SereneScreen and OS X Catalina v10.15

scotts · 10-08-2019, 07:52 PM

Oh, here we go again. The 3.3 beta update that fixed SereneScreen in Mojave is now nonfunctional again in Catalina. Just as in Mojave, it can be started as an App but it will not trigger as a screen saver. Hopefully, the same fix can be applied to support Catalina v10.15.

Jim Sachs · 10-11-2019, 01:56 AM

Yep, they've done it again.

philosopher · 10-16-2019, 07:02 AM

I too thought the screen saver was broken again with Catalina.

But, I'm happy to report that it's much simpler than that! The Catalina install has somehow removed the software key.

Just go to Settings -> Desktop & Screen Saver -> [Screen Saver Tab] -> Marine Aquarium 3 and click the "Screen Saver Options" button.

Enter your serial number and it works again!

Jim Sachs · 10-16-2019, 10:17 PM

Wow - thanks for the info!

scotts · 10-20-2019, 09:09 PM

Yep, that fixed it for me too. Good find!

Jim Sachs · 02-12-2020, 10:14 PM

Hey Mac users -- I've got a lady on the website trying to install the latest version of MA on a Mac. I'm not familiar with Mac at all. Is there anything very different from installing on a PC (download the file and run it)?

feldon34 · 02-13-2020, 11:05 AM

Mac software usually downloads as a Disk Image (DMG) file which you just open like a hard drive and run.

Jim Sachs · 02-14-2020, 09:57 PM

Thanks, Morgan, I'll pass it on.

Helena · 04-11-2020, 09:26 AM

I am here because I have a somehow unusual problem. (First please excuse my english, it is not my mother tongue).

I am using right now 2 iMacs (HomeOffice...), one is an older one from late 2013, now updated to Catalina. And after re-entering the registration code, it works again.

My brand new second iMac, arrived with already pre-installed Catalina, I cannot make SereneScreen running. I enter the registration code but the code is not being saved and the screensaver is also not working, not even in demo mode. The program itself is working, but I would like to use it as a normal screen saver.

Do I have to buy another registration code? In the past I was able to use the same code on my office Mac (which is now at home here) and on my private Mac as well...

Maybe it is still a Catalina problem and my brand new iMac has another hardware of course. I am hoping this can be solved, I miss the fishies

Jim Sachs · 04-11-2020, 10:00 AM

Helena - There are a few reports of problems with Catalina. There was also a problem with Mojave, but Apple fixed it on their end. You do not have to buy another Key Code -- you are allowed to use the same code on all your Macs. Jim O'Connor is looking into the problem, and thinking of doing a complete re-write of the Apple versions.

StevenMR · 05-21-2021, 05:07 PM

I'm running MA 3.3b1 on a Catalina-based Mac. It works fine as a stand-alone app and as a screensaver. The only problem I'm having is that sometimes (not always) the Crystal clock is exactly one hour behind the system clock. Other times it's right on. Anybody have that experience and if so, did you resolve it?

Filipp77 · 08-06-2021, 06:50 AM

I have the last os version and everything works right
I am living in the property in Portugal here so the internet connection is quite good

Jim Sachs · 08-06-2021, 02:38 PM

Glad to hear it's working with Catalina. No idea about the time thing.

10-08-2019, 07:52 PM	#1
scotts Registered Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 4	SereneScreen and OS X Catalina v10.15 Oh, here we go again. The 3.3 beta update that fixed SereneScreen in Mojave is now nonfunctional again in Catalina. Just as in Mojave, it can be started as an App but it will not trigger as a screen saver. Hopefully, the same fix can be applied to support Catalina v10.15.

10-11-2019, 01:56 AM	#2
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,787	Yep, they've done it again. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

10-16-2019, 07:02 AM	#3
philosopher Registered Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 86	It's Not as Bad as Last Time! I too thought the screen saver was broken again with Catalina. But, I'm happy to report that it's much simpler than that! The Catalina install has somehow removed the software key. Just go to Settings -> Desktop & Screen Saver -> [Screen Saver Tab] -> Marine Aquarium 3 and click the "Screen Saver Options" button. Enter your serial number and it works again! Sincerely, S. Justin Gengo "Out of chaos comes order." Nietzsche

10-16-2019, 10:17 PM	#4
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,787	Wow - thanks for the info! Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-12-2020, 10:14 PM	#6
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,787	Hey Mac users -- I've got a lady on the website trying to install the latest version of MA on a Mac. I'm not familiar with Mac at all. Is there anything very different from installing on a PC (download the file and run it)? Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

10-20-2019, 09:09 PM	#5
scotts Registered Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 4	Yep, that fixed it for me too. Good find!

02-13-2020, 11:05 AM	#7
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	Mac software usually downloads as a Disk Image (DMG) file which you just open like a hard drive and run. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

02-14-2020, 09:57 PM	#8
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,787	Thanks, Morgan, I'll pass it on. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

04-11-2020, 09:26 AM	#9
Helena Swiss made Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Zurich, Switzerland Posts: 8	I am here because I have a somehow unusual problem. (First please excuse my english, it is not my mother tongue). I am using right now 2 iMacs (HomeOffice...), one is an older one from late 2013, now updated to Catalina. And after re-entering the registration code, it works again. My brand new second iMac, arrived with already pre-installed Catalina, I cannot make SereneScreen running. I enter the registration code but the code is not being saved and the screensaver is also not working, not even in demo mode. The program itself is working, but I would like to use it as a normal screen saver. Do I have to buy another registration code? In the past I was able to use the same code on my office Mac (which is now at home here) and on my private Mac as well... Maybe it is still a Catalina problem and my brand new iMac has another hardware of course. I am hoping this can be solved, I miss the fishies

04-11-2020, 10:00 AM	#10
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,787	Helena - There are a few reports of problems with Catalina. There was also a problem with Mojave, but Apple fixed it on their end. You do not have to buy another Key Code -- you are allowed to use the same code on all your Macs. Jim O'Connor is looking into the problem, and thinking of doing a complete re-write of the Apple versions. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

05-21-2021, 05:07 PM	#11
StevenMR Registered Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 2	MA 3.3b1 on Mac - Clock erratic I'm running MA 3.3b1 on a Catalina-based Mac. It works fine as a stand-alone app and as a screensaver. The only problem I'm having is that sometimes (not always) the Crystal clock is exactly one hour behind the system clock. Other times it's right on. Anybody have that experience and if so, did you resolve it?

08-06-2021, 06:50 AM	#12
Filipp77 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 1	I have the last os version and everything works right I am living in the property in Portugal here so the internet connection is quite good Last edited by Filipp77; 08-18-2021 at 11:29 AM.

08-06-2021, 02:38 PM	#13
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,787	Glad to hear it's working with Catalina. No idea about the time thing. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium