Cannot change sleep and screen saver

I do not have File Vault activated.
I have tried all the usual tricks ( as well as the proper method) but once changed and closed the setting reverts to the original setting.
I have searched Google and many people are having this problem and no-one in Apple seems to care to resolve this issue.

Step one is to create a new admin user account, log into it, and see if the problem persists.

Similar Messages

Display won't sleep and screen saver won't sart

I upgraded to the new OS and the display won't sleep and screen saver won't come on. Help please.

Long shot.
Do a backup.
Quit the application.
In Finder hold down the option/alt key while selecting the Go menu item. Select Library. Then go to Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist. Move the .plist to your desktop.
Restart the computer, open the application and test. If it works okay, delete the plist from the desktop.
If the application is the same, return the .plist to where you got it from, overwriting the newer ones.
If you want to make your user library permanently visible, run the below command in Applications/Utilities/Terminal.
chflags nohidden ~/Library/
You will need to do that after any updates.

Turn off Sleep and Screen Saver

I am trying to write my first apples script that will set my computer and display sleep and screensaver interval to "never" when I connect an external display. This is what I have so far:
tell application "System Preferences"
launch
set current pane to pane id "com.apple.preference.energysaver"
tell application "System Events"
set value of every slider of tab group 1 of window "Energy Saver" of process "System Preferences" to 50
end tell
set current pane to pane id "com.apple.preference.desktopscreeneffect"
do shell script "defaults -currentHost write com.apple.screensaver idleTime 0"
quit
end tell
The sliders in Energy Saver move, but reset when I open system preferences to check them. The screen saver interval will not change. Why can I not change its interval in the same way as the other two sliders? Any help is greatly appreciated.

I wonder if it's possible to use GUI scripting to change those system preferences that require administrator privileges. Maybe that's the reason why the settings of the Energy Saver window were not saved after you moved the sliders. However you should be able to set the computer sleep time and the display sleep time with the following line of code:
do shell script "pmset -a sleep 3 displaysleep 3" user name "yourusername" password "your_password" with administrator privileges
On the other hand, using GUI Scripting, it should be possible to change the settings of the Desktop & Screen Saver window, since its preferences don't require administrator privileges:
tell application "System Preferences"
activate
delay 1
tell application "System Events"
tell process "System Preferences"
click menu item "Desktop & Screen Saver" of menu 1 of menu bar item "View" of menu bar 1
-- delay 1
set value of value indicator 1 of slider 1 of group 1 of tab group 1 of window "Desktop & Screen Saver" to 360
end tell
end tell
end tell
However, the value of the slider is not saved either when you quit the System Preferences. I don't know why.

Require a password for sleep and screen saver

I click the box that is tick it becomes untick but when i close my laptop it ask me to enter my password in and then when i got to system prefferences it shows me the box tick when i unticked it.
Please help

Back up all data.
Quit System Preferences if it's running. Triple-click the line below to select it:
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.screensaver.plist
Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select Services ▹ Reveal from the contextual menu. A Finder window should open with a file selected. Move the selected file to the Desktop, leaving the window open. Relaunch System Preferences and test. If there's no change, quit again and put the file you moved back where it was, overwriting the one that may have been created in its place. Otherwise, delete the file you moved.

I was changing my desktop screen saver in system preferences screen protection. Now it says it is "Loading Images" and won't stop. The Colourful wheel goes around for ever and It does not stop. Can anyone help me?

I was changing my desktop screen saver in system preferences>screen protection. Now it says it is "Loading Images" and won't stop. The Colourful wheel goes around for ever and It does not stop. Can anyone help me?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
I have seen a lot of cases like your issue, and it's easy to solve.
First, open Disk Utility, select Macintosh HD in the sidebar and repair permissions. Sometimes, a permission can be damaged and it makes that an application doesn't work properly.
If that doesn't work, open Finder, select Go menu > Go to Folder, type ~/Library/Prefereces, delete "com.apple.desktop.plist" and "com.apple.systempreferences.plist" and restart

How can I require a password to change the "Require password after sleep or screen saver begins" setting

My son has a habit of disabling the "Require password after sleep or screen saver begins" setting whenever my wife lets him play a game on her account. I notice every other setting on the "Security & Privacy -> General" tab is protected by the lock on the lower left corner. I've never understood why this one is not. Is there any way that I can get that setting to also be controlled by the lock?

Because that setting is specific to the account currently logged in and doesn't potentially affect any others or the system itself, which is the level in general at which administrator or root access is required.
(82759)

Unexpected behaviour with "require password" and screen saver

In 10.6.x, I checked "Require password after sleep or screen saver begins" and after the invoking the screen saver (via a hot corner) moving the mouse or typing on the keyboard brought up a password dialog.
In Lion, this is what happens with the same settings:

That got posted somehow before I finished. Here is what happens:
The log in screen is displayed.
I select an account and log in.
The log in screen is displayed again.
I am logged in, but have obviously been logged out in the meantime.
This looks like a bug to me.

