Windows ScreenSaver Goes On While Using A Game Controller

[fjl]

The Screensaver never turns on when I'm pressing keyboard buttons and while using I-pac since both register as being active. But when I play a game using my PC game controller(Logitech Dual Action) the screen saver turns on and usually during a crucial moment!
 

I know that I could simply turn off the screensaver but I need it to run all the time and switching it off and on is such an annoying hassle. So how can I make the screen saver not run while using a PC controller? I need this to work all the time. If I recall, MAME has a screensaver override option but my other emulators do not. I need a fix!

[DaveMMR]

Not really a solution, per se, but why do you need the screensaver?  Couldn't you:
a) Set the timer longer (like an hour or so)?
b) Turn off your monitor when you're leaving the computer on but not using it?
c) Lock your computer when you walk away from it (if the screensaver is a pseudo security tool and you have to "log-in" to resume working)?

Screensavers are nothing more than decorations nowadays as monitors don't have the same burn-in problems they used to. 

[crummy]

You could probably use Joy2Key to have one of the buttons on your gamepad trigger a random (unused) key.

[Organic Jerk]

Screensavers are nothing more than decorations nowadays as monitors don't have the same burn-in problems they used to. 

Well isn't an arcade cabinet itself nothing more than decoration seeing as its just a PC encased?  Home consoles are smaller and can do more work...The controls aren't really ergonomic... etc...etc..


Personally, I think having MAME vids running in a screensaver (as an "attract mode" of sorts) is really cool and adds to the atmospere of the cabinet itself..


In this hobby I would say Decorations are generally a positive thing if done well...

[SGT]

I need a fix!

If you still use Mala, you could whip up a tiny plugin that programatically turns off the screen saver when playing a game and turning it back on when you're through.  Here is a link to some Dephi code to do that.  See the second post from netmaestro:

http://blitzmax.com/Community/posts.php?topic=48372

If you don't do plugins, you may have to request it from one of the Mala experts in this forum.

[DaveMMR]

Screensavers are nothing more than decorations nowadays as monitors don't have the same burn-in problems they used to. 

Well isn't an arcade cabinet itself nothing more than decoration seeing as its just a PC encased?  Home consoles are smaller and can do more work...The controls aren't really ergonomic... etc...etc..

Personally, I think having MAME vids running in a screensaver (as an "attract mode" of sorts) is really cool and adds to the atmospere of the cabinet itself..

In this hobby I would say Decorations are generally a positive thing if done well...

You're comparing arcade cabinets to screensavers? 

Besides, based on the information given in the original post, I was guessing that he was talking about a desktop PC.   Yeah, an arcade cabinet would be a different story I suppose if you wanted to leave it on for extended periods (though I just generally let a random game run in attact mode).  More information is needed methinks.

[SGT]

Screensavers are nothing more than decorations nowadays as monitors don't have the same burn-in problems they used to. 

I still see a ton of screen burn in industrial environments even with newer monitors.

[loadman]

I need a fix!

If you still use Mala, you could whip up a tiny plugin that programatically turns off the screen saver when playing a game and turning it back on when you're through.  Here is a link to some Dephi code to do that.  See the second post from netmaestro:
http://blitzmax.com/Community/posts.php?topic=48372
If you don't do plugins, you may have to request it from one of the Mala experts in this forum.

Well done James Bond.  Plug-in is attached to this post.

Unzip and place into your mala plugins directory.

Enjoy.

Code: [Select]

library SSToggle;

uses
  Windows;  // Required for this Plug-in

function ToggleSaverActive(z:double):double; cdecl;
begin
if z=1 then
SystemParametersInfo(SPI_SETSCREENSAVEACTIVE, 1, nil, SPIF_SENDWININICHANGE)
else
SystemParametersInfo(SPI_SETSCREENSAVEACTIVE, 0, nil, SPIF_SENDWININICHANGE);
Result := 0;
end;

{*******************************************************************************
*
*******************************************************************************}
procedure MaLaGameStart(); cdecl;
begin
 ToggleSaverActive(0);
end;

{*******************************************************************************
*
*******************************************************************************}
procedure MaLaGameQuit(); cdecl;

begin
  ToggleSaverActive(1);
end;

{*******************************************************************************
*
*******************************************************************************}
function PluginName(): PChar; cdecl;
begin
     result := PChar('Windows Screen Saver Toggle');
end;

{*******************************************************************************
*
*******************************************************************************}
function PluginCopyright(): PChar; cdecl;
begin
     result := PChar('2007 by Loadman & SGT');
end;

exports
  MaLaGameStart,
  MaLaGameQuit;

{$R *.RES}

begin
end.

