I need to have my computer log off my account and to the login screen

inkmachine · 12 Nov 2012

Hi,

I need to have my computer log off my account and to the login screen after about 15 minutes or so of being idle or inactive.

I built a brand new PC this weekend with Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit.

I followed the steps in the tutorial at this website

automatic logout after inactivity/idle

But when I came into work this morning, my computer never logged off and it was still at my desktop as if nothing had happened.

Here's the error info from the Task history:

-------------------------------------
Log Name: Microsoft-Windows-TaskScheduler/Operational
Source: Microsoft-Windows-TaskScheduler
Date: 11/11/2012 10:18:29 AM
Event ID: 101
Task Category: Task Start Failed
Level: Error
Keywords: (1)
User: SYSTEM
Computer: ARTDEPARTMENT.greatputon.com
Description:
Task Scheduler failed to start "\Log Off Idle Session" task for user "GREATPUTON\Administrator". Additional Data: Error Value: 2147750692.
------------------------------------------

If I go into my task scheduler and actually run this schedule from there, it logs me off perfectly as I would want it to. But it's not running automated for some reason.

Do any of you have any recommendations as to why this wouldn't be working and if not, do you have any other recommendations or methods I could use to get the computer to log off of my account after being idle?

I can't set it for a certain time, it has to be after being idle or inactive.

Thanks a lot!
Jason

Ztruker · 12 Nov 2012

Did you go through all the Tabs of Task Scheduler as Noel showed? Since it never started it sounds like it may not be running under your account when it runs scheduled or has the wrong password, or something like that.

What I would do is create a simple batch file that writes a line to a .txt file each time it runs, then get that working under Task Scheduler. Once you have that, substitue shutdown /l /t 30 and see if that works. If it does, you'll see a popup window saying your computer will be shutting down in 30 seconds.

You may have to set it for 30 idle minutes as Noel mentions instead of 15.

inkmachine · 14 Nov 2012

Hi,

Well, I double checked everything and this is still not working =(
I couldn't even get the batch file to run when the system is set to idle.

Any other suggestions on what I could possibly do?

Thanks for your help

Ztruker · 14 Nov 2012

What does the Task Scheduler show in History for when you try to run it?

Christian Smith · 14 Nov 2012

My computer is set for the screensaver to start up after 5 minutes of being inactive, it's set to just be a black screen. Whenever I return to the computer, and come out of the screensaver, I am back to the loginscreen and required to enter my password etc. Could this be a workaround, or is a full logoff still required?

Ztruker · 15 Nov 2012

See here: Screen Saver Password Protection -Enable or Disable

Christian Smith · 15 Nov 2012

Ztruker said:

See here: Screen Saver Password Protection -Enable or Disable

Oh yes I probably should have included that Tutorial, oops

Ztruker · 15 Nov 2012

????? I don't understand.

Christian Smith · 15 Nov 2012

I was telling inkmachine how I have my computer set up to see weather that was something he could make use of.
(The automatically locking and returning to the login screen)
But if it is necessary that he fully logs off the computer after 15 minutes, then my sugesstion isn't of use.

inkmachine · 16 Nov 2012

Hi,

The odd thing is....I tried the screensaver...ANY screensaver and no screensavers will work either.

I set the screensaver for 1 minute, 2 minutes, 10 minutes....nothing.
A screensaver never activates whether I have 'Password on resume' checked or not.

This is a fresh install of Windows on a brand new system.

So, the screensavers aren't seeing my system as idle and the task manager must not be seeing it as idle? Is that why neither one would be triggered?

If so, what could be keeping my system thinking its running and active even though no one is touching the mouse or keyboard?

I'm not a Windows Guru by any means, so if any of my questions seem stupid, thats why. LOL

Thanks for all of your help!