In Windows XP there is a registry setting called ScreenSaverGracePeriod
which lets you set a time period between the activation of the screensaver and locking of the screen.
As as result, as soon as you see the screensaver being activated, you have X seconds to press a key or move the mouse in order to avoid having to log in again.
Unfortunately, this setting isn't working on my machine. I tried everything I could find on the net (setting the period as string or number), but it still does not work.
Could it be that some kind of security suite (Symantec) or anything else is blocking this feature?
PS: my problem isn't that the time period is wrong, but that there isn't a noticeable time period between the screensaver and locking the screen at all; it's not possible to avoid the locking of the screen.
Cheers, Ralf
Thanx for all your answers and help!
There wasn't enough time to solve the problem with your input (communication with our admins sin't too fast) within the period of the bounty. So I had to select one of your answers to be the final one. I've selcted Hugh's answer because I think he's spent most effort to help me.
I'll keep you updated!
Ralf