When you install or upgrade to Ubuntu 12.04, you’ll notice that screensaver has been removed. Now a blank (dark) screen will kick in when your computer is idled. In previous versions of Ubuntu, when your computer becomes idled, a screensaver will start and begin displaying different patterns on your display. Not anymore. If you want to add or enable screensaver package in 12.04, then you must continue below to learn how to do it.

Enable Screensaver in Ubuntu 12.04 (Precise Pangolin)

Enjoy!

 

To get started, press Ctrl – Alt – T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run the commands below to remove gnome-screensaver package.

sudo apt-get purge gnome-screensaver

 

gnome_screensaver_precise

 

Next, run the commands below to install xscreensaver packages

sudo apt-get install xscreensaver xscreensaver-gl-extra xscreensaver-data-extra

 

gnome_screensaver_precise_1

 

Next, run the commands below to create xscreensaver autostart file.

sudo gedit /etc/xdg/autostart/screensaver.desktop

 

gnome_screensaver_precise_2

 

Then copy and paste the lines into the file and save it.

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Screensaver
Type=Applicaton
Exec=xscreensaver -nosplash

 

gnome_screensaver_precise_3

 

Restart and you’re done. To customize how often it launches, open Dash and search for screensaver, then open it and configure your settings.

 

Enjoy!

 

gnome_screensaver_precise_4