I have a new ubuntu 10.04 install, it is the third that I have done
recently. On this particular install (unlike the others) the screen goes
unexpectedly blank at seeming random intervals
and any motion restores the screen. It is acting like
a screen saver with the blank screen option set. My screensaver
preferences are set to use a screen saver 'for a 7-minute idle period.
The lock screen option is off.
For AC power management never is chosen for "put computer to sleep" and
30 minutes is chosen for the "put display to sleep" option.

This is a compaq presario desktop.

Please let me know how to disable this feature.
It is an absolutely nerve-wracking problem!
thanks
tim

does it turn black after some interval of time? Did it work well on other versions of ubuntu?

No specific interval that I can see.
This is a new machine (compaq). I have another machine here - Gateway with
nvidia, which is older and I have not had that experience with older
versions of ubuntu.

The compaq machine in question just did something on it's own as I was typing to
you on the Gateway. It went blank for just a second and then the screen
returned.
BTW: Since I started this thread, I have installed the proprietory
nvidia driver (recommended one) on both the compaq and the gateway, but
the compaq is obviously still acting goofy.
I really appreciate the reply.
thanks
tim