Any suggestions? I have not downloaded anything new. I'm guessing that one of my programs that got routinely updated has somehow caused a conflict that prevents my screen saver from activating. I've done virus checks and malware checks.

 

Which one do you use? Maybe you need to turn it off and try again?

 

done that; tried different ones; tried different times, etc.

 

I got nothing then...one of the techies will have to weigh in.

 

^^ My computer sometimes does weird things when my av program updates or I get auto updates on windows. Usually I just hang in there and wait and a new update downloads that repairs the error. Often I lose my little icons on the toolbar and eventually they come back. I've stopped trying to fix anything and use the restart button and the laid back waiting approach.

 

I'm 99.9% sure it's Norton AntiVirus that is causing the problem. I've now determined that the screen saver is coming on but within a second or two a Norton window flashes on and then off thus leaving nothing but my background from then on - like all night.

 

Get rid of Norton. It sucks. Wants to take over your computer. Try AVG, it's free version works well.

 

Maybe not as well as you think. Check out the last page on this comparision article.

http://www.maximumpc.com./article/features...this?page=0%2C0

Norton gets a lot of bashing but if you read the whole article you might change your mind.

By the way, I got AntiVirus 2010 for FREE by ordering it through Frys.com. They were selling it for $45 and their promotion at the time gave me two VISA prepaid cards; one for $25 and another for $20. So it cost me nothing.

 

I had an interesting discussion with a programer friend. First off, he tells me not to worry about screen burn in with an LCD monitor; very unlikely except in the extreme cases. He suggested I turnoff the screen saver; says it's not needed. He made a couple other suggestions as well. I also contacted Norton but I was unable to duplicate the situation after I gave them the remote to see what was going on. They too made a couple suggestions in the way of setting changes. Time will will tell.

 

Your answer to Lainey's first question was still a little ambiguous, and no one has asked for clarification:

Is the Windows built-in screensaver (which has several variants) or a 3rd party one? HPH