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Resolved Question

Do you have to use a screensaver?

Aug 23, 2011 10:05AM PDT

I use Vista Windows. Lately my screensaver have been freezing and I have to restart the computer. I have been reading about this problem and a possiable cause could be over heating. Well it has been very hot here in Texas. Question do you have to use the screensaver? I alway thought you did if you leave your computer on for any lenght of time. What harm would it cause it you did not use a screensaver?

Lue

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Best Answer

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Good clue.
Aug 23, 2011 10:29AM PDT

If you watch the CPU use it usually goes to 100% when the screensaver kicks in. While it's a sign it's time to check up on the machine's health many can't do that. Tip? Watch http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11319_7-6240575-1.html

Why not set it to none or BLANK SCREEN or even better, Video OFF?
Bob

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Do you have to use a screensaver?
Aug 23, 2011 2:31PM PDT

Thanks guys, Always appreciate it!

Bob I will clean those dust bunnies too! Happy

Lue

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Use your unused computer-time
Sep 8, 2011 2:13AM PDT

Instead of a standard screensaver, you can help Berkley and others with distributed computing. When the computyer is idle and the screen saver kicks in, you can help search for cancer cures, for instance.

http://boinc.berkeley.edu/

My screen saver is set to search for inteligent life in the universe. So far, I have not been detected as inteligent life.

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Answer
No
Aug 23, 2011 10:28AM PDT

No, screensavers are largely a legacy program. Once upon a time they were necessary to avoid screen burn in, but that really hasn't been the case for 20+ years. Now they're more of an art form and maybe privacy protector more than anything. They are in no way necessary, and plenty of people just opt for a simple blank screen screensaver, or just having the display go to sleep.

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Answer
Yes
Aug 25, 2011 12:30PM PDT

I thought that using a screen saver may keep my computer from the O-zone. There are a lot of screensavers that can be installed and which offer a wide variety of entertainment to the user.