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XP screensavers a problem? not sure
Druin:
I asked about this a long time ago and noone knew, and I'm not sure if it's an issue for modern FEs, but when I was using arcade@home, and switched to XP, I found my screensaver would kick in during the game after my XP screensaver time lapsed (using the PC Gameport for games, the PC saw no key activity and timed out).
THe problem was i couldn't figure out how to disable the screensaver in dos apps like I used to in all other windows versions prior.
Is XP screensaver a problem still, or do people just shut it off and use a FE screensaver? (My problem was the PC is not a dedicated game system so I use the XP saver)
tep0583:
I just don't use screensavers.
They really aren't nessessary with modern monitors, anyway. (all bets are off if you're running a arcade monitor, but I'm pretty sure you're not)
Druin:
yeah I'm using an LCD monitor and I use the power save as well, but I like the password protection aspect of screensavers, not to hide anything, but to prevent people accidentally leaning on keys...at work I once lost half a year of emails because I didn't realize someone at my desk was leaning on the delete key for 10minutes, and I exited outlook before noticing the result (purging deleted mail upon exit)
So I'm a little paranoid over stuff similar to that.
tep0583:
That IS the only remaining legitamate use of screensavers, IMO.
You could lock the PC when your're away from it. Same effect, without having to set the saver....
Druin:
only thing is when I end up being away but didn't plan on it, it would be nice to have it time out after the 20minutes if I don't come back. It happens.
Well once I get a real system dedicated to mame I won't worry about it, it'll be meant to run 24/7 with an active screen, I'd be turning screen saver off. I think for me a part of the arcade experience will be to be able to come home to a running arcade machine, complete with attract demo sounds (sometimes). It would kind of cheapen it to have to go boot itup. I already have lived with a 24/7 computer philosophy for as long as I can remember, at least a decade.
I only turn them off when they crash beyond recovery and I am forced to hold the power button for 4 seconds!