How do I get the screen to blank when nobody's using it?

Under 4.1.x you invoke screenblank in /etc/rc.local, but there's no
screenblank in Solaris 2.x. Sun recommends that you
have everybody put `xset s on' in their .xinitrc, but this
may be hard to police, and in any event it won't work when nobody is
logged in. The simplest workaround is to copy /usr/bin/screenblank
from 4.1.x and run it in binary compatibility mode. See ``What
happened to /etc/rc and /etc/rc.local?'' for how to invoke it.

Another possibility is to use xdm or dtlogin. That way the X server
will continue to run and the screen will be blanked by it.

The 4.1.x screenblank didn't work for us. We use Jef Poskanzer's
freeware screenblank.

Because of a bug in Solaris 2.3, you'll may have to
specify -DHAVE_POLL=0 when compiling this version.

Solaris 2.4 comes with power management software for those systems
with a soft-switchable power supply. That may suit your needs
better than screenblank. In Solaris 2.5 the software can remove
the sync signal from your monitor causing newer monitors to go
in energy saving standby mode. The Solaris 2.4 version had problems
reenabling the monitor or graphics card.

The power-management software is on the SMCC Updates CD [2.4 2.5]

The power-management software can be used to switch off just the
screen, by putting the following in the power.conf file:



# Name                  Threshold(s)     Logical Dependent(s)


/dev/kbd                600


/dev/mouse              600


/dev/fb                 0 0             /dev/kbd /dev/mouse

Make sure you mark the "autoshutdown" line with "noshutdown"
if you want keep your machine running.

The /usr/openwin/bin/dtpower utility can change these settings for
you. (Solaris 2.5)

ASGAUR