Help - Screen Blanker Utility - Is there One ?

thehappyman · Dec 2, 2010

I am looking for a Software Utility that puts an icon on the desktop, which, when double clicked, would totally blank my screen - and then either clicking the mouse, moving the mouse, or pressing any key would restore the screen.

I want to be able to blank the monitor without actually turning it off. Both to save the screen and to save power.

Any help on this would be appreciated a lot.

PooMan UK · Dec 2, 2010

It's not a great idea to have a blank image displayed on your screen (even a black screen). This could lead to screen burn. Although most modern screens have pixel shift built in to them, allot of manufacturers still recommend using a moving image. I would suggest just turning off you screen via the power button is just as quick and easy. You won't save much power or the screens life by just blanking your screen but you will by turning it off.

Trucidation · Dec 2, 2010

I've broken a monitor power button before - I compulsively switch off even if I leave the room just to take a leak - but that was a cheap crap CRT. Haven't had any issues switching off/on flatscreens so far these past few years.

Didn't know even a fullscreen black image was bad though, thanks for the heads up. I used to play this MMO on one laptop which would timeout the game if it went to sleep or I closed the lid, so I opened paint and had it display a full black screen. Kicked that habit though (both blacking out the screen and the game, lol).

Kari · Dec 2, 2010

There's a really easy and simple way to do this:

Create a new shortcut on your desktop. Browse to scrnsave.scr in C:\Windows\System32, click OK, click Next, name the shortcut as you wish, click OK.

Now you have a shortcut to run Blank Screen screensaver on your desktop. Double click it to instantly blank the screen, move mouse or press a key to return to desktop. Screen stays blanked as long as nothing happens, and it does not disable your normal screen saver.

You can use the same method to launch any screensaver (.scr) file.

Kari

thehappyman · Dec 7, 2010

Thanks so much Kari - this works great - it's exactly what I wanted - Click the shortcut and it blanks the screen until you hit a key or move the mouse.

Kari · Dec 7, 2010

You are welcome. It's one of those features in Windows that are almost too easy, so we don't even think of them.

thehappyman · Dec 7, 2010

PooMan UK said:
It's not a great idea to have a blank image displayed on your screen (even a black screen). This could lead to screen burn. Although most modern screens have pixel shift built in to them, allot of manufacturers still recommend using a moving image. I would suggest just turning off you screen via the power button is just as quick and easy. You won't save much power or the screens life by just blanking your screen but you will by turning it off.

Hi PooMan - I would have done as you suggested but powering electronics off and on again repeatedly is not particularly a good idea. It is not at all conducive to extending component lifetime.

As I have a 30 inch monitor, blanking the screen does save a noticeable, but small, amount of power. But that is not my main objective. In my particular case my computer/monitor is mounted on a desk with my 61" TV behind it so I am very often wanting to blank out the monitor without powering it down so I can shift my attention from the computer screen to the TV and not be distracted. Then, at a moments notice, switching back to the computer screen, if you see my logic.

This new shortcut, as suggested by Kari, works great for my purposes.

Bongo · Dec 7, 2010

Kari said:
There's a really easy and simple way to do this:

Create a new shortcut on your desktop. Browse to scrnsave.scr in C:\Windows\System32, click OK, click Next, name the shortcut as you wish, click OK.

View attachment 119919

Now you have a shortcut to run Blank Screen screensaver on your desktop. Double click it to instantly blank the screen, move mouse or press a key to return to desktop. Screen stays blanked as long as nothing happens, and it does not disable your normal screen saver.

View attachment 119920

You can use the same method to launch any screensaver (.scr) file.

Kari

Thanks that works great, I added the shortcut to my objectdock now it's one click.
Jerry

TBVNZ · Dec 7, 2010

I was gonna suggest this: Windows Fader Screensaver
it's what I've been using, I made a shortcut just like the one listed above, but all this does is fade to black or any other color.

PooMan UK · Dec 7, 2010

thehappyman said:
Hi PooMan - I would have done as you suggested but powering electronics off and on again repeatedly is not particularly a good idea. It is not at all conducive to extending component lifetime.

This new shortcut, as suggested by Kari, works great for my purposes.

No probs pal, it was just that in your 1st post you said you wanted to

Both to save the screen and to save power.

Well powering off the screen isn't as bad as you think

and will prolong the life and save power over a blank screen saver. (you'de be surprised at how much power a 30" can use) I can only go on the info that manufacturers send us, but maybe
A Guy could give you better information as he's been a TV tech since they were invented

but if Kari's solution is what your looking for then it's all good pal

A Guy · Dec 8, 2010

I would combine the two. The method Kari posted will allow you to blank the screen at will. But also set the computer to turn off the monitor after, say 15 mins. of inactivity. that way if you want to blank the screen, use the screensaver, and then if away for more than 15 mins., the monitor will also go into standby. Either way, you can wake it with the press of a key of movement of the mouse. Even creating the blank screensaver, the monitor is using almost the same power as when the picture is showing, as the backlights remain lit. Powering to standby will turn the backlights off, and prolong the life of the monitor.

A Guy

thehappyman · Dec 8, 2010

This "Combination" sounds like a good idea - being able to blank the screen instantly, without powering down the monitor, or turning it off if "unused" for 30 minutes - the best of both worlds.

Thanx All

rukbar · Jul 10, 2012

This is an old thread but wanted to share another option - this one actually turns off the monitor (on my Tosh R700 at least)...

Google "nircmd", save the exe to your local drive and create a shortcut to the below command:

nircmd.exe cmdwait 1000 monitor off

I also use CTRL + SHIFT + M as a shortcut key to provide a quick way to execute...

Help - Screen Blanker Utility - Is there One ?

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