Installed screensavers don't show in the Screensavers' list

[alegator]

I have ths issue: when installing a screensaver, it will install creating the corresponding icons, program group, etc, and even able to be executed, but it will not show in the Screensaver's list of the Display Properties window. I already have many screensavers in that list, but newly installed screensavers won't be added to the list. Any idea how to fix this? Thanks.

[Nelson37]

Screensavers are number one on my list of programs to avoid. The reason is they are very easy to create, such that any idiot can do it, and many do.

My standing policy when working on a PC with a problem is to immediately remove all aftermarket screensavers, one of very few changes I will make without even consulting the customer. I offer to put the program back on later, if the removal does not solve the problem.

The only time I have ever been asked to do this was a case where it was proven beyond doubt that the screensaver was locking up the PC, but the customer liked it so much he chose to live with the lockups. This was an elected official and the PC service was paid for by taxpayer dollars.

[alegator]

Nelson37, the screensavers are not creating any conflicts whatsoever with my system. Additionally, as said, they are all working fine except that as mentioned newly installed screensavers no longer appear in the Screensaver's list of Display Properties. All of them are from reputable software companies.

[TBoneit]

Well you still want to be careful with screensavers, they are a favorite way of distributing Malware.

[alegator]

TBoneit, yes, I'm aware of that, and everytime I install not a screensaver, but any kind of software I manually full scan my system for malware with at least 3 of the top antispyware products.

[Ai Haibara]

Are you sure they're 'true' Windows screensavers (with the extension .scr)? I have to admit I don't know whether or not XP still stores screensavers in \windows\system, or maybe \windows\, but - if you know the screensavers' actual filenames, do they show up in the same directory as all the rest of the screensavers on the system?

[Bjs]

To show in screen saver list it should be installed into windows dir or system32 folder (default) , locate and copy it there .

Thats providing they are genuine screen savers , and not exe's .

[alegator]

Yes, they are TRUE Windows screensavers with the ".scr" extension.Some *.scr files are in the \Windows directory but most of them are in the \Windows\Sytem32 directory. So you suggest to copy all of the SCR files in the \Windows dir to the \Windows\System32 dir?

[CrayonEater]

but any kind of software I manually full scan my system for malware with at least 3 of the top antispyware products.

Not to harp on this, but allow me to clarify something: A good A/V program (read: NOT Norton!) will usually fare better than dedicated anti-spyware products against brand-new threats. If you manually scan after installation then you're too late. It's best to research what you are downloading first, who wrote the program and where it came from, etc., then scan the downloaded files with A/V and A/S software before running them.

[alegator]

but any kind of software I manually full scan my system for malware with at least 3 of the top antispyware products.

Not to harp on this, but allow me to clarify something: A good A/V program (read: NOT Norton!) will usually fare better than dedicated anti-spyware products against brand-new threats. If you manually scan after installation then you're too late. It's best to research what you are downloading first, who wrote the program and where it came from, etc., then scan the downloaded files with A/V and A/S software before running them.

Yes, I manually scan both BEFORE and AFTER, both with antispyware and antivirus products. I didn't mean to be so detailed in my answer to this as it's not the issue of my original post.

[JimboS]

Screensavers use a lot more CPU than you think...
Best REAL screensaver is BLANK..........
After that the best one is to turn off the monitor..
MY OPINION......

[JimboS]

Besides, screen saver's are one of those "cutsie" things that have 0 purpose other than using your CPU during "idle".........
Don't waste your CPU or your hard drive using them....

Do you know your hard drive and CPU are "working" during so called screen saver's??
WHY.????????
Is it worth it to overload the CPU and harddrive just to watch fish go by??????? Or whatever..........

[Weapon]

Store the .SCR files in the C:\windows\system32 folder and they will show up.

[alegator]

Screensavers use a lot more CPU than you think...
Best REAL screensaver is BLANK..........
After that the best one is to turn off the monitor..
MY OPINION......

I never use screensavers, I always turn off my monitor when the PC is not in use, as well as the speakers. I install the screensavers only to manually turn them on whenever I want to watch them.

[alegator]

Store the .SCR files in the C:\windows\system32 folder and they will show up.

I'll try that, but if I do so, will the installed screensaver recognize the SCR? I assume that if the proggie installed it in the \Windows dir in the first place, it won't 'know" it's in the \windows\system32 folder?

[Nelson37]

From your description, they are NOT "working fine". If the SCR file is present, there should be no executable program required. The fewer programs running, the better off you are.

If you have that many screensavers, the odds are quite good one or more is indeed causing problems.

The "flying toasters" screensaver from AfterDark was created by a "reputable company". This is probably before your time, but it was godawful software which caused a massive number of problems. Company policy was Immediate Removal of this crap, Shoot on Sight and Shoot to Kill, no consultation with customer, remove it, delete ALL associated files, destroy the disk, stomp on the pieces, burn it, and bury the ashes. Then rant and rave at any and all present to make sure there was absolutely no question in anyone's mind that this and similar POS crap does them No Good Whatsoever, and a lot of harm.

We did not like this software.

If you wish to tow a boat anchor with your Ferrari, that is your choice but it is quite simply a bad, bad, bad idea.