>we need to remove user from system, not just form, so we use the timer on the screen as well. if the screen time out occurs when the form has focus, the system won't close until the form closes.

PMFBI, but i dont think this is going to be as simple as all
parties would like it to be, but; defind global glTimeOut=.f.


in TIMER method/procedure;

       if glTimeOut = .t.
          * issuse message regarding time out (user overide?)
          exit
       endif
       glTimeOut = .t.
       return

in EVERY user form/function/method;

       glTimeOut = .f.
       ...
       * normal function process(es)
       ...

HTH!