VB Forum / Win API / October 2003

Here's one way... keep in mind that it's up to the user to setup a screensaver. I have
none so the code would fail.

Loading the Windows Screensaver from your VB Application
http://abstractvb.com/code/code826.asp

net that use SendMessge but they don't seem to work.  I would really apprecate any help
you can give.

I would not recommend it unless the sole purpose of your app is to run
the SS immediatley. Otherwise users are likely to find that sort of
behavior very disconcerting. Consider the case where the user is
working in Word or some other app and your app is running in the
background: the SS suddenly activates for no apparent reason. If your
app displays sensitive data that shouldn't be left on the screen for
anyone passing by to view, it would be better to hide or close your
app after 3 min rather than munging about with system-wide user
settings.

Anyhow, if you must...

Dim hwnd As Long
hwnd = GetForegroundWindow()
If hwnd = 0& Then
    hwnd = GetDesktopWindow()
End If
SystemParametersInfo SPI_SETSCREENSAVEACTIVE, 1&, ByVal 0&, _
        SPIF_UPDATEINIFILE Or SPIF_SENDWININICHANGE
PostMessage hwnd, WM_SYSCOMMAND, SC_SCREENSAVE, ByVal 0&

-Tom
MVP - Visual Basic
(please post replies to the newsgroup)

Hi,

I think... You should have a look at this link :
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/s
upport/kb/articles/Q141/0/24.asp&NoWebContent=1

maybe, it will help you to start the "windows screen saver"... And, to
start the screen saver after 3 mn of no activity... try with a timer
(3000 ms) and count every timer_OnTimer() event, til you have 3mns (or
more!!!)

Nice coding, nice computing ;o)
Laurent