I recently started back to doing this and am not familiar with the BOINC software. I have tried searching and looking through all the info on here and in the program to set this to run as my screensaver but all I get is the BOINC screensaver with the BOINC logo popping around with a message saying the BOINC software is not running, and click the Display Graphics button.

I have tried leaving the BOINC manager open and when my screensaver opens, it's still doing the same thing. So, what do I gotta do to have the SETI graphics show as my screensaver?

No, this is not normal. There are a couple of known video conflicts, but they can be worked around.

What is the setting "Suspend work while computer is in use?"?
What video card are you using?
Is the video driver up to date?
Is the video firmware up to date?
What version of DirectX are you using?
Are there any messages about work suspended?
Do you actually have work running on the computer (check with BOINC Manager)?

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BOINC WIKI

What is the setting "Suspend work while computer is in use?"? - Setting is Yes.

What video card are you using? - NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 4000

Is the video driver up to date? - Yes

Is the video firmware up to date? - Yes

What version of DirectX are you using? - 9.0c

Are there any messages about work suspended? - There is while I am using the computer. I have it set to do work after computer has been idle for 5 minutes. If I leave it open and on the simple view, I can see a message where it actually starts working before the screensaver begins.

Do you actually have work running on the computer (check with BOINC Manager)? - Well, if I check it while it is running, according to my settings, moving the mouse is enough to suspend it. So, technically, I will have work running and it will suspend it. So, I am sort of in a vicious circle there.

What is the setting "Suspend work while computer is in use?"? - Setting is Yes.

What video card are you using? - NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 4000

Is the video driver up to date? - Yes

Is the video firmware up to date? - Yes

What version of DirectX are you using? - 9.0c

Are there any messages about work suspended? - There is while I am using the computer. I have it set to do work after computer has been idle for 5 minutes. If I leave it open and on the simple view, I can see a message where it actually starts working before the screensaver begins.

Do you actually have work running on the computer (check with BOINC Manager)? - Well, if I check it while it is running, according to my settings, moving the mouse is enough to suspend it. So, technically, I will have work running and it will suspend it. So, I am sort of in a vicious circle there.

Sorry I took so long getting back to you.

There is a fairly long standing issue with nvidia cards and suspending work whild the computer is in use and the screen saver. For some reason, BOINC sees the screen saver running as the user being active.

There is a three way choice to make.
1) Use a different video card.
2) Allow work while the computer is in use.
3) Use a different screen saver (not the 3D ones they conflict with BOINC - blank works well and does not take CPU cycles). BOINC will be doing processing anyway.

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BOINC WIKI