but the person who ported it gave some registry entries that can be modified manually to change the Bubbles options.
Here's the registry path, followed by the entries the author specifies.
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionScreensaversBubbles
- SpanMultiMon [DWORD] 0/1
- SphereDensity [DWORD] int
- Radius [DWORD] int
- TurbulenceNumOctaves [DWORD] int
- TurbulenceSpeed [DWORD] int
- TurbulenceForce [DWORD] int
- ShowBubbles [DWORD] 0/1
- MaterialGlass [DWORD] 0/1
- ShowShadows [DWORD] 0/1
My problem is that none of the entries above change the number of bubbles displayed by the screensaver! I thought 'SphereDensity' might but whatever value that's changed to results in my getting just one bubble, when I delete the registry entry of SphereDensity completely I'm back to what I presume is the default number of bubbles (that being a lot!).
Can someone take a look at the Bubbles screensaver registry entry on Vista for me please and let me know if there is an entry that sounds like it might control the number of bubbles displayed? If you first turn the bubbles screensaver on and change the number of bubbles to say, 7, when you look in the registry you may only have to look down the values column for 7. Watch out - if you choose a number greater than 9 then the hex number will be displayed, 9 and under are the same in decimal and hex.
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Oct 22, 2007
I am unable to get the Screensaver to work on my laptop that has Vista. Any thoughts on how I can get it to work? I have taken it back for service and no one can figure it out.
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Oct 16, 2008
This is how to configure the logon screensaver to use PhotoScreensaver to display images at the Windows Vista logon screen.
1. Begin with a new Vista image.
2. Put the PC on the network and logon as Administrator.
3. Right click on the new desktop, click Personalize, Screen saver
4. Select Photos and change the Wait time to 1 minute (for quicker test)
5. Click Preview to make sure it works, click Apply, OK
6. Wait 1 minute and allow the Screen saver to run once.
7. Escape out of the Screen saver and return to the logged on desktop.
8. Click Start, in the Search bar type Regedit and open the Registry editor.
9. Expand HKEY_USERS
10. Expand the top S-1-5-21-xxxxxxxx-xxxxx-xxxx key
11. Navigate down to SoftwareMicrosoftWindows Photo GallerySlideshowScreensaver
12. Right click on FolderPath and Modify to C:UsersPublicPictures
13. Navigate back up to SoftwareMicrosoftWindows Photo Gallery
14. Right click on the Windows Photo Gallery key and click Export and give it the name of Photo and save to the desktop
15. Navigate back to HKEY_USERSS-1-5-21xxxx-xxxxControl PanelDesktop
16. Right click on the Desktop key and click Export and give it the name of 521Desktop and save to the desktop
17. Close Regedit and return to the Desktop
18. Right click on the exported Photo.reg and click on Edit
19. When the file opens in Edit mode, highlight the entire S-1-5-21-xxxxx-xxxx string and copy (Ctrl+C)
20. Click on Edit, Replace
21. In Find what: press Ctrl+V to enter the entire S-1-5-21-xxxx key name
22. In Replace with: enter .DEFAULT (yes, include the dot)
23. Click File, Save as and name the edited file DefaultPhoto (needs to remain .reg NOT .txt)
24. Repeat the process of editing Photo.reg and this time edit to replace the S-1-5-21-xxxx key name with S-1-5-19
25. Save this edited file as Photo519 (needs to remain a .reg NOT .txt)
26. Repeat the process of editing the 521Desktop.reg file and save one edited file as 519Desktop with the respective edits (find & replace w/ S-1-5-19); save a second edited file as DefaultDesktop with the respective edits (find & replace w/ .DEFAULT)
27. Right click on the PhotoDefault.reg file (on the Desktop) and click Merge, Continue, Yes, OK
28. Right click on the Photo519.reg file (on the Desktop) and click Merge, Continue, Yes, OK
29. Right click on the 519Desktop.reg file (on the Desktop) and click Merge, Continue, Yes, OK
30. Right click on the DefaultDesktop.reg file (on the Desktop) and click Merge, Continue, Yes, OK
31. Continue in Regedit and Expand HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelDesktop
32. In the Desktop settings (in the right pane) Right click on ScreenSaveTimeOut and Modify the time to desired length of time
33. Repeat the process in HKEY_USERSS-1-5-19Control PanelDesktop and use the same time entered for .DEFAULT
34. Close regedit, restart the PC. Once the PC is at the logon screen, wait for the photos to appear after the amount of time set (in ScreenSaveTimeOut).
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