Disable Automatic Screen Lock in XFCE on CentOS

gnomescreen-lockxfce

I have a generic install of Centos 5.8 with XFCE 4.4. Pretty much all defaults. As is, after a certain amount of idle time the screen locks (goes black, requires a password to continue).

How do I disable the automatic screen lock?

I've searched around and read suggestions to use the settings manager to modify the Power Manager or Screen Saver settings but neither of those settings managers/panels/icons are installed on my desktop.

UPDATE:

It appears gnome-screensaver is being started automatically. Of course I could remove that program from the system, but I'd prefer to understand what's going on and use more ordinary configuration methods to prevent it from automatically starting and at the same time keep the option of switching back to it if needed.

Best Answer

ps aux | grep screen revealed that gnome-screensaver was running.

whereis gnome-screensaver found it in /usr/bin (among other places).

Also in /usr/bin/ was gnome-screensaver-preferences

Solution: run /usr/bin/gnome-screensaver-preferences and uncheck "Lock screen when screensaver is active". Optionally uncheck "Activate screensaver when computer is idle".

1. Using GNOME Power Managment Applet

Usually I open up the GNOME Power Management applet and disable any dimming etc. when on AC power. Have you done these things as well?

Right click on the GNOME Power Management icon in your taskbar:

ss gpm applet

Select Preferences from the menu:

ss of GPM menu

Disable dimming and make everything else Never:

ss gpm prefs. AC tab

2. `gconftool-2`, `setterm` & `xset`

If the above doesn't work out you can always throw this script at it.

#!/bin/bash

# Disable screensaver start
gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults -s -t bool /apps/gnome_settings_daemon/screensaver/start_screensaver false

# Disable screensaver locking
gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults -s -t bool /apps/gnome-screensaver/lock_enabled false

# Disable screensaver altogether
gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults -s -t bool /apps/gnome-screensaver/idle_activation_enabled false

# Increase screensaver idle time (max 2h, we set to 10h)
gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults -s -t bool /apps/gnome-screensaver/idle_delay 600

# Disable DPMS screen blank on AC and battery
gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults -s -t string /apps/gnome-power-manager/ac_dpms_sleep_method off 

gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults -s -t string /apps/gnome-power-manager/battery_dpms_sleep_method off

# Disable Computer sleep when on AC and battery
gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults -s -t integer /apps/gnome-power-manager/ac_sleep_computer 0 

gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults -s -t integer /apps/gnome-power-manager/battery_sleep_computer 0

# Disable Display sleep when on AC and battery
gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults -s -t integer /apps/gnome-power-manager/ac_sleep_display 0 

gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults -s -t integer /apps/gnome-power-manager/battery_sleep_display 0

# Disable Dim-on-Idle
gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults -s -t bool /apps/gnome-power-manager/dim_on_idle false

# Setterm
setterm -powersave off -blank 0

# xset stuff
xset -dpms
xset dpms 0 0 0
xset s noblank
xset s off

Scripts courtousey this ubuntuforum thread.

XFCE Screen Lock – Why It Doesn’t Work

Do I need to install a screensaver package or something?

Yes, according to the wiki, you need to choose and install a locker. xflock4 will then activate it.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Linux – How to disable energy saving on notebook screen when using Scientific Linux 6.3

1. Using GNOME Power Managment Applet

2. gconftool-2, setterm & xset

XFCE Screen Lock – Why It Doesn’t Work

Related Question

2. `gconftool-2`, `setterm` & `xset`