[SGT]

Does loadman deliver or what?  Issue with Windows screensaver reported....3 hours later.....loadman AKA the "Aussie Assassin" provides a Mala plugin that effectively resolves issue.      And if that wasn't enough, gives me plugin copyright credit for my tremendous google searching skills.  Thanks loadman.   

[Organic Jerk]

Holy Christ.

Wow, loadman..

And the Mala plugins list grows!

 

[loadman]

Does loadman deliver or what?  Issue with Windows screensaver reported....3 hours later.....loadman AKA the "Aussie Assassin" provides a Mala plugin that effectively resolves issue.      And if that wasn't enough, gives me plugin copyright credit for my tremendous google searching skills.  Thanks loadman.   

Twas easy. Hence me showing what little code was required.

Mate (Aussie talk) 

It's like beach volleyball, You set em up and I will spike it over the net.  :-)

Ehh Bad image.  Me at the beach. Sorry about that. 

[fjl]

Thanks but I still need a fix cause I need it for my normal computer that I use for both work and games. I think mame has a screen saver over ride, but my other emulators do not have that option. And I really don't want to be running MALA to play a quick game of super mario bros.

I tried the Joy2key thing. There's something wrong with it cause I couldn't get the directional controls to work. Finally I figured it so the directional work but now the regular buttons no longer work.
 

[loadman]

Thanks but I still need a fix cause I need it for my normal computer that I use for both work and games. I think mame has a screen saver over ride, but my other emulators do not have that option. And I really don't want to be running MALA to play a quick game of super mario bros.

I tried the Joy2key thing. There's something wrong with it cause I couldn't get the directional controls to work. Finally I figured it so the directional work but now the regular buttons no longer work.
 

Well I could compile the code to stand alone app, And then you could use a batch file to launch it, then the game ,then it again after . But as I type this it seems much more troublesome than just running Mala.   

Could you not just run a simple scalled down version of mala lists on your normal PC as I do (for testing stuff) ?

[crummy]

I tried the Joy2key thing. There's something wrong with it cause I couldn't get the directional controls to work. Finally I figured it so the directional work but now the regular buttons no longer work.
 

I was thinking you could use joy2key to just send button1 to "u", or some random key. That way, every time you hit it in game, windows will think you hit a key on the keyboard (the "u" key) and so the screensaver won't be activated. However, the game will still accept the button1, etc keys.

[DaveMMR]

Screensavers are nothing more than decorations nowadays as monitors don't have the same burn-in problems they used to. 

I still see a ton of screen burn in industrial environments even with newer monitors.

Still not much of an issue in the home environment unless you're the type of person that leaves your monitor on along with your computer 24/7.

Thanks but I still need a fix cause I need it for my normal computer that I use for both work and games.

Which brings my original reply back into play.  I know there are talented people on this forum, as evidenced by the quick turn around time for a plug-in (and may I add, brilliant - definately useful for the cab), but I'm just confused as to why the screensaver is definately needed.  Not trying to be a pain or smarmy, just honest-to-God curiosity.  Because if it comes to a point (and it has) that the screensaver is coming in univited and disrupting my work or play, I just disable the annoying thing and turn the monitor off when stepping away from the computer.

I apologize if you do have a very strong reason for leaving it active.  I'm not trying to tell you how to run your computer.  But if you want the screensaver, then, in my opinion, the easiest solution is either to extend the wait time (like an hour - and maybe hit the spacebar every once in a while) or disable the screensaver during game time (it doesn't take terribly long - and if you forget to reactive it, your monitor will live).  You will honestly spend more time downloading and configuring software than it will take to right-click the desktop and change an option. 

[SGT]

And I really don't want to be running MALA to play a quick game of super mario bros.

