If Vista the keyboard and mouse actively sending information in can be interpreted as activity, thereby resetting the timer and preventing the screensaver from activating. The test is to disable the keyboard and mouse, such as removing the batteries, or replacing them with wired USB or PS/2 counterparts. Also, check the keyboard and mouse's manufacturer's website for updates to the software which may address this issue. It could be other things, such as your internet connection, but investigate the wireless peripherals first.
John
I'm running Windows Vista Ultimate, already loaded onto a brand new computer that I bought back in January. 2.4Ghz duo-core processor, 2 gigs of RAM.
This might be a simple matter (I hope). I have my screensaver set to come on after five minutes of inactivity. Unfortunately, the screen saver, 95% of the time, fails to come on at all. I only have it set to a picture slideshow, so it's nothing graphically demanding.
I have a wireless keyboard and mouse. . .does that have anything to do with it? In my little research on these forums prior to this post, I thought I saw something about the mouse/keyboard issue, and that there was a patch to download which fixes it....but nothing else ever came of that post. If it simply has to do with my power settings (I have it on balanced), then please let me know. Thanks!

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