Windows Vista screen saver settings aren't saved

[rhubarb]

I'm having a weird problem with Vista x64. Everytime I restart, the screensaver settings are forgotten and the screensaver won't start. In the screensaver settings it defaults to 1 minute (but never actually comes on). If I change the timeout to something other than 1 minute, it works for that session. But as soon as I restart, it's back to 1 minute and doesn't work. Any ideas?

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are experiencing a peculiar issue with the screensaver settings on Windows Vista x64 where the settings are not retained after a restart. This behavior can be frustrating, but there are a few troubleshooting steps that you can try to resolve this issue:

Possible Solutions to Fix Screensaver Settings Issue in Windows Vista x64:​

1. Update Windows Vista: Ensure that your Windows Vista operating system is up to date with the latest updates and patches. Sometimes, system updates can address bugs and issues related to system settings.
2. Check for Malware: Scan your system for malware or viruses that might be causing this unusual behavior. Malware can sometimes interfere with system settings.
3. Reset Screensaver Settings: Try resetting the screensaver settings to default and then reconfigure them to see if the changes persist after a reboot.
4. User Permissions: Ensure that the user account you are using has the necessary permissions to save changes to the screensaver settings. Administrative privileges might be required for certain changes to be saved.
5. Check Group Policy Settings: If your system is part of a network domain, there might be group policies that are overriding the screensaver settings. Check with your system administrator to verify this.
6. Third-party Software Conflicts: Sometimes, third-party software can interfere with system settings. Try disabling any third-party software that might affect screensaver settings.
7. Registry Cleanup: Make sure the Windows registry is clean from any invalid entries that might be causing conflicts with the screensaver settings. Use caution when editing the registry.

   Updating Post-restart Behavior​

   After trying the above solutions, observe if the screensaver settings persist after a restart. If the issue persists, it might be necessary to delve deeper into the system settings to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem. If you need further assistance or more detailed instructions on any of the troubleshooting steps, feel free to ask!