Windows XP and power down monitor

[Four-Eyes]

I have Windows XP set to go to screen saver in 10 min. and then to power down the monitor in 20 min. This works fine with the Windows XP screensaver and others, but with Aquarium the monitor never powers down. Help! How do I fix this?

[Lightfeather]

If you press the space bar while the aquarium is running it should bring up options for you. Uncheck the 'disable monitor sleep mode' so that it doesn't disable the sleep mode ^_^

You only have this option with the full version of the Aquarium.

[Four-Eyes]

Thanks, but 'disable monitor sleep mode' isn't checked!

[trailkill]

I am having the same problem in Windows XP pro. I read in a previous post that Jim said this bug was fixed. But it seems some people are still having the problem. I have Windows XP Pro with a Geforce 3Ti200 with drivers 27.30 right now. Anyone's monitor sleep mode working and what drivers are you using?

Thanks
TK

[Garion]

Same problem here... beta 27.42 drivers. Windows XP Professional.

[Jim Sachs]

Some people still seem to be having this problem. We have no idea why, but are looking into it.

[trailkill]

Thanks Jim,
Here is some information about my system that may help.

Windows XP Pro
Leadtek Geforce3 ti200 drivers 23.12
MSI K7T266 Pro2 AMD Athlon 1800+


If you need anymore info or would like me to try anything just let me know. Be glad to help out.

Thanks again

Wayne

PS Super job I love it.

[mxyztplk]

There is a known Windows XP problem with "computer standby or hibernation" with screen savers that use Direct3D.

Microsoft's description does not seem to cover the MONITOR alone failing to power down. [Microsoft's description seems to relate only to the "system" or "computer" failing to enter standby or hibernation.] However, the problem is associated with the ACPI timer, which is used for the monitor as well. Therefore, there is at least the possibility that what you have is another symptom of this known problem.

See the following Microsoft support article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q306676

______________________________________________


The Computer Cannot Enter Standby or Hibernate If a Direct3D-Based Screen Saver Is Running (Q306676)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:


Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional

----------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
If the 3D Flowerbox, 3D Flying Objects, 3D Pipes, 3D Text, or another Direct3D-based screen saver is running in Windows XP, the computer may be unable to enter standby or hibernation by using the timer in Power Management properties.

Windows XP supports the ability to turn off the monitor or hard disks by using the Power Management timer with OpenGL (3D) screen savers running.

This issue is not video adapter-dependent.


RESOLUTION
A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing at a later time, to further ensure product quality. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/overview.asp

NOTE : In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. Normal support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
Date Time Version Size File name
--------------------------------------------------------
21-Feb-2002 02:48 5.1.2600.29 1,181,184 D3d8.dll
21-Feb-2002 02:49 5.1.2600.29 252,416 Ddraw.dll
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 321,536 Logon.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:50 5.1.2600.29 8,192 Scrnsave.scr
03-Nov-2001 00:50 5.1.2600.17 3,584 Spmsg.dll
29-Jan-2002 00:56 5.1.2600.28 39,936 Spuninst.exe
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 667,648 Ss3dfo.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:50 5.1.2600.29 18,944 Ssbezier.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 364,544 Ssflwbox.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 19,456 Ssmarque.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 17,408 Ssmyst.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 569,344 Sspipes.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 13,312 Ssstars.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 638,976 Sstext3d.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:46 5.1.2600.29 1,670,912 Win32k.sys
21-Feb-2002 18:54 5.1.2600.29 429,056 Winlogon.exe


WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, use any other screen saver so that the computer can enter standby or hibernate.


STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.


MORE INFORMATION
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) places the computer in standby only after the CPU has been idle for the specified period of time. When a 3D screen saver starts, the CPU is no longer idle, and the ACPI timer for standby is reset.

After applying the hotfix, the system will stop the 3D screen saver when monitor turns off. By doing so, the CPU of the system will be considered as idle so that the system can enter standby afterwards. You may see the following symptoms after installing the fix:

The Power Management timer for standby is reset after the monitor turns off.

