XP Screen Saver Freezes Computer

My computer is running XP Home SP3. I ahve AVG free on it. I've run spyware scans using malware bytes.

My trouble is that as soon as my screensaver comes on, the whole system freezes and nothing will make it start responding again other than holding the power button for 5 secs to reboot the thing. If try to switch off the screen saver (desktop>properties>screen saver) it lets you change to none, but click on Apply and OK and although it says the ss is off, it's still on for 20 mins when you go back in and check.

I've tried the same in safe mode (ie turning the ss off, but the same thing - it lets you turn it off but when you go back in and check, it's still set for 20 mins.

The computer seems to work just fine uintiol the ss kicks in. I can't find any virus and spoyware scans through nothing well - as long as the scans can work until the ss kicks in!

Does anyone have any thoughts about what thois migth be or what I might be able to do to get rid of the ss. If I need to reformat I will, but I cna't help thinking there must be another way.

Many thanks for all help

is it the screen save locking up - or is power saving? From the screen saver settings, there should be an option to head into power saving options

There is nothing that is kicking in when screen saver activates? e.g. virus scan

If it is related to screen saver kicking in - it might be a video driver issue

Turning off ss should work. When you set it to "None" the time will still be shown but it greyed out.

It may be a missing software issue. On my work laptop I get a "Missing macromedia flash" message when ss kicks in - I assume as the custom ss needs this and it is not installed (Great Corporate setup!!!).

Have you tried just using a standard Windows SS?

On my laptop I have standard Windows XP ss and ticked box to require password to open when it kicks in. This works fine.

Edited by Nick_Russell (Fri 07-Aug-09 10:28:46)