Use screen savers to keep track of multiple Windows XP computers

by Greg Shultz | Apr 18, 2007 7:00:00 AM

Tags: PRODUCTIVITY, Greg Shultz, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows, screensaver, computer, Windows XP Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: If you use multiple Windows XP computers from a single monitor, here's how to work with the screen saver icon to avoid headaches and keep your systems straight.

If you regularly work with multiple Windows XP computers using a Keyboard Video Mouse (KVM) switch, you may get confused about which computer you currently have on the screen. But if you don't need all the features of the BGInfo utility, there is a simple method that you can implement using either the 3D Text or Marquee screen saver.

1. Launch Windows Explorer and locate either the sstext3d.scr file or the ssmarque.scr file in the C:\WINDOWS\system32 folder.
2. Right-click the file and select Send To | Desktop (create shortcut).
3. On the Desktop, right-click the shortcut, select the Configure command, type the name of the computer in the Text box, and click OK.
4. Drag the shortcut to the Quick Launch toolbar.

Now to find out the name of the computer you just switched to, click the screen saver icon on the Quick Launch toolbar.

Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional.

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Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

I just use a wallpaper Palmetto | 04/18/07

I have a Belkin KVM BeBoo | 04/18/07

Dude, that is sweet!!! Palmetto | 04/18/07

i love bginfo sgt_shultz | 04/18/07

bginfo Salmanassar | 04/19/07

Bginfo is fine when it's not hanging your PC at login MarkWAliasQ | 04/19/07

Never seen that before. JMO2009 | 04/19/07

Slow Login? Lupster | 04/23/07

Did you configure it right? SingerGuy | 04/23/07

That's some weird behavior seanferd | 07/22/09

BGinfo is great blarman | 04/23/07

Yeah, I use desktop wallpaper too! Labrat636 | 04/19/07

Wallpaper twoclones@... | 04/19/07

Wallpaper with the computer name? Boring! Palmetto | 04/20/07

Now that is cool seanferd | 07/22/09

I like TonytheTiger | 04/19/07

BGInfo hangs your computer up! mary.d.montgomery@... | 04/23/07

Doesn't work in classic mode JRLBell | 04/23/07

Your right about classic mode Deejay54 | 04/23/07

Yep. I just configure using the normal method seanferd | 07/22/09

So many ways Griffo | 04/23/07

Even easier... cmatthew@... | 04/28/07

not there in remote desktop seven2seven | 07/22/09

Depends on your utility Palmetto | 07/22/09

Screensavers waste valuable resources prplshroud | 04/18/07

Thank You poco777@... | 04/19/07

Not Really techr@... | 04/19/07

More hassle than it's worth... WebDevByLoki | 04/19/07

Shortcut? Toolbar? bellyware | 04/19/07

Rename the My Computer Icon Bee Jay | 04/19/07

B-) Awesome Suggestion B-) Greg Shultz | 04/19/07

Close RNR1995@... | 04/21/07

Use a postit and don not waste time with shortcuts to screensavers! errormsg@... | 04/19/07

Elegance d.s.williams | 04/19/07

Post-its fall off Labrat636 | 04/19/07

I would use a Sharpie The Bobinator | 04/19/07

And when you change servers, Palmetto | 04/20/07

Invisible KVM Palmetto | 04/19/07

Better ltilley@... | 04/19/07

Rename My Computer icon christian.carlson@... | 04/19/07

That's an interesting idea... dkenny@... | 04/19/07

there goes another good idea ... TG2 | 04/23/07

Rename My Computer luke.sonstegard@... | 04/19/07

You can also identify the logged in user eanderson@... | 04/19/07

Requirements? christian.carlson@... | 04/19/07

Requirements? SOLVED christian.carlson@... | 04/19/07

Then use zenworks or GP(or whatever M$ uses) and roll out a sweet reg hack. dherde | 04/23/07

My compaq kvm keeps the server name on the screen.... UncleRob | 04/19/07

why use screen savers. Bmccroskey@... | 04/19/07

Yeah, why use screen savers... sandras@... | 04/19/07

U R Here jebinfo@... | 04/23/07

Workstations Mond0 | 04/23/07

I'd gnaw off my arm before I gave a user the local Admin p/w. Palmetto | 04/23/07

Unless meximelts@... | 04/25/07

Add his network account to the Local Admins group. Palmetto | 04/25/07

Correct meximelts@... | 04/27/07

Seems largly redundant to me blackv@... | 04/26/07