The computer does not automatically go to sleep when you use the Photos screen saver in Windows Vista

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SYMPTOMS

When you use the Photos screen saver in Windows Vista, the computer does not automatically go to sleep. You expect the computer to go to sleep when it reaches the idle time-out.

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This problem occurs because the Photos screen saver uses the slide show component of Windows Vista. Even though the Photos screen saver does not play audio, the slide show component opens an audio channel. When the audio channel is active, the computer behaves as if it is not idle.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, set the idle time-out to a value that is lower than the value of the Photos screen saver time-out. If this method does not work around the problem, use a screen saver other than the Photos screen saver.

To set the idle time-out, follow these steps:

Click Start
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, type power options in the Start Search box, and then click Power Options in the Programs list.

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If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
Under the selected power plan, click Change plan settings.
In the Put the computer to sleep list, select the time after which you want the computer go to sleep.
Click Save Changes.