In my previous post on this topic, I discussed the screensaver in Vista (as well as XP MCE 2k5) not working with the Microsoft Cordless Laser 6000 KB/Mouse combo from Microsoft.  Since then I have been doing some further investigation into what exactly is the cause of the issue.  Well, I found it.  It turns out that with this KB/Mouse setup and a few others released around the same time they introduced a new “Microsoft Wireless Desktop Receiver 3.0A”.  Previous wireless sets had the 2.0A receiver, and I just happened to have one of these old receivers lying around.  Plugged it in, aquired signal with my devices and walked out of the room.  When I came back 5 minutes later, the screensaver was working as I would expect it to.  So it’s the receiver, not the keyboard or the mouse.  When I called Microsoft support about the issue, they said it is known but have no plans to fix the issue and outright refused to send me a working receiver.  I guess they don’t need the business, or they just like pissing people off, but either way, they know about the problem but they don’t want to do anything about it as usual.

Apparently the issue is something to do with the 3.0A receiver conflicting with the ehtray.exe process on any version of XP/Vista equipped with Media Center.

Just figured everyone should know, so now you can at least stop pulling your hair out trying to find the real culprit.