Mac OS X auto Sleep prevention

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.

Am1rr3zA

Posted 2009-10-05T12:57:22.370

Reputation: 4 715

1@Am1rr3zA Hope you don't mind, but I improved the formatting and the spelling on your question a bit. Good luck with your problem! – alex – 2009-10-05T13:15:16.733

1Don't use a widget. Follow the directions in deddebme's answer, then my answer, and when you want to manually lock the screen activate the screen saver with a hot corner (put the mouse cursor in that corner). Done this way, the internet connection is not dropped. – John Rudy – 2009-10-05T13:15:52.973

Answers

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

Follow deddebme's directions.
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.)
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

Posted 2009-10-05T12:57:22.370

Reputation: 3 267

Tanx, I hope it work for me :P – Am1rr3zA – 2009-10-05T13:22:07.350

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

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deddebme

Posted 2009-10-05T12:57:22.370

Reputation: 3 434

I want it go to lock screen and still have connection to internet – Am1rr3zA – 2009-10-05T13:07:59.397

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.

Josh K

Posted 2009-10-05T12:57:22.370

Reputation: 11 754

1+1 for the apps, but please consider adding hyperlinks to the apps. This will make it easier for others to find and learn more about them. – alex – 2009-10-05T14:04:23.630

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

Posted 2009-10-05T12:57:22.370

Reputation: 168