The screen saver does not start after you install a wireless pointing device

After you install a Microsoft wireless pointing device, you may notice the following symptoms when the computer is inactive:

• The screen saver does not start.
• The computer does not standby to save power resources.
• The computer does not hibernate to save power resources.
• The power management features do not work.

This behavior may occur because of a startup program that is installed with the CyberLink PowerDVD software or the CyberLink PowerCinema software. The PCMService.exe program starts when the computer starts and interaction at some level between this and the Wireless reciever prevents the computer from becoming idle. Therefore, the screen saver and the other idle-related features do not start.

Additionally, this issue may occur if the PCM and DVDLauncher services are running in the background. The PCM service is part of the Dell operating system that is used to start media programs faster. The DVDLauncher is a program that is used for DVD playback. This issue also occurs in Windows Vista premium and in Windows Vista Ultimate because of the media center functionality that is built in.

To work around this behavior, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Turn off the PCMService.exe program

1. Open System Configuration. To do this in Microsoft Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
   
   To open System Configuration in Windows Vista, click Start
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   , type System Configuration in the Start Search box, and then click System Configuration in the Programs list.
   
   
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   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
2. On the Startup tab, click to clear the PCMService startup item check box.
3. Click Apply, and then click Close.
4. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

Method 2: Remove the PowerDVD software

1. Open Add or Remove Programs. To do this in Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type appwiz.cpl, and then click OK.
   
   To open Add or Remove Programs in Windows Vista, click Start
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   , type Add or Remove Programs in the Start Search box, and then click Add or Remove Programs in the Programs list.
   
   
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   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
2. In the list of currently installed programs, click PowerDVD.
3. Click the Change/Remove button, and then follow the steps that appear on the screen to remove the program.

To resolve this behavior, plug in a wireless receiver, and then visit the following Microsoft Windows Update Web site to check for updates: Install the update that appears as Optional Hardware Update and has the following title:

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.