There is a slight difference in the instructions between operating system versions. If you are not sure which version of the operating system your computer is running, go to your APPLE MENU and select ABOUT THIS MAC. In the About This Mac window, the version number is listed just below MAC OS X.
Go to your APPLE menu, and select SYSTEM PREFERENCES. The SYSTEM PREFERENCES pane opens.
In your SYSTEM PREFERENCES pane, in the PERSONAL section, click once on DESKTOP & SCREEN SAVER.
The Desktop & Screen Saver pane appears.
Click once on the Screen Saver tab.
On the left side in the Screen Saver list, select a screen saver. A small preview appears on the right. To see how a screen saver looks when it is in use, click once on the TEST button.
To select options for the screen saver you have selected, click once on the OPTIONS button, and use the OPTIONS pane to choose how images are displayed by the screen saver.
To see a different screen saver each time the screen saver is activated, click once in the USE RANDOM SCREEN SAVER checkbox. You should make sure there are images in your Pictures folder if you use this option.
To choose when the screen saver starts after a period of inactivity on your computer, drag the START SCREEN SAVER slider. We recommend 15 minutes for this setting.
HOT CORNERS allow you to instantly start your screen saver simply by dragging your cursor to a specified corner of the screen. To set up hot corners, click once on the HOT CORNERS button.
The ACTIVE SCREEN CORNERS pane appears.
From the pop-up menu next to the screen corner you want to use, select START SCREEN SAVER. When you are finished, click once on the OK button.
Now when you are working and want to walk away from your computer, simply drag the cursor into the specified corner of the screen and the screen saver will turn on. When you come back and either move the mouse or press any key on the keyboard, an authentication window prompts you for your computer's username and password.
When your are finished with the Desktop & Screen Saver preference, click once on the CLOSE button.
We recommend that you set your screen saver to lock when you are away from your computer. Instructions for doing so are available here:
OS 10.4.x: Locking Your Computer
OS 10.3.x: Locking Your Computer
Go to your APPLE menu, and select SYSTEM PREFERENCES. The SYSTEM PREFERENCES pane opens.
In your SYSTEM PREFERENCES pane, under the PERSONAL section, click once on SCREEN EFFECTS.
The Screen Effects pane opens.
On the left side in the Screen Effects list, select a screen saver. A small preview appears on the right.
To see how a screen saver looks when it is in use, click once on the TEST button.
To select options for the screen saver you have selected, click once on the CONFIGURE button, and use the CONFIGURE pane to choose how images are displayed by the screen saver.
To change your Energy Saver settings, click once on the OPEN ENERGY SAVER button.
Click once on the ACTIVATION tab.
The Activation pane appears.
To choose when the screen saver starts after a period of inactivity on your computer, drag the START SCREEN SAVER slider. We recommend 15 minutes for this setting.
We also recommend that you turn on the setting to automatically lock your screen after a period of inactivity on your computer. Click once in the radio button in front of USE MY USER ACCOUNT PASSWORD.
HOT CORNERS allow you to instantly start your screen saver simply by dragging your cursor to a specified corner of the screen. To set up hot corners, click once on the HOT CORNERS tab.
To set Hot Corners, click once on the HOT CORNERS tab.
The Hot Corners pane appears.
In the checkbox of the desired corner, click once to place a check and turn on that particular hot corner.
Now when you are working and want to walk away from your computer, simply drag the cursor into the specified corner of the screen and the screen saver will turn on. When you come back and either move the mouse or press any key on the keyboard, an authentication window prompts you for your computer's username and password.
When your are finished with the Screen Effects preference, click once on the CLOSE button.
Written by Teresa Hagan
If you have any questions regarding your computer or this documentation, please send your queries to the Help Desk: