Screensaver and blanker quit working (Win 7)

[Mallomar]

Bought this computer a year ago with 64-bit Win7 installed. I set it up so the "bubbles" screensaver would kick in after a few minutes, and the screen would go blank in 10 minutes.

Worked until last week. Now, even after fiddling with the settings, turning the screen saver and "blank" functions off altogether and then re-enabling them, I can't get either function to work.

Nothing's changed that I know of -- I haven't run any Windows updates in months. (I probably should, but that's a separate issue.)

FWIW, I'm using the same LCD monitor I've had for years. And I did try a cold boot to see if that would clear Win 7's mind.

Any suggestions for getting the screen saver and -- more important -- the screen blanking function to work again would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[ViRGE]

Honestly I'd start with a good patch & virus scan. The fact that your computer won't properly idle is a telltale sign of malware. Which isn't to say that Windows doesn't manage to botch things on occasion...

 

[Saithegeek]

Honestly I'd start with a good patch & virus scan. The fact that your computer won't properly idle is a telltale sign of malware. Whihc isn't to say that Windows doesn't manage to botch things on occasion...

I second this. Use Malwarebytes Anti-malware.