Plus! 98: Password Can Be Bypassed if Screen Saver Is Minimized (187851)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Plus! 98
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q187851

SYMPTOMS

When you password protect your screen saver, you may be able to bypass the screen saver password if you minimize the screen saver.

When you have minimized the screen saver, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to open the Close Program dialog box, click the screen saver, and then click End Task to quit the screen saver and gain access to the desktop.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if your screen saver uses Direct3D and you force the screensaver to minimize using one of the following methods:

  • You insert a compact disc into the CD-ROM drive.
  • You click the wheel on the Microsoft IntelliMouse if the wheel is assigned to Windows Explorer.
NOTE: This behavior can also occur if Task Scheduler attempts to perform a task while the screen saver is running.

RESOLUTION

To work around this issue, select a screen saver that does not use Direct3D. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Display.
  3. Click the Screen Saver tab.
  4. In the Screen Saver box, click a screen saver that does not use Direct3D.

    NOTE: To determine if a screen saver uses Direct3D, click the screen saver and then click Settings (the Settings button to the right of the screen saver box). If you see a Use Hardware Acceleration check box, the screen saver uses Direct3D.
  5. Click OK, and then close Control Panel.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed in the applies to section of this article.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/17/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB187851
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.