Screen saver tab greyed out

Discussion in 'Software' started by nugget, Aug 19, 2009.

  1. nugget
    Honorary Member

    nugget Junior toady

    7,796
    71
    224
    Hi all, looking for a little help here. I have 2 users with relatively new lenovo x200s laptops. For a while now it seems that they have had a problem with the screensaver and power settings. After some time being idle, the laptop would go into standby mode as configured in the power settings. When waking up from standby the laptop would not get much further than the logon prompt, forcing a hard restart with the power button.

    I've then run the thinkvantage system update program and installed all the updates available. The BIOS was also updated which then promptly crashed the system on restart. After removing the CMOS backup battery for a while normally.

    I'd traced the standby part of the problem (at least others have had something very similar) to the ultrabase docking station which seems to have been fixed now with all the new updates. Testing standby and hibernate both in the docking station and out seems to work now (we'll see for how long).

    The other part of this problem is with the screensaver tab in the display properties. I thought it was just confined to the 2 users but I see now that it's the same on my system too, even using the administrator account. A few weeks ago I told everyone to set the screensavers to be active after 15 minutes and also to ask for the password. I know that at this point I was able to configure the options but now I can't and I have no idea what has changed.

    Has anyone had anything similar? Any and all help gratefully received.:cry:
     

    Attached Files:

    Certifications: A+ | Network+ | Security+ | MCP (270,271,272,290,620) | MCDST | MCTS:Vista
    WIP: MCSA, 70-622,680,685
  2. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

    3,020
    174
    155
    Are they part of a Domain, if so Group Policy?
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  3. nugget
    Honorary Member

    nugget Junior toady

    7,796
    71
    224
    They are in a domain but as far as I know no group policy is applied with such settings. I was able to change the settings on my laptop a few weeks ago but now I have the same problem, no access to the settings. As I am the only one here that knows what a GP is (and the one to change it) I know that I haven't made any changes to it at all.
     
    Certifications: A+ | Network+ | Security+ | MCP (270,271,272,290,620) | MCDST | MCTS:Vista
    WIP: MCSA, 70-622,680,685
  4. simongrahamuk
    Honorary Member

    simongrahamuk Hmmmmmmm?

    6,205
    136
    199
    Can you change the settings if you log on as either a local admin or a domain one? Do the users and your 'everyday' account have local admin rights?
     
  5. zebulebu

    zebulebu Terabyte Poster

    3,748
    330
    187
    What does gpresult say?
     
    Certifications: A few
    WIP: None - f*** 'em
  6. nugget
    Honorary Member

    nugget Junior toady

    7,796
    71
    224
    Si, local admins have access to the settings, domain admins and users don't.


    Not sure what you want to see zeb....:oops:

    RSOP results for ****\username on computername : Logging Mode
    ---------------------------------------------------------

    OS Type: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
    OS Configuration: Member Workstation
    OS Version: 5.1.2600
    Domain Name: domain name
    Domain Type: Windows 2000
    Site Name: Default-First-Site-Name
    Roaming Profile: \\dc\profiles$\username
    Local Profile: C:\Documents and Settings\username.domainname
    Connected over a slow link?: No


    COMPUTER SETTINGS
    ------------------
    CN=computername,OU=Computers,OU=****,DC=domainname,DC=local
    Last time Group Policy was applied: 8/19/2009 at 4:36:01 PM
    Group Policy was applied from: dc.domainname.local
    Group Policy slow link threshold: 500 kbps

    Applied Group Policy Objects
    -----------------------------
    Standard_Policy
    Default Domain Policy

    The following GPOs were not applied because they were filtered out
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    Local Group Policy
    Filtering: Not Applied (Empty)

    The computer is a part of the following security groups:
    --------------------------------------------------------
    BUILTIN\Administrators
    Everyone
    BUILTIN\Users
    NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK
    NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users
    computername$
    Domain Computers


    USER SETTINGS
    --------------
    CN=username,OU=Users,OU=****,DC=domainname,DC=local
    Last time Group Policy was applied: 8/19/2009 at 4:37:04 PM
    Group Policy was applied from: dc.domainname.local
    Group Policy slow link threshold: 500 kbps

    Applied Group Policy Objects
    -----------------------------
    Standard_Policy
    Default Domain Policy

    The following GPOs were not applied because they were filtered out
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    Local Group Policy
    Filtering: Not Applied (Empty)

    The user is a part of the following security groups:
    ----------------------------------------------------
    Domain Users
    Everyone
    BUILTIN\Administrators
    BUILTIN\Users
    NT AUTHORITY\INTERACTIVE
    NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users
    LOCAL
    ****
     
    Certifications: A+ | Network+ | Security+ | MCP (270,271,272,290,620) | MCDST | MCTS:Vista
    WIP: MCSA, 70-622,680,685
  7. simongrahamuk
    Honorary Member

    simongrahamuk Hmmmmmmm?

    6,205
    136
    199
    One way round this may be to change the local security policy on the pc's so that all users can change screen savers, not just local admins, however if you're going to do this then you may as well set policy from the domain and apply it from there.
     
  8. zebulebu

    zebulebu Terabyte Poster

    3,748
    330
    187
    Just wanted to check what GPOs were being applied - I preume you've checked the default domain and Standard_Policy ones?
     
    Certifications: A few
    WIP: None - f*** 'em
  9. zebulebu

    zebulebu Terabyte Poster

    3,748
    330
    187
    If you;re sure this isn't being applied via a GPO, then use Si's suggestion below - apply the GPO to a test OU, move a client into it that is experiencing the problem then run a gpupdate and see if that fixes it. If it does, apply the GPO to any OU you want.

    The reg key that controls the display of the screensaver tab is detailed on Kelly's Korner (tip # 51) - can you pull a machine out of the domain, then change that reg key on it?
     
    Certifications: A few
    WIP: None - f*** 'em
  10. nugget
    Honorary Member

    nugget Junior toady

    7,796
    71
    224
    Well, I found the culprit.

    Applied Group Policy Objects
    -----------------------------
    Standard_Policy
    Default Domain Policy

    It seems that this policy is applied to an OU with some computers in it but not to other OUs (don't ask me :rolleyes: I'm new here). As I am only allowed to do IT here 2 days a week there are still a lot of things I haven't seen yet.:cry:

    Thanks for the help guys.
     
    Certifications: A+ | Network+ | Security+ | MCP (270,271,272,290,620) | MCDST | MCTS:Vista
    WIP: MCSA, 70-622,680,685
  11. zebulebu

    zebulebu Terabyte Poster

    3,748
    330
    187
    There ya go - GPResult was useful after all! :)
     
    Certifications: A few
    WIP: None - f*** 'em
  12. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

    3,020
    174
    155
    The Group Policy culprit has been slain!
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  13. Jakamoko
    Honorary Member

    Jakamoko On the move again ...

    9,924
    74
    229
    <ahem> Excuses!! <ahem>
    :biggrin
     
    Certifications: MCP, A+, Network+
    WIP: Clarity
  14. nugget
    Honorary Member

    nugget Junior toady

    7,796
    71
    224
    Pull your head back in.:twisted:
     
    Certifications: A+ | Network+ | Security+ | MCP (270,271,272,290,620) | MCDST | MCTS:Vista
    WIP: MCSA, 70-622,680,685

Share This Page

Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.