XP Home Screen Saver won't work

Does the screen saver function when you click on preview?

If so, the problem is not the screen saver itself.

I suspect that something is keeping the PC "active" so that Windows thinks it is in use, and thus will not switch to screen saver mode.

This could be a dirty mouse, rouge program, network traffic, or numerous other issues.

Try shutting down tray and background programs one at a time. If you find one that suddenly allows the screen saver to function, then you have the culprit.

If the screen saver doesn't run from preview, then, I suspect a video configuration problem.

Make sure that your video card is on the list of XP supported hardware.

Chas

Since it works in preview, some process is causing the system to think it is in use, and thus will reset the countdown timer for the screen saver.

Try the following to track down the source.
(NOTE: these tools are on XP Pro, I don't know if theyare on the home version.)

From the start menu, or control panel, enter administrative tools / performance
Make sure that all monitors are active.
When the PC is idle, you should see just a few small blips from time to time for CPU activity.
Ifyou see large spikes, or the line is noticeably above the bottom of the graph, there is a program or process running.

Also in Administrative tools is event viewer.
This gives you a step by step listing of activity on the PC.
Select system, notethe time of the top event, and click the refresh button after a couple of minutes.
Any new events?
Right click on the new events, and select details to see what is happening.

If nothing there, my primary suspect is the mouse.

There are numerous "freeware" programs to track the mileage that you put on your mouse.
Download one from your favorite download site.
I like www.nonags.com
and www.completelyfreesoftware.com

Run the program, note the "mileage", and leave the PC alone for a few minutes.
Did the mileage change? If so, then the mouse is slowly "drifting".
It could be a dirty mouse, or bad electronics inside the mouse.
If it is an "optical" mouse, it could be receiving signals from IR devices around the room. (Remotes, some lights, etc)

Chas