Look here guinea pigs! I got beta food for you!

Thank you very much people. I have taken the beta down from my site. I'll release the final version later this week as soon as I get time to do final tweaks. Keep posting suggestions until then if you got any.

If anyone with Windows 2000, ME or 98 want to test it let me know and I'll send it to you as I have not got any chance to try it on those systems.

Well, it's more of a release candidate really. Just want to see how it runs on other systems.

I've made an update to my Running Matrix screensaver and I'd like to see how well it works on other systems other than mine.

If you could spare a couple of minutes and give it a try. Mess about with the settings and stuff.
Then post back here with your report of any bugs and general performance.
Please include:
# Windows Version + Service Pack
# CPU (Type and speed. It'd be useful to know if you have multicore or Hyperthreaded CPU)
# Memory
# Monitor(s) Resolution
# Graphicscard (not sure if I really need to know this, but...)

What I am particularly interested in is anyone with multiple monitor setup. I have added code to handle this, but I have not been able to test it. So I am very interested in this.

Also, I have not tested it in Windows 2000, Windows ME or Windows 98. I have not added any code to handle passwords in Windows 98. In Windows XP password is handled by the system. So should Windows 2000. Not sure about Windows ME.

Requires .NET Framework 2
15,049 views 51 replies
Reply #1 Top
Wow, it works very good here.
Specs:
GeForce FX 5200 (256meg)
384meg RAM
80 gig HD
500MHz P3
Windows XP Home

And more that doesn't matter
Reply #2 Top
Pretty cool Thomas, although I could not run it until I installed .NET framework (The Matrix?? LoL) after doing so it worked great..

"Home Brewed PC"
P4 3gig
1gig DDR unbuffered
Asus 9600XT = Drivers all up to date
Windows XP Pro
Reply #3 Top
Oh yea. It requires .NET Framework 2. Forgot to mention that. I'll edit the post to reflect that.
Reply #4 Top
P4 3gig
1gig DDR unbuffered
Asus 9600XT = Drivers all up to date
Windows XP Pro


I guess I was a bit vague

P4 3gig w\HT

XP Pro w\SP2 all current critical updates installed
Resolution is 1024x768 - 32bit

I think thats more complete as far as what you asked...

Did I ever tell you how much I dont like Beta's??..LoL This ones worth it though, pretty cool...
I like the included ability to change the color as well as a few of the other adjustments..
Thanks Thomas!
Reply #5 Top
I have .NET framework 2, but I guess I need the latest version. I've tried to download the latest 3 times, but it fails to install everytime.
I was hoping to help test it, because I run dual monitors, but it won't go......
Reply #6 Top
I have .NET framework 2, but I guess I need the latest version. I've tried to download the latest 3 times, but it fails to install everytime.


Just a thought Koasati..Have you tried readjusting your firewall..or disabling it during install?
Reply #7 Top
Not really...... I would never disable my firewall while on line. But it's the only thing on the Windows Update site that fails, so I don't think the firewall is the problem.
Reply #8 Top
Ok, Just thought I would throw that out there, I have had similar issues with Zone Alarm and Windows update.. Re-adjusted a few settings in ZA and it took care of it...

But your probably right..
Reply #9 Top
Screensaver seems to work just fine with multiple monitors..
2 monitors ea. 1280x1024 32 bit color
P4 1.6 Ghz
ATI radeon 9700 128 MB (I think?)
640 MB RAM
XP home SP2
Reply #10 Top
Hmmmm, Watch your Vid-card and CPU Temps...

While using the "Saver" I averaged 6-9 C's warmer than normal..(my normal is still below factory specs) Some people may find this a concern..

I am running 4 80mm case fans
The stock Pentium fan & heatsink
2 80mm fans within my PSU..
Reply #11 Top
I averaged 6-9 C's warmer than normal..

Did you mean Celsius? That would be 42 to 48 degress Fahrenheit! I would think that should concern everyone.

Reply #12 Top
Did you mean Celsius? That would be 42 to 48 degress Fahrenheit! I would think that should concern everyone.


Yup... Celsius,
I may not have noticed if it wasnt for the alarm going off on my fan speed controller.."Whuts that beepin noise"
I have temp sensors running to the CPU, Hard Drive, Vid Card and one just for the general case temp, My CPU alarm went off...
Reply #14 Top
Windows XP Pro SP2
AMD Athlon XP 2800+ (2.07 GHz)
2x512MB Kingston KVR400X64C25
2 Monitors at 1280x1024
ATI Radeon 9550 (256MB AGP)

Seems to be working well here. I tried it with different resolutions on the monitors and it worked fine.
Reply #15 Top
I have .NET framework 2, but I guess I need the latest version. I've tried to download the latest 3 times, but it fails to install everytime.

I have been having the same problem-- I even used their alternate method in which you DL the whole enchilada and install it without needing to access the web during install. After downloading, I disabled all anti-malware programs & firewall & tried the install. It stopped at exactly the same point as before... I was going to try going through MS support, but haven't gotten up the necessary energy yet (may take another year or 2 )
Reply #16 Top
Temp Update..

False Alarm..

Rechecked with MoBo Software and it appears temp difference amounts to 1-2 C's warmer for the CPU...Totally acceptible.
This is without a load on the CPU then running the Screen Saver for about 30mins

Thermal Sensors from the Fan Speed Controller are a little "Screwed -Up" to say the least.. I suppose I will have to open the thing up and recheck connections.

They were at one time consistant with the MoBo software... Not anymore!
Reply #17 Top
That would be 42 to 48 degress Fahrenheit!

I just realize my faulty math there..... oops!

Reply #18 Top
I just realize my faulty math there..... oops!


Yeah, LoL..more like 10-16 Deg...

Either way it was my mistake, I should have investigated further *before posting it...

Live & Learn..
Reply #19 Top
I don't think that screensaver is too CPU friendly. Quite alot of drawing.

For those who experiendes the screensaver to "fail to install", what do you mean by that? Can you explain a bit more what you are doing when it fails?

It's good to hear it works with multiple monitors. The final version should be out in a few dayss unless somethings really nasty unexpected happends.
Reply #20 Top
Oh, is it the .NET Framework that fails to install? You say to try to install the latest version? Did you have the beta? If you did you have to uninstall it in a very spesific way. .. I think ... or that could have been Visual Studio 2005 beta... I'm not quite sure...
Reply #21 Top
cool screensaver works great on mine i might suggest some sound to go with it here are my specs for ya P4-2.2 celeron[no-HT]-XP PRO,SP2,Single Mon.[LCD 25MS Refresh]1280-1024 res. SG3 PRO-OB GRAPHICS
Reply #22 Top
no Thomassen, you are right.
If you have installed one of the .NET beta versions, you need to uninstall it first.
please check at microsoft how to uninstall, I don't remember exactly how I did it.
BTW, the screensaver runs great here, I think the tranparancy effect is quite cool.
regards, Jan
Reply #23 Top
Never had a .NET beta-- hence the mystery / frustration

(sorry to be off topic)
Reply #24 Top
I think the tranparancy effect is quite cool.


I agree, The transparancy *is cool...
So is the ability to use virtually any font you have within your collection at pretty much any size...
Reply #25 Top
I'll just look into some stuff that Cerebro mentioned. He seemed to experience flickering of the Display Dialog and getting an GDI error when he opened the setting window. And some other stuff he suggested.

Btw, anyone got an idea for a good icon?