Author Topic: DONE: DimSaver, a better PowerDimmer screensaver alternative (Read 108,900 times)

skrommel · « **Reply #25 on:** April 13, 2006, 08:27 AM »

I've been using DimSaver for a while, and it always disables itself, brotherS. Can you tell me when this happens?

However, it quite oftens goes bright again, mouser. I'll look into it.

Skrommel

brotherS · « **Reply #26 on:** April 13, 2006, 01:16 PM »

Quote from: skrommel on April 13, 2006, 08:27 AM

I've been using DimSaver for a while, and it always disables itself, brotherS. Can you tell me when this happens?

It happens all the time here

I did set Windows to execute the screensaver after 5 minutes and when I want to disable it I need to hit Ctrl-Alt-DEL to disable it - no other way...

skrommel · « **Reply #27 on:** April 13, 2006, 03:02 PM »

You have checked the checkboxes in the Settings screen? Or try to delete the ini file.

Skrommel

brotherS · « **Reply #28 on:** April 13, 2006, 03:14 PM »

Quote from: skrommel on April 13, 2006, 03:02 PM

You have checked the checkboxes in the Settings screen?

Yes, I checked that before.

Quote

Or try to delete the ini file.

I now tried it - but Windows seems to cache the settings? I deleted the ini and opened the settings - which were still being displayed as I did set them the last time!?

skrommel · « **Reply #29 on:** April 13, 2006, 03:21 PM »

You have to delete the ini file located next to the installed DimSaver screensaver, probably in C:\Windows\System32.

Skrommel

brotherS · « **Reply #30 on:** April 13, 2006, 03:23 PM »

That's exactly where I deleted it before I posted the post above

skrommel · « **Reply #31 on:** April 14, 2006, 11:26 PM »

Finally working! Try DimSaver v1.4!

The main problem was that the .scr has a different working dir that the .exe, so it took forever to find what was actually wrong. Also, the screensaver receives mouse messages for no reason, and running another screensaver from a .scr, and closing it, also closes the other screensaver. Go figure!

Skrommel

mouser · « **Reply #32 on:** April 15, 2006, 05:47 AM »

report on 1.4:

the effect is really great here on multimon.

when its configured to stop on mouse move, it stops right away despite my best effort to test it without moving mouse. i think this must be a bug.

it uses 99% cpu while dimming, but then changes to no cpu usage at end. this is acceptable but not ideal. i wonder if you aren't stepping through dimming levels much more then you have to be.. in other words, maybe a slighlty less smooth dimming transition would look identical but not use much cpu?

skrommel · « **Reply #33 on:** April 15, 2006, 10:28 AM »

Try DimSaver v1.5!

Added option to change the step speed of the dimming. Also corrected the mousemove bug (missed a global variable).

Remember to delete the existing ini-file when upgrading!

Skrommel

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #34 on:** April 15, 2006, 10:54 AM »

Quote from: skrommel on April 15, 2006, 10:28 AM

Added option to change the step speed of the dimming. Also corrected the mousemove bug (missed a global variable).

This says 1-255 with 255 being the fastest dimming.

I find it works with small numbers (I have it set to 20 and it works) but at large numbers it doesn't seem to work it just doesn't go into screensaver mode at all. (I have found >80 doesn't seem to do anything - but I haven't tried between 20 and 80).

mouser · « **Reply #35 on:** April 15, 2006, 10:54 AM »

ok, i tried the different step sizes, and i see why you had it the way you did, anything bigger than 2 is just to jumpy.

but it's fine because,
i've set speed to 200, and now cpu is only 50% while dimming, and 0 afterwards, and its a nice gentle fade. this is excellent and i can definitely live with that since the cpu use is only while dimming not afterwards.

mouse issue is fixed.

what can i say, i just LOVE this screensaver - super simple and really gentle and wonderful. love it!

and i cant believe how could you are getting regarding gui configuration pages.

