Apple remote and mac sleeping issues

Hey all,

2 problems which i hope aernt too taxing?

First, im using a mac mini 2011, mainly used at a HTPC, using plex i use the apple remote to open plex using menu, and then navigate using the remote, however now when im using it and i use the up and down keys i get this image appearing on screen (see pic) which is quite annoying, anyway to get rid of this?

And

Secondly, having a few slight issues of machine going to sleep when an application is running, e.g. uTorrent... will be downloading files and then after 15 mins machine will go into sleep even though application is running, in lion it just used to put display to sleep and keep app running. Any help?

Thanks