Sounds like you want to get the game off of the screen quickly in case the boss walks in.  What's his email address?

[DaveMMR]

And I really don't want to be running MALA to play a quick game of super mario bros.

Sounds like you want to get the game off of the screen quickly in case the boss walks in.  What's his email address?

I think the controller would give him away anyhow. 

[SGT]

I think the controller would give him away anyhow. 

Nah, too easy to hide in your lap under your desk while playing.

[fjl]

I do leave my computer running 24-7 and I have a huge CRt screen. I don't want screen burn-in happening. No this is not my work computer. It's my home personal computer.

I played some more with joy2key and while the program works it doesn't work in game. I can go to notepad and the controller buttons work as keyboard presses. It work fines on notepad.

And in game, all the buttons work except the regular buttons 1, 2, 3 etc.. I have those mapped as DEL INSERT HOME END PGUP PGDN. I'm guessing it's just that group of 6 buttons that joyTokey doesn't support ingame.

I can't change the button layout cause its set to those buttons for ALL my emulators. 

[DaveMMR]

Question for you efjayel:  Are you using a 3rd Party Screen saver or is it a Windows Screen saver?  Also, is the screen saver left on all night or does your computer eventually sleep? 

I used to leave my computer on 24/7 but I never had the screen saver active, however I did have sleep options set (monitor turns off after 20 minutes).  I would also turn off the monitor off manually to save energy. 

[fjl]

It's a windows Screensaver. The simple Windows XP logo. The screen saver is left on all night the only thing that goes to sleep are the hard drives. After 30 minutes of inactivity they're set to turn off and restart only if access to them is required. This has actually prolonged the life of my hard drives cause before they would always be on and my hard drives would only last about 6 months or so. The ones I have now have lasted longer than 2 years and are still going.

I still need a fix for this though.

[loadman]

It's a windows Screensaver. The simple Windows XP logo. The screen saver is left on all night the only thing that goes to sleep are the hard drives. After 30 minutes of inactivity they're set to turn off and restart only if access to them is required. This has actually prolonged the life of my hard drives cause before they would always be on and my hard drives would only last about 6 months or so. The ones I have now have lasted longer than 2 years and are still going.

I still need a fix for this though.

Well in the meantime you have a fix if you use MaLa 

[SGT]

I still need a fix for this though.

I hate to be thick-headed, but I don't for the life of me see why you still need a fix.  Fine, if you don't want to run a front-end (which can't be more trouble that starting mame).   Loadman offered to compile his program into an executable.  A batch file could start his program which disables the screen saver, it then loads mame, then re-enables the screen saver when you're through with mame.  Starting the batch file is not one step more than starting mame would be.  What more could you want besides a Microsoft patch for the Windows screensaver monitoring routine? 

[DaveMMR]

It's a windows Screensaver. The simple Windows XP logo. The screen saver is left on all night the only thing that goes to sleep are the hard drives. After 30 minutes of inactivity they're set to turn off and restart only if access to them is required. This has actually prolonged the life of my hard drives cause before they would always be on and my hard drives would only last about 6 months or so. The ones I have now have lasted longer than 2 years and are still going.

You'll see a big difference on the electric bill if you put the monitor to sleep as well.  I stand by my statement that the screen saver is only barely useful nowadays and if you're leaving your computer on all night, even if you don't put the monitor to sleep, it takes literally a split-second to just turn off the monitor.  As a matter of fact, I turned my monitor off and then on while typing this and it only took me an extra three seconds.

I still need a fix for this though.

I'm with SGT on this statement.  I can understand not wanted to go the front-end route for a desktop computer, but I honestly can't see why just turning off the screen saver temporarily - which can't take more than 10 ~ 15 seconds* - is not an option.  I have to turn crap on and off all the time but it's not the end of the world.  Beyond just reconfiguring the screensaver options or running a simple batch file, it becomes an exercise in using convoluted solutions to solve a simple problem.   

*If it does, you need more memory.

[fjl]

I'll still go for that batch file if you want to do it loadman. As for running Mala, I find it has some weird effects that I'm trying to fix so I'd rather not use that.

[loadman]

I'll still go for that batch file if you want to do it loadman. As for running Mala, I find it has some weird effects that I'm trying to fix so I'd rather not use that.