sending a few credits to show my appreciation. guess i better throw a couple to brotherS as well since it was his idea

.

some suggestions not related to program directly:
1) your about box should point to: http://skrommel.donationcoder.com
2) you should say in your about box that donations are welcome, and maybe point them directly to your donation link (see http://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=3164.0 for more info)
3) this is one of those utils that might be worth making a pad file for and submitting to some software sites, and maybe making a special Featured Skrommel Apps page for or something - it deserves broader recognition.

as you can tell, i really love this one. for those who generally dont use a screensaver, this is a wonderful subtle alternative.

skrommel · « **Reply #36 on:** April 15, 2006, 12:30 PM »

You're absolutely right, Carol! The step had to be less than the darkness!

Corrected in DimSaver v1.6, so remember to delete the existing ini-file when upgrading!

Skrommel

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #37 on:** April 15, 2006, 04:13 PM »

Thanks, I'll go over and try the next version

.
.
. time passes
.
.

Seems to work great now.

brotherS · « **Reply #38 on:** April 15, 2006, 04:19 PM »

Update frenzy today, huh?

Will try it, thanks!

skrommel · « **Reply #39 on:** April 15, 2006, 10:12 PM »

Something missing? How about undimming (for lack of a better word)?

Upgrade to DimSaver v1.7! Remember to remove the existing ini-file.

Skrommel

jgpaiva · « **Reply #40 on:** April 16, 2006, 10:27 PM »

I love this new version!
And the "undimming" function, it's just amazing! I love the way the screen returns to it's normal state, just the same way it went dark.
Fantastic!

m_s · « **Reply #41 on:** April 17, 2006, 02:23 PM »

This is exactly what I wanted, Skrommel! You are a hero!

mouser · « **Reply #42 on:** April 17, 2006, 02:29 PM »

this is my normal reminder that this is the kind of thing DonationCredits were made for

zridling · « **Reply #43 on:** April 18, 2006, 12:01 AM »

Really nice man. Donation submitted, coding and testing appreciated!

brotherS · « **Reply #44 on:** April 21, 2006, 10:03 AM »

Hi skrommel,

one more suggestion: add a "move cursor to posX/posY when dimming" option

DimSaver often dims the screen correctly but when some program opens/closed/moves a window while dimmed and the cursor happens to rests on the taskbar the desktop stays dimmed but the taskbar becomes non-dimmed...

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #45 on:** April 21, 2006, 10:10 AM »

I have had a slightly odd problem with DimSaver active in that my Explorer windows seem to refresh regularly. It stops when I change to a different screen saver. Has anyone else noticed this or is it just my screwed up system?

brotherS · « **Reply #46 on:** April 21, 2006, 11:30 AM »

Quote from: Carol Haynes on April 21, 2006, 10:10 AM

I have had a slightly odd problem with DimSaver active in that my Explorer windows seem to refresh regularly. It stops when I change to a different screen saver. Has anyone else noticed this or is it just my screwed up system?

Your system must really be FUBAR

- that never happened here!

skrommel · « **Reply #47 on:** April 21, 2006, 10:30 PM »

Just added DimSaver v1.8.

Added option to move the mouse when dimming, brotherS. Also I moved the option around a bit.
Do remember to delete your existing ini file!

@Carol: I can't replicate this. How about MonitorOffSaver? Same problem?

Skrommel

brotherS · « **Reply #48 on:** April 22, 2006, 07:55 AM »

Thanks!

Now if only you could find a way to avoid AHK not finding "WinWaitActive" windows when the dimmer is active... PowerDimmer would be perfect+++!

skrommel · « **Reply #49 on:** April 22, 2006, 10:49 AM »

Try DimSaver v1.9, brotherS!

Changes: Hides the cursor instead of moving it, disabling key action activates the underlying window for input.

So just uncheck the Keys box in the close actions options to make DimSaver not be the active window.

The hiding of the cursor is to make the other screensavers behave better.

Skrommel