Screen Saver Question

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  1. Posts : 3,505
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #11

    I don't believe it! You were right. In preview you can see the screensaver as it should, but when time comes to automatically launch it removes the wallpaper and uses a solid color as background. The funny thing is that you cannot adjust any settings from Windows (message that this screensaver has no settings you can adjust) and Screensaver Tweaker has no effect on that! This must be a bug on Windows 8.1 and 10. Yes, I just checked, the same is true in Windows 8.1. As far as I know there is some difference in the way DirectDraw and Direct3D are implemented in Windows 8.1 and 10 from that of Windows 7. Here must be the cause of the bug because this screensaver was introduced in Vista and included in newer Windows versions without modifications. Sorry, I cannot suggest any solution. If Screensaver Tweaker cannot make it work, no other utility probably will as it modifies the same registry keys. I suggest to leave this screensaver alone and use a nicer one, such as Marine Aquarium screensaver.

    I rest my case...
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  2. Posts : 304
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Thanks spapakons
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  3. Posts : 3,505
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #13

    Well I don't like bugs, so I did a little Google search about the issue. I was shocked to read in a Microsoft tech forum that this is not a bug! Microsoft deliberately disabled screensavers drawing over desktop in Windows 8 and 10 because they had problem doing that right in Metro interface (the one with the tiles instead of old desktop)! I also found a solution: You can download a utility such as Watch 4 Idle which can be set to trigger an action when the computer is idle for a set interval in seconds. This can be to make it sleep or shutdown or restart, or execute a program. The last one is what we need. A screensaver is just a Windows program with SCR extension instead of EXE. So we can make Watch 4 Idle execute the Bubbles screensaver after a set number of seconds the computer is idle! Doing that is like pressing the preview button, so the screensaver will run as in Windows 7, that is over our currently open windows, and not in a solid colored background! Yes, I tested it! It works!

    Screen Saver Question-configure-watch-idel-start-bubbles-screensaver.jpg

    First we must disable the Windows screensaver, so there is no conflict with Watch 4 Idle when used to start the screensaver. To do that, click on the search icon and type screen. Click on Change screen saver. Make that to none, so screensaver is not activated by Windows. Then run Watch 4 Idle and check the Execute a program or batch box. Now click on the folder icon to browse for that program. By default will only display EXE and BAT files. So we much select All files *.* to display every file type. Now we browse to C:\Windows\System32 (folder System32 in folder Windows in hard disk C) and select the file Bubbles.scr (the extension may be hidden) and press OK to confirm. After doing that correctly, the program should look like the screenshot above. Set the desired time in seconds at the top. Click on the Start button to activate it. Check the Auto start on computer startup box to load every time you load Windows. Click on the Tray button to minimize program at system tray.

    That's it! After the computer is idle for the specified interval the Bubbles screensaver will load automatically, but this time it will work as it should!

    Glad to help!

    PS: Back in the days of Windows 3.1 (early '90s) there was no native screensaver support in the operating system. We would install third party programs that displayed a screensaver (usually pictures) after a set interval. When I read about the workaround using Watch 4 Idle, I remembered just that! Because of Microsoft's stupid "design changes" (they don't dare call them bugs) we have to return over 20 years back in terms of how a screensaver works! Welcome back to the future!
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  4. Posts : 304
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #14

    Thanks for all the info spapakons, looks like a handy program to have.
    Z
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
       #15

    How do I convert a series of photos to a .scr file?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,505
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #16

    jbacinti said:
    How do I convert a series of photos to a .scr file?
    You don't need to do that. Just use the Photos screensaver. If you want to create your own screensaver there are several applications. In the past (Windows XP) I used Axialis screensaver producer. Haven't seen the new version, but then I could create a screensaver from a series of pictures or a Flash file, or even a video file.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1
    windows 10
       #17

    spapakons said:
    Well I don't like bugs, so I did a little Google search about the issue. I was shocked to read in a Microsoft tech forum that this is not a bug! Microsoft deliberately disabled screensavers drawing over desktop in Windows 8 and 10 because they had problem doing that right in Metro interface (the one with the tiles instead of old desktop)! I also found a solution: You can download a utility such as Watch 4 Idle which can be set to trigger an action when the computer is idle for a set interval in seconds. This can be to make it sleep or shutdown or restart, or execute a program. The last one is what we need. A screensaver is just a Windows program with SCR extension instead of EXE. So we can make Watch 4 Idle execute the Bubbles screensaver after a set number of seconds the computer is idle! Doing that is like pressing the preview button, so the screensaver will run as in Windows 7, that is over our currently open windows, and not in a solid colored background! Yes, I tested it! It works!

    Screen Saver Question-configure-watch-idel-start-bubbles-screensaver.jpg

    First we must disable the Windows screensaver, so there is no conflict with Watch 4 Idle when used to start the screensaver. To do that, click on the search icon and type screen. Click on Change screen saver. Make that to none, so screensaver is not activated by Windows. Then run Watch 4 Idle and check the Execute a program or batch box. Now click on the folder icon to browse for that program. By default will only display EXE and BAT files. So we much select All files *.* to display every file type. Now we browse to C:\Windows\System32 (folder System32 in folder Windows in hard disk C) and select the file Bubbles.scr (the extension may be hidden) and press OK to confirm. After doing that correctly, the program should look like the screenshot above. Set the desired time in seconds at the top. Click on the Start button to activate it. Check the Auto start on computer startup box to load every time you load Windows. Click on the Tray button to minimize program at system tray.

    That's it! After the computer is idle for the specified interval the Bubbles screensaver will load automatically, but this time it will work as it should!

    Glad to help!

    PS: Back in the days of Windows 3.1 (early '90s) there was no native screensaver support in the operating system. We would install third party programs that displayed a screensaver (usually pictures) after a set interval. When I read about the workaround using Watch 4 Idle, I remembered just that! Because of Microsoft's stupid "design changes" (they don't dare call them bugs) we have to return over 20 years back in terms of how a screensaver works! Welcome back to the future!
    works great in windows 10
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
       #18

    spapakons said:
    You don't need to do that. Just use the Photos screensaver. If you want to create your own screensaver there are several applications. In the past (Windows XP) I used Axialis screensaver producer. Haven't seen the new version, but then I could create a screensaver from a series of pictures or a Flash file, or even a video file.

    I'll try your suggestion. Funny though, the default screen saver selecting the "Photos" option works as advertised on another almost identical PC.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #19

    While there are ways to work around the solid background in order to use transparent screensavers in Windows 10, which I managed to locate on one particular IT professionals site, it still failed to work on my Dell Desktop. As such, having worked with computers for many years including having done computer operations I chose a very simple method, which was to simply copy and paste the little Microsoft "Bubbles" icon from my Windows system 32 files and place it on the bottom right hand corner of my desktop. At that point, all one needs to do is simply click on the icon and you'll have your transparent background. Set your screensaver setting to "None" and then just click the icon on your desktop. I have about a half dozen transparent screensavers that I have neatly lined up in this area of my desktop and it's that simple. Hope this helps for those who enjoy their transparent screensavers as much as I do. Note: I did switch my mouse back to a USB mouse, since using my wireless mouse would wear down the battery, but no big deal and it works fine. This won't harm your operating system in any way because all you've done is copy and paste it to your desktop allowing these types of screensavers to perform transparently in Windows 10.
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  10. Posts : 279
    21H1 (OS Build 19043.1081)
       #20

    Just curious i work on a ship, could the Bubbles follow the movement of the rocking of the ship with the built in accelloromiter of the tablet that would be wild
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