This Computer is Locked

August 7, 2008 6:38 AM

My corporate laptop computer goes into lock mode when i let it idle.

The Message "this computer is locked and can only be opened by "user Name" or administrator." It's not part of the screensaver process and I can't quite figure out what part of the registry I need to go to to get it to stay on longer than 15 minutes even though i'm not working the keyboard. This is a Windows XP Pro, but I've seen this same message on 2000 as well.

posted by ptm to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

Your machine may be locked down to the point that you can't change that. You might also want to consider that this part of your company's policy and as such, you might want to talk to a policy maker or one of their minions to see about getting an exemption if you have a good reason.
posted by mmascolino at 6:42 AM on August 7, 2008 [1 favorite]

Two options that if you can turn them off, may be doing this

Go here:
Start > Control Panel > Display > Screen Saver tab.

Option 1.) Remove the checkmark from 'On resume, password protect'
Option 2.) Hit the Power button, and go to the Advanced Tab. Remove the checkmark from the 'Prompt for password when my computer resumes from standby.'
posted by deezil at 6:53 AM on August 7, 2008

Did you check the Power Options control panel? There's a setting there for System Standby which includes a "Prompt for password upon resume?" checkbox; it's independent of any screensaver settings you might make.

If it's not that, then I would assume it's something set by group policy on the server and follow mmascolino's advice to go see your IT person.
posted by bcwinters at 6:53 AM on August 7, 2008

This is part of your security policy done via group policy. Don't change it. It's there for a reason.
posted by damn dirty ape at 6:54 AM on August 7, 2008 [1 favorite]

Seconding Damn Dirty Ape and mmascolino: It's your company's laptop and your company's policy. Speaking as someone who works with the people who make these decisions for my employer, attempting to tamper with it is a bad idea.

Try asking for an exemption through your normal IT support channels.
posted by BigLankyBastard at 8:37 AM on August 7, 2008 [1 favorite]

I agree. I did InfoSec in a pharma and one of the biggest issues was laptop security, namely losing the damn things. The reason that you have to log in is to secure any data you have on the machine and prevent unauthorized use.

I know it seems stupid and a pain in the ass, but it is not following security protocols that lead to data leeks and those wonderful little letters that say you've been given a free year of credit monitoring because someone fucked up and your personal data "may" have been given to an unauthorized third party.
posted by thebreaks at 9:12 AM on August 7, 2008 [1 favorite]

Everyone says it is a bad idea to override this mode, but here is why it is a bad idea: If your company finds out you've overridden the security settings, you will likely be fired.
posted by Doohickie at 1:06 PM on August 7, 2008

I agree withBigLankyBastard. Ask for an exception. If they've set the timeout to 5 minutes (which would be a serious pain in the ass) ask them to extend it to 10. If you have local Admin rights to your PC, you can change the timeout yourself, but as others have said, don't turn it off. It's there for a reason.
posted by cnc at 4:43 PM on August 7, 2008

Best answer: I don't think having to re-enter a password is that much of an inconvenience. That said, an actual solution to your problem: Caffeine.
posted by timepiece at 8:36 AM on August 9, 2008