Activate a Screen Saver Instantly

Activate a Screen Saver Instantly.

If you want to keep casual observers from seeing what you are working on when you step away from your computer, or you just want to enjoy your favourite screen savers without the wait, you can create a screen saver shortcut that allows you to activate a screen saver instantly.

Here's how to create a screensaver shortcut.

Part 1: Locate Screen Saver Files

1. Click "Start" and then click "Search" to open the "Search" window.

2. In the "Search Companion" area, click "All Files and folders".

3. Click the "More advanced options" arrow.

4. Ensure that there are ticks in the "Search system folders" and the "Search sub-folders" check boxes.

5. In the field labelled "All or part of the file name:" enter *.scr

6. In the drop-down list labelled "Look in:", choose the drive where system folders are likely to be stored (probably the "C" drive"). Your search should look like the screenshot shown below.

7. Click the "Search button" to begin searching for screensaver files.

8. When the search is completed, a list of available screen saver files should be displayed in the search window.

Part 2: Create a screensaver shortcut

1. Choose the screen saver you wish to use. You can double-click on a file to view a preview of the screen saver.

2. Right-click the chosen file and select "Send To" in the context menu.

3. In the "Send To" sub-menu, click "Desktop (create shortcut).

A shortcut icon for your chosen screen saver should now be displayed on the Windows XP desktop. Double-click on this icon any time you wish to activate your screensaver.

If you like, you can even create several screen saver shortcuts on the desktop so that you have a range of instant screen savers to choose from.


Notes:
You may be able to locate suitable screen saver files more quickly by using advanced search options or navigating directly to the files within Windows Explorer.

Activating an instant screen saver via a desktop shortcut will not change the default screen saver you have set in Display Properties. If you have not activated an instant screen saver via a shortcut, the default screen saver will still activate automatically after the amount of idle time specified in Display Properties.

Instant screen savers will not request a password on resume even if you have your normal screen saver configured to require a password in Display Properties.

Disable the Error Reporting

How to Disable the Error Reporting Feature in Windows XP

When an application crashes in Windows XP, you may receive a request to send an error report to Microsoft. These requests can become a little annoying. Also, error reports can sometimes include part of a document you were working on when the program crashed and you may feel that sending them compromises your privacy somewhat.

Mind you, sending error reports may actually help Microsoft to produce more stable software in the future. The decision to send error reports is up to the individual. You can decide to send reports on a case-by-case basis, or you can choose to disable the error reporting function completely.

To disable Error reporting:

1. Right-click the My Computer icon on the desktop or in the Start menu and select "Properties" to open the System Properties window.

2. Clicked the "Advanced" tab.

3. Click on the button labelled "Error Reporting" which is located at the bottom right of the System Properties window. The "Error Reporting" window should appear.

4. Select the item labelled "Disable error reporting". It is advisable to leave a tick in the check box that says "But notify me when critical errors occur".

5. Click "OK" to exit the "Error Reporting" window and then click "OK" again to exit System Properties.

You should not be asked to send error reports to Microsoft again, but you will still receive error messages that might help with troubleshooting.

To enable error reporting again at a later date, navigate to the "Error Reporting" window as described above and select "Enable error reporting".

Instantly Lock Your Computer

Instantly Lock Your Computer

Windows XP allows you to instantly "lock" your computer so that a password is required before the computer can be accessed. This simple security feature can keep others from viewing or using your files or programs while you are away from your computer.

To lock your computer, simply press the Windows Key + L. (On a standard computer keyboard, the Windows Keys can be found two keys to the left and right of the space bar, and can be identified by their "Flying Windows" logos.) Any files or programs you have open will be hidden and you will need to enter your User Account password in order to resume your computing session.

Of course, this security measure will only be effective if you have the computer configured to require a password when you logon. If you do not use a password to logon, then anybody will be able to "unlock" the computer. (Passwords can be set by accessing "User Accounts" via the Windows XP Control Panel).

Exactly how the lock function behaves depends on how logon and logoff options are set on your computer.

If "Fast User Switching" is enabled, pressing Windows Key + L will display the "Welcome" screen and other users of your computer will be able to logon to their own accounts.

If "Fast User Switching" is disabled, pressing Windows Key + L will obscure open files with the current desktop wallpaper and display a password dialogue box.

Fast User Switching can be enabled and disabled by accessing the User Accounts feature.