Custom images as screensaver at the login window (Lab environment)?

theguvnor
New Contributor III

We have a lab environment where many of the Macs remain sat at the login screen awaiting users logging into them. Rather than having a standard system screensaver kick in, I was asked to look into the possibility of having them cycle through a set of fullscreen images advertising various services whilst the machines remain logged out.

Using the very helpful info at https://www.jamf.com/jamf-nation/discussions/24620/forcing-screen-saver-with-script I've been able to get this working whilst a user is logged in, but not for the screensaver that activates over the login window.

Looking at old Apple KB article https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202223, it suggests that this is unfortunately not possible at the login window using the iLifeSlideshows (Classic theme) method that works when a user is logged in, and I've had no luck modifying the guidance at http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20100120180846475 on creating a bundled .saver file, which the KB article says should be possible (although that article is from 2010...). Whilst the .saver installs as a screensaver, when viewing it in System Prefs > Desktop & Screensaver, it simply gives a message that it is not compatible with the latest operating system.

Is anyone else in the same boat managing a lab environment and had any luck in displaying anything other than a standard system screensaver over the login window of your lab Macs?

I'm aware the Jamf Login Window config profile options offer the ability to start a specific .saver file (by default from /System/Library/Screen Savers), has anyone had any joy in setting that to a customised .saver file? Would definitely be interested in that option being expanded to be able to display custom images either uploaded into the JSS or from a set server path source.

Maybe too much to ask for! :)

4 REPLIES 4

phin
New Contributor
New Contributor

I've been working on this exact issue, and so far haven't found a viable way to do it. My current plan is to auto login as a dedicated "screensaver" user and run the iLifeSlideshows screensaver from there (with fast user switching enabled). Have you come up with any brain blasts since your original post?

dross
New Contributor III

Plus 1 on this issue. Any luck here ?

theguvnor
New Contributor III

Sadly not for using it at the login screen, no. The thread at https://www.jamf.com/jamf-nation/discussions/24620/forcing-screen-saver-with-script has useful info for setting it up for logged-in users, but that wasn't what I was looking for :(

dross
New Contributor III

Yea.... I think its because the root user screensavers in Mojave do not include the IlifePhoto screensaver. Its back in Catalina , so i imagine so will login window screensavers with custom pics.