Preventing security lockout on idle computer

[Sypher2]

One of our computers runs an application which shows current productivity and condition of the facility. The application has very large numbers so the staff can do other work and still view it from a distance.

The problem is after about 15 minutes of idle (no keystrokes or mouse moves from a user) the computer locks out and goes back to the Windows logon prompt (hit ctrl-alt-del to logon and asks for user name/password).

I would like to programmatically prevent this from happening. I've tried moving the mouse cursor a pixel each minute. I've tried sending a couple of caps locks thru Sendkeys. I've tried intercepting the WM_SYSCOMMAND message and looking for the SC_SCREENSAVE parameter and changing it.

None of this works. Is there a registry entry or some other way to prevent Windows from locking out after a certain idle time?

 

[chiph]

Get the IT people to remove the screensaver.

Chip H.


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If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[Sypher2]

It's not actually the screensaver that's doing it. We tried turning off the screensaver, but didn't help.

 

[chiph]

Then there's been some software added to cause it to do this, as this isn't default behavior for Windows.

Hmmm, have IT check the group policy for that machine, and any groups that the signed-on user might belong to.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[ThatRickGuy]

I agree with Chip, this is just a security option. Get one of your network guys to turn off the inactivity lock out.

If they refuse (an understandable position) you can probrably get away with a background app that watches for mouse movement, and if 14 minutes goes by w/o mouse movement, have it move the mouse a few pixels. I would suggest only having it do this during standard working hours and limiting access to the physical machine (iow, this is a security hack, do so with caution.)

-Rick

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http://www.ringdev.com

 

[chrissie1]

You can also have this when the computer goes into standby so look there.

or try this but you have to read the complete page.

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Security/Q_20737306.html

Christiaan Baes
Belgium

If you want to get an answer read this FAQ faq796-2540
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