When you preview 3D screen saver, the system will not go into the Standby mode directly. Instead, the system will wake up from Preview, and then go into Standby when it times out.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Published Mar 7 2002 9:53AM Issue Type kbbug
Last Modifed Apr 10 2002 12:37PM Additional Query Words
Keywords kbenv kbWinXPpreSP1fix

[Jim Sachs]

Though Mr. Mxyztplk is a known prankster from the fifth dimension, in this case everything he says is correct. We contacted Microsoft about this yesterday, and there is a fix available from them by phone (not online). However, the fix only seems to be designed for XP machines running DX8 screensavers. We are continuing to talk to them about this.

[trailkill]

Jim, do you mean by your last post that this hotfix will not work with Aquarium because it's not a DX8 screensaver?

Thanks
TK

[Jav400]

That sounds about right, Jim had problems with trying to gain help from Microsoft regarding their DX libraries. It seems that MS only wants to support the latest and greatest of their software. From Jim's point of view he wanted the most people possible to be able to run his screen saver. Not everyone has the latest software or Operating Systems etc. Fortunately for us, Jim was able to use DX6 and accomplish 95% of everything that he was told he would need DX8 to do. I know that I have seen posts regarding looking into changing to DX7 at this point, but I'm not sure how much that would help.

[feldon34]

To put Michael's point more bluntly, Microsoft could care less if Jim's screen saver runs on Windows 95, 98, or ME, even though ME is less than 3 years old.

They could fix the problem in a few minutes of programming but they won't.

[mxyztplk]

Actually, I think that Microsoft doesn't care very much about screensavers and standby or hibernate in general, even when it comes to their own screensavers.

For example, they posted a screensaver called "Bliss" as a Windows XP download.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...oads/bliss.asp

Unhappily, "Bliss" will blissfully ignore standby or hibernate, it would seem.

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...540tkmsftngp05

The module has no dependency on Direct3D, so this bug is apparently different from the Direct3D bug [although both may be part of a more general class of problems with screensavers and power management].

In any event, I'm confident that Microsoft will ultimately get to all of these, in the fullness of time. *cough*

For now, however, one might say that Microsoft has bigger fish to fry.

[mxyztplk]

The problem(s) first appeared in WinXP around the time of RC1, reportedly:

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...%40tkmsftngp04

[T.F.]

As expected installing the patch from MS mentioned above didn't help to solve this issue on my WinXp machine, either. The file list above indicates pretty obviously that Microsoft also made changes to their Direct3D screensavers, and *not* just to some dlls. Using D3d8.dll and Ddraw.dll from Win2k in WinXP didn't help any, either .. (you wrote Aquarium.scr with DX 6 code, so the D3d8.dll shouldn't have any effect, anyway).

Since we have no idea at all how long it will take MS to publish a hotfix for this power saving issue: wouldn't it be smart to *include* power saving options (monitor sleep, standbye, hibernate) right into the screensaver ? 'Cause right now Aquarium.scr adds to energy waste on many XP machines, which kinda - well - "sucks" .. .

I did a little bit of research on the web and found some interesting information and code about windows power saving, most of it in C++, so here are some links: 1 2 3 4 (edit: MS seems to have some problems right now with their server(s) - some patience might be required .. )

Also I found two programs which already make use of windows' power saving functions, here are the links to the author's websites: Instant Sleep (make your monitor sleep with one click), and Andrej Budja Shutdown.exe (computer stand-by and/ or hibernate via command line)
Maybe they are willing to share their knowledge, one way or the other?

Apart from that I just messed a bit in Visual Basic 6 and made an attempt to write a loader which loads both the screensaver AND and external power savings program like shutdown.exe - feel free to download and also edit it [esp. any VB coders more capable than me .. ]. I versioned it .8 beta because it does not really fullfill its purpose all the way, at least on my machine. You'll see once you test it:
Aquarium Loader .08 beta.zip (30 kb, compilation, install-routine + source code) .
(C++ would be the way to go, but I do not feel like getting into that right now :-\ )

[feldon34]

None of the EnergyStar features are attractive to me.

