Bob Simon wrote:
[...]

installed BOINC on a PC running Windows XP HE.

"Windows XP HE": Win XP Home?

When I've got my
screen saver set to "on resume, password protect" I get a message that
says: Secure Windows Desktop Detected  This configuration is currently not supported

Likely meaning that the BOINC screen saver doesn't support password protected resume...

I have a teenage son at home all day and would really prefer to lock
my computer when I'm not there.  If I simply ignore the error message,

[...]

Let him grow up a little? Educate him further??


You could run s@h without running its screen saver. Better still would be to run the much faster CLI version. For your 'screen saver', just select "Blank Screen" screen saver (no CPU wasting) which should support password protection.

If you're using s@h "classic", find the 'blank screen' option in there. Then set s@h to 'always run' and from the desktop screen properties, select the "blank" screen saver from there also.

Look up the CLI version and associated addons. I found SetiSpy to be best for summarising progress.

In a few days, check out BOINC.

Good luck,
Martin