HT1338 My system preference hang after i click desktop and screen saver app.

When ever i try to change my wall paper or click on my desktop and screen saver app the system preference hang..
Any one know how to fix that beside format the whole system?
Thanks in Adv.

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
Try to delete the Desktop settings file. First, open Finder, select Go menu > Go to Folder, and type ~/Library/Preferences. Then, delete "com.apple.desktop.plist" and "com.apple.systempreferences.plist", and restart. Finally, you should be able to go to Desktop and Screen Saver on System Preferences

In System Prefereneces, when I am in Desktop and Screen Saver, I am unable to remove folders. I can click the "-" and the folder appears to be gone, but when I close and then reopen System Preferences, and open Desktop and Screen Saver, the folder reappea

In System Prefereneces, when I am in Desktop and Screen Saver, I am unable to remove folders. I can click the "-" and the folder appears to be gone, but when I close and then reopen System Preferences, and open Desktop and Screen Saver, the folder reappears in the list. I have tried deleting preferences "plist" but I am totally unable to remove the folders.

I've seen one other report like yours, and I think the issue is caused by a bug, but I don't know what triggers it.
Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin. Test while in safe mode. Same problem? After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

Desktop and Screen Saver in System Prefs hangs. Why?

I just migrated everything over perfectly from my old intel mac to my new one. when i go to "desktop and screen saver" in the system preferences and try to choose a folder of images for screen saver, sys prefs hangs and i have to force quit. i am trying to choose the same folder i used in my old mac but i have the same problem when trying to chose any folder. is there some "desktop and screen saver" file that could be corrupted that I need to delete? if not, why is it hanging?

I too am having the same problem as the original poster. I tried what was suggested as far as creating a new admin. account and still have the same problem with no iPhoto library showing up and the desktop/screensaver preferences hanging up and finally forcing a quit to close it.
I migrated everything from my old computer to this new one including the system software. It was suggested by someone else to reinstall the system software which I have done also with no change in the problem. (something to do with shared libraries I think????)
Any more ideas?

My macbook pro's desktop and screen saver is not responding

My mac book pro when started pops up a window which shows desktop and screen saver and it becomes nonresponsive, eventhough it is force quit it pops again and keeps searching for something .

You have to take the computer to the Apple store to have it checked out.
Genius Bar reservation:
http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

HT2490 my desktop and screen saver option is no longer available in the system preferences. meaning it is no longer listed. how would i go about getting it back?

my desktop and screen saver option is no longer available in the system preferences. meaning it is no longer listed. how would i go about getting it back?

If you used system cache cleaning software it can mess up Apple software. Stop using such software. Remove Mackeeper if present using these directions:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3691
If you started typing something in the search field of the System Preferences, it might be hiding. Quit and reopen System Preferences to be sure it isn't hiding because it is searching for another panel.
Lastly, if none of the above apply, go to your hard drive -> System -> Library -> PreferencesPanes folder and see if it is hiding there. If it isn't, get your 10.5 installer disc that installed 10.5 on your Mac, and restore it with http://www.charlessoft.com/ 's Pacifist, and then run the 10.5.8 combo update to ensure the version matches the operating system.

Accidently deleted the "desktop and screen saver" icon

Hi,
I accidently deleted the desktop and screen saver icon from the system preferences. I deleted it from the trash too, is there anything I can do to get it back?
Thanks

laur.son wrote:
Hi,
I accidently deleted the desktop and screen saver icon from the system preferences. I deleted it from the trash too, is there anything I can do to get it back?
Thanks
Welcome to Apple Discussions:
Exactly how did you delete it?
Not knowing what computer or OS you are using, it's not possible to provide any help. We need more info and a filled-in profile.
You can always restore the system from your backup.

Stop iPhoto files from appearing in desktop and screen saver.

I have pictures in IPhoto that I want to maintain the security and restrict access. The photos are confidential. The problem is that the files show up in screen saver and desktop. In OSX.5 how do you remove iPhoto files from desk top and screen saver? or prevent desktop or screen saver from accessing the files?

Walter:
You'll need to put them in their own library and put the library in a password protected (disk image) dmg file big enough to hold the library. You can use iPhoto Library Manager to quickly move between libraries after opening the disk image.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

Exporting an album to desktop and screen saver

I have a MacBook Pro running on 10.10.2 and iPhoto 9.6.1. I would like to use my own albums for desktop and screen saver. Was not able to find instructions listing the steps to follow to move albums. Can you help?

You first have to select a theme (like Origami or Reflections) in the sidebar of the System Preferences > Desktoo&Screensaver preferences panel.
Then set the source for the photos to be used to one of your iPhoto events from the "Source" pop-up. It may take some time for your iPhoto Library to show in this menu, when you click Photo Library: Or pick directly one of the "Recent iPhoto Events". Just make sure, the event you want is the last one you viewed in iPhoto.

Cannot change sleep and screen saver

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