Strangely locked out of Windows logon

[noetus]

I have never seen this before... after a strange problem apparently with my screensaver (making the screen go awry) on my T42, I discover that I cannot log back into windows, because both the 'Username' and 'Password' fields are greyed out. The cursor is flashing in the 'Username' field, but I cannot type anything there, or move the cursor to the 'Password' field. If I simply try pressing the Return key, I get the usual incorrect password error 'Only <username> can unlock the computer'. Has anyone ever seen this phenomenon before? I've posted a picture of the 'greyed out' logon box so you can see for yourself (sorry for the poor quality). Strange, huh?

This has happened a couple of times, and each time I have had to press the power button for 5 seconds to restart the machine, since I can't reboot.

[davidspalding]

I would try FN + F12 and see if you can hibernate from that state. Then wake up and see what you get.

Nope, never seen it myself. Very odd. What screensaver are you using that makes the screen go awry?

[noetus]

Thanks for that tip.. of course, should have thought of it myself

I am not actually sure the screensaver is the problem. I notice that sometimes the display gets badly screwed up (desktop disappears, big blocks of colour, some of it flashing, random pieces of windows and taskbar being shown in random places on the screen) and I almost totally lose mouse clicking/keyboard control. A couple of times when that's happened and I do manage to get control of the machine back (by moving the mouse around & clicking frantically, or closing windows I can't "see") the machine has come back in the locked state I photographed and noted above. It hasn't always done that - of around 30 times this has happened, only around 3 have resulted in the strange locked screen. Some people in this forum (on a different posting, no strange lockout mentioned) advised that I may have a video memory problem (or a RAM issue, but the RAM has since been replaced and the issue is still intermittently there).

For a while I wasn't using the screensaver, and the issue seemed to go away... then I recently switched it back on again, and the problem has recurred a couple of times, once with that strange lock-out. So now I am thinking it is a software issue after all, and the screensaver is doing something strange to the Video RAM mapping or addressing or something..?

The screensaver is Matt Ginzton's port of the Mac OS Flurry.

[Kyocera]

have you tried running the pc dr. for dos? I had a hard drive fail a couple of years ago and the desktop would get chopped up looking. I am not trying to steer you in any particular direction here, just simply suggesting test out the hardware.

[davidspalding]

That sure sounds like Video Processor or driver issues. Are you using the latest driver for your card? I would run the gamut of video tests on that system. Several times.

Don't recognize the saver though I might try it - sounds interesting. I'll let you know if I get the same symptoms! For your problems, I would strongly suggest that you use another screen saver (try one of the built-in Windows 3D savers (say, 3D flying objects and use the windows logo or textured flag, or 3D Test)) for a while. See if the problems cease.I know, you're saying, "But I LIKE that screen saver." I hear ya, but see if the problems are being prompted by that screen saver. Just another troubleshooting step.

[edit] I think the screensaver could be your problem. I noted in the release notes that it has had issues with Radeon cards; the author claimed that running "Catalyst" drivers resolved those problems. On my T41 (Mobility Radeon 9000 AGP), in the Multi-monitor mode, it wouldn't run, and I got something like your symptoms when I waggled my mouse. I also found the "Water" scheme doesn't work, and once when i returned from the saver, my mouse cursor was AWOL - had to reset the presentation manager to bring it back. ... It sure is pretty, though.

[edit][edit] I take that back, "Water" works,... it's just so dang dark.