Logoff Screen Saver Does Not Function in Windows NT

ID: Q156677

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

If you are logged on to a server or workstation without administrative rights, the logoff screen saver included in the Windows NT 3.51 and 4.0 Resource Kits does not function properly.

You will also get the following error messages when attempting to use the utility without administrative rights:

Error encountered while creating registry key. Make sure you have set values and create subkey permissions.


RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

In order for non-administrators to be able to use WINEXIT, you must add Set Value and Create Subkey permissions for the group Everyone on the following registry key:

HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
To do this, use the following steps:

NOTE: You must be logged on with administrative rights to make these changes.
  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).


  2. Open the following key:
    HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion


  3. On the Security menu, click Permissions.


  4. In the Name box, click Everyone, and then click Special Access in the Type of Access box.


  5. Click to select the Set Value and Create Subkey check boxes.


  6. Click OK, and then click OK.


  7. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.



MORE INFORMATION

WINEXIT is a screen saver that logs the current user off after the specified time has elapsed. In other respects, it is similar to other screen savers and can be configured and tested on the Screen Saver tab of the Display Properties dialog box in Control Panel.

WINEXIT displays a dialog box in which it displays the countdown timer and a user-defined message. When the countdown timer reaches zero, the log off process is initiated.

To install Winexit.scr before configuring:

  1. Install the Windows NT Resource Kit on the workstation.


  2. Locate the Winexit.scr file in the NTreskit folder.


  3. Right-click the Winexit.scr file, and then click Install.


To activate WINEXIT, perform the following steps:
  1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel, then double-click the Display icon.


  2. On the Screen Saver tab, select Windows Exit from the Screen Saver list.


  3. In the Wait box, select the number of minutes of inactivity before the screen saver appears.


  4. To configure the screen saver, click Settings. In the Force Logoff box, select the Force Application Termination checkbox to have the system close all running applications regardless of their current state.

    By default, this checkbox is not selected and the system queries applications to see if work needs to be saved before forcing the application to quit. Use this setting with caution because applications with unsaved data will not have a chance to save their work.


  5. In the Time To Log Off box, type the time WinExit will display its logoff dialog box before proceeding with the log off process. Type a value between 0 and 999 seconds.


  6. In the Logoff Message box, type a message to display in the logoff dialog box. The message is limited to 255 characters and will be truncated if extra characters are typed.


  7. To start the screen saver temporarily, click the Preview button. To return to Windows, move your mouse.

    NOTE: You can now test Windows Exit screen saver by clicking Preview on the Screen Saver tab without WINEXIT attempting to log you off.


When activated, WINEXIT beeps, indicating that the logoff process is about to begin, and displays the logoff dialog box. If no action is taken and the countdown timer reaches zero, the system will initiate the log off procedure. You can abort the process before the countdown timer reaches zero by either moving the mouse pointer over the dialog box or pressing any key on the keyboard.


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51 & 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: winexit.scr

Keywords : kbsetup kbtool kbbug4.00 kbbug3.51 ntreskit NTSrvWkst
Version : winnt:3.51,4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type :


Last Reviewed: March 24, 1999
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