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I have a problem with Mac OS X (Leopard) on my MacBook Pro: when I go away for a few minutes my laptop automatically sleeps and all my running applications stop working (such as my downloads). What should I set so that it works like Windows and it shows the lock screen but applications continue doing their job, such as downloading.

P.S.: I downloaded the lock screen widget and when I use it my applications don't close but I lose my internet connection until I unlock my laptop.

alex
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Am1rr3zA
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4 Answers4

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Go to System Preference -> Energy Saver, then choose Never to "Put the computer to sleep when it is inactive for".

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Gareth
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deddebme
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[This answer is based on the OP's comment on deddebme's answer.]

  1. Follow deddebme's directions.
  2. Go to System Preferences->Desktop & Screen Saver->Screen Saver, then select the screen saver you want and the time you want before it appears. (Optionally, set hot corners for the screen saver as well so you can lock-on-demand.)
  3. Go to System Preferences->Security->General, and make sure Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver is checked

Now you have everything -- no sleep, auto screen saver with lock, and password required to come back from that. When in screen saver mode, it will continue to have an internet connection.

John Rudy
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You can also use Jiggler or InsomniaX to prevent sleeping. Jiggler will wiggle the mouse every 20-60 seconds (depending on settings), InsomniaX will actually prevent sleep even if you close the lid on a laptop.

alex
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Josh K
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There is also a brilliant little application called Caffeine It resides ind your menu bar as a small coffee cup and when you click it, smoking coffee appears and your Mac will stay completely on. It will even keep the screen from that annoying dimming that makes you touch the mouse every two minutes when wathing youtube.

//Ulrik

ulrikhansen
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