[N/A] Xorg server flag for screensaver cycle time?

LRitzdorf · 2022-12-18 21:30:20

Hello! I've been experimenting with Xorg screensaver settings, and I'd like to be able to control my screensaver cycle time (also called the period) without resorting to "xset" commands in my ".xprofile".

So far, I've been able to control display settings via an Xorg configuration drop-in file, but there doesn't seem to be an option for cycle time. Given that it is controllable with "xset s <blank time> <cycle time>", the lack of a ServerFlags cycle option surprises me a bit.

For reference, here's my current "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-monitor.conf":

Section "ServerFlags"
    Option "BlankTime" "5"
    Option "StandbyTime" "10"
    Option "SuspendTime" "10"
    Option "OffTime" "10"
EndSection

And the results, as expected:

lritzdorf@ritzcracker : ~
[0] % xset q
<trimmed>
Screen Saver:
  prefer blanking:  yes    allow exposures:  yes
  timeout:  300    cycle:  600
<trimmed>
DPMS (Display Power Management Signaling):
  Standby: 600    Suspend: 600    Off: 600
  DPMS is Enabled
  Monitor is On

Based on this, the screensaver cycle time seems to mirror the DPMS standby time, by default...

Last edited by LRitzdorf (2022-12-19 20:16:35)

seth · 2022-12-18 22:30:35

https://man.archlinux.org/man/Xserver.1.en#p but idk for a ServerFlag, it's certainly not documented.

the lack of a ServerFlags cycle option surprises me a bit

https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xorg/xserv … 907ffee66b
Never underestimate how old X11 is…

LRitzdorf · 2022-12-19 20:14:50

All right, thanks for the pointer! It looks like I could make my own .xserverrc, then, but that defeats my goal of keeping all screen-blanking settings in the same file anyway. I've just added an "xset s" invocation to my .xprofile, which works fine.

centeepede · 2025-05-22 22:27:26

I have just stumbled across this topic after hours of looking for a solution... Is it really the case that "cycle" isn't implemented for "ServerFlags"?

seth · 2025-05-23 07:11:21

seth wrote:

idk for a ServerFlag, it's certainly not documented

> But does it really not exist?
< I've really never found one.
> Really?
< Really.
> You mean, like, "really"?
< Really.
> "Really" like in reality?
…
< Ok, it's a hidden flag. To unlock it, you'll need a 5lb sledgehammer. Swing it against your computer - I know that sounds scary, but it will free some secret registers in your CPU and all your problems will be gone.
> Really?
< Really.

Please don't necrobump.

There might or not be another Xserver release somewhen later this year (this is just noise from the mailing list) - idk resp. doubt whether that will add anything itr (most screensaver clients don't care much about that value anyway), but it you could try to patch the feature in until then.

Arch Linux

#1 2022-12-18 21:30:20

[N/A] Xorg server flag for screensaver cycle time?

#2 2022-12-18 22:30:35

Re: [N/A] Xorg server flag for screensaver cycle time?

#3 2022-12-19 20:14:50

Re: [N/A] Xorg server flag for screensaver cycle time?

#4 2025-05-22 22:27:26

Re: [N/A] Xorg server flag for screensaver cycle time?

#5 2025-05-23 07:11:21

Re: [N/A] Xorg server flag for screensaver cycle time?

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