Bring Back XScreenSaver

Debian based distributions Ubuntu, Kbuntu, and Mint Linux Power Management and Screensaver Control no longer includes XScreenSaver.

Gnome 3 Devs does not include gnome-screensaver. The replacement screensaver is a power management blank screen. This is problematic on TV LCD using HDMI where the TV goes to sleep as well, thus triggering removal of the device in the running linux.

You can easily Install and Autostart XScreenSaver on Ubuntu 16.04, 16.10

sudo apt-get install xscreensaver xscreensaver-gl-extra xscreensaver-data-extra

Now remove gnome-screensaver

sudo apt-get remove gnome-screensaver

Now start the xscreensaver configuration tool - from a terminal:

xscreensaver-demo

Maybe your distribution lacks the repository. Try this one:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:hda-me/xscreensaver
sudo apt update
sudo apt install xscreensaver

To check your XScreenSaver version, execute the following command:

xscreensaver --help