Here is a guide to install XscreenSaver. XScreenSaver is a modular screen saver and locker for X11, containing more than 200 screen savers. And it also has the option to blank and lock the screen. The BSOD is a package that shows the popular Blue Screens of Death from several OSes including BSD, Windows, Linux, Solaris, Apple and much more.
To install XScreenSaver and the BSOD package open a terminal window (press Ctrl+Alt+T) and copy+paste the following line:
sudo apt-get install xscreensaver xscreensaver-gl-extra xscreensaver-data-extra xscreensaver-screensaver-bsod
After installing the packages you need to remove the GNOME screen saver packages. To remove them copy+paste the following line in your terminal window:
sudo apt-get remove gnome-screensaver
When gnome-screensaver is removed you can start xscreensaver. To start XScreenSaver press the SuperKey and type: xscreensaver
When xscreensaver is started you will be asked if you want to stop the GNOME screen saver daemon, click on the OK button. Click on the OK button when asked if you want to start the XScreenSaver daemon. Now all there is to do is to select the screen saver you like and change the time settings. When done changing the settings you can close XScreenSaver.
To start XScreenSaver at startup you need to create a startup rule. To open the startup applications preferences window press the SuperKey and type: startup applications. To add the rule follow these steps:
Click on the Add button
Enter a name for the rule
Enter the following command in the command field:
xscreensaver -nosplash
Enter a comment (optional)
Click on the Add button
Click on the Close button
That’s it … sit back and wait for the screen saver to start 🙂
tested on ubuntu 12.04 beta 1
I have done as above, but my shortcut (disabled the default lock screen and replaced with Cntrl + Alt + L accelerator with command xscreensaver -nosplash) won’t work, and launching xscreensaver from Dash (Super W key) seems to only call up the settings dialog box. any suggestions?
If you followed the steps the it should work … Maybe you missed a a step in the last part: To start XScreenSaver at startup you need to create a startup rule. To open the startup applications preferences window press the SuperKey and type: startup applications. To add the rule follow these steps: Click on the Add button Enter a name for the rule Enter the following command in the command field: xscreensaver -nosplash Enter a comment (optional) Click on the Add button Click on the Close button I will make a video showing how to do it this evening… Read more »
Sorry but i didn’t have the time to make the video. I thought i had some time to make it but i didn’t. This doesn’t mean i won’t make the video but i have to do it somewhere in the next days. Sorry for the delay!