Hibernation would cause me to lose logs of what happens in the chatroom while it's down.

And my monitor doesn't recognize sleep.

I'll leave the sleep and hibernation stuff to laptops, which are designed for it. They are jury-rigged to work on desktops but don't do it well.

[T.F.]

I have been used to (and fond of) functioning power saving features from working on Macs. Ever since I installed Windows XP (+ all the "hotfixes" ?) I could again enjoy those working even on this Wintel PC. A 20'' monitor guzzles quite a bit of energy @ 120 Hz, and it's like getting back to stoneages having to manually switch it off once one leaves one's place. Having a (however beautiful) screensaver annihilate those achievements is pretty sad (which is directed towards MS not towards Jim).

But as always programmers often find themselves in a situation where they are confronted with other programmer's inattention.

[skypx]

Originally posted by mxyztplk
There is a known Windows XP problem with "computer standby or hibernation" with screen savers that use Direct3D.

Microsoft's description does not seem to cover the MONITOR alone failing to power down. [Microsoft's description seems to relate only to the "system" or "computer" failing to enter standby or hibernation.] However, the problem is associated with the ACPI timer, which is used for the monitor as well. Therefore, there is at least the possibility that what you have is another symptom of this known problem.

See the following Microsoft support article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q306676

______________________________________________


The Computer Cannot Enter Standby or Hibernate If a Direct3D-Based Screen Saver Is Running (Q306676)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:


Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional

----------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
If the 3D Flowerbox, 3D Flying Objects, 3D Pipes, 3D Text, or another Direct3D-based screen saver is running in Windows XP, the computer may be unable to enter standby or hibernation by using the timer in Power Management properties.

Windows XP supports the ability to turn off the monitor or hard disks by using the Power Management timer with OpenGL (3D) screen savers running.

This issue is not video adapter-dependent.


RESOLUTION
A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing at a later time, to further ensure product quality. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/overview.asp

NOTE : In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. Normal support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
Date Time Version Size File name
--------------------------------------------------------
21-Feb-2002 02:48 5.1.2600.29 1,181,184 D3d8.dll
21-Feb-2002 02:49 5.1.2600.29 252,416 Ddraw.dll
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 321,536 Logon.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:50 5.1.2600.29 8,192 Scrnsave.scr
03-Nov-2001 00:50 5.1.2600.17 3,584 Spmsg.dll
29-Jan-2002 00:56 5.1.2600.28 39,936 Spuninst.exe
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 667,648 Ss3dfo.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:50 5.1.2600.29 18,944 Ssbezier.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 364,544 Ssflwbox.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 19,456 Ssmarque.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 17,408 Ssmyst.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 569,344 Sspipes.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 13,312 Ssstars.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:51 5.1.2600.29 638,976 Sstext3d.scr
21-Feb-2002 02:46 5.1.2600.29 1,670,912 Win32k.sys
21-Feb-2002 18:54 5.1.2600.29 429,056 Winlogon.exe


WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, use any other screen saver so that the computer can enter standby or hibernate.


STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.


MORE INFORMATION
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) places the computer in standby only after the CPU has been idle for the specified period of time. When a 3D screen saver starts, the CPU is no longer idle, and the ACPI timer for standby is reset.

After applying the hotfix, the system will stop the 3D screen saver when monitor turns off. By doing so, the CPU of the system will be considered as idle so that the system can enter standby afterwards. You may see the following symptoms after installing the fix:

The Power Management timer for standby is reset after the monitor turns off.

When you preview 3D screen saver, the system will not go into the Standby mode directly. Instead, the system will wake up from Preview, and then go into Standby when it times out.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Published Mar 7 2002 9:53AM Issue Type kbbug
Last Modifed Apr 10 2002 12:37PM Additional Query Words
Keywords kbenv kbWinXPpreSP1fix

I am amazed this problem still exists with the release of SR2. Oh well, I'll install the patch and hope it will work.