Attached Windows and command Exe (Use saver.exe in a batch file)

WindowsSSTogGui.exe was just for fun  :-)  (see attached pic)   

anyway your batch file may look something like this, I'm sure others have better ideas as I'm not bat file expert

ie

example.bat

Code: [Select]

saver.exe off
mame.exe
saver.exe on

You can then create a Windows shortcut to your batch file.. or whatever

When you work out your MaLa issue(s) please share (in the spirit of the hobby     )

[zelony]

Modern monitors can still get burn in.  Even LCD monitors can.  If you don't believe me, stop by Click's Gaming Center in West Des Moines, IA.  I will show you a nice modern 17" LCD with screen burn in.

I only use the power settings now, it turns off the monitor when there is no activity.  It will make the monitor last much longer and is more sensitive to use of the system than the screen saver, so it may work better with the game pad.

Jeff

[DaveMMR]

If you don't believe me, stop by Click's Gaming Center in West Des Moines, IA.

Okay, I'll go cash in my miles and meet you there.   

Is it possible to get burn-in.  Sure.  But it's not a real big problem anymore with monitors since the 90s.  Everyone's "seen" a burned-in display, but no one can tell me for certain if these monitors were operated under normal conditions.  For the home user, a bigger concern would be the life of the monitor itself and energy concerns (i.e. the bill).  Which is why I agree with your second paragraph zelony, and is exactly what I do.

[fjl]

Thanks loadman it works. Well sort of. The screensaver doesn't come on but the monitor still shuts off for that power saver setting. Can't win them all I guess. 

[loadman]

Thanks loadman it works. Well sort of. The screensaver doesn't come on but the monitor still shuts off for that power saver setting. Can't win them all I guess. 

   

Well you could set the monitor shut off for a longer time than you would possibly be playing a game with a gamepad.  :-)

[zobook]

Loadman. I read you quick answer to the screensaver problem and want to ask for your help (if dont bothers you) with a little program i'm doing for closing emulators using a gamepad. I post about it here

I think it could be useful (and could incorporate the code for turning screensaver off too as well as proper credits)

About the batch file, it will works on MAME because is a console app, but if you use other emulators (let say VirtuaNes.exe for running NES/Famicom games) that is a windowed app it will turn off ss, run the appication and turn the ss on again immediately. You have to use the windowed version or have two batch files, one for turning off ss and other for turning it on.

[DaveMMR]

Why not use Joy2Key to emulate a press of ALT+F4?

[zobook]

Why not use Joy2Key to emulate a press of ALT+F4?

Because programming (and sometimes reinventing the wheel) is fun!!! 

About joy2key, there is a newer version than  3.7.4 wich i believe is 2002/2003?

[loadman]

Loadman. I read you quick answer to the screensaver problem and want to ask for your help (if dont bothers you) with a little program i'm doing for closing emulators using a gamepad.

OK sorry for being slow.... But

What exactly are you asking me to do for you?

[DaveMMR]

Why not use Joy2Key to emulate a press of ALT+F4?

Because programming (and sometimes reinventing the wheel) is fun!!! 

About joy2key, there is a newer version than  3.7.4 wich i believe is 2002/2003?

If programming is fun, why are you asking someone else to do it?   

I'm sorry, not trying to be mean.  Again, just practical. 

[zobook]

OK sorry for being slow.... But

What exactly are you asking me to do for you?

Slow? No problem!

I'm using the DXInput VCL control from DelphiX and when i try to make a formless app i found out that i cant just assign NIL to the parent of the object, it pops a runtime error saing that the form dont exists. So i have to use Forms unit and put the control there. That makes the program a lot bigger. Is there any way to use that control without a Form?

If programming is fun, why are you asking someone else to do it?

DaveMMR
(just kidding)

Sometimes i also try to be practical, and sometimes....well, i just want to see if i can make it (that not exludes asking for someone else help). For example, there are a lot of nice notepad replacements out there. But i make my own, it has the 2 or 3 extra options missing in notepad that i will need 99% of the times. I enjoy programming it, and is nice to use something you do yourself. Why will be the forum fill with questions about making cabinets and CP when you can buy those things? Because isn't the same...

Thanks