screen dump

How to take a screen dump

snag-0014Ever had trouble explaining to technical support exactly what the problem is?  A screen dump will often help get your message across.  Here’s a few ways to do that:

1.  CamStudio:  Taking a screen recording is not difficult or expensive anymore.  And sometimes a video recording of the screen is the only way to get your message across.  The upload to Image Shack and then provide the link in your forum post.

2. Vista Users:  Vista comes with a handy tool similar to Camtasia’s snagit.  If you are not already familiar with this tool you can get details here.

sdc102593.  Other Windows Users:  To the right of your keyboard is a Print Screen button.  This is sometimes shortened to Prt. Sc. or PrtScrn or similar.  With the windows you want displayed on your screen you are now ready to take your screen dump.

To capture a specific window click the top of it to make it the program with focus then hold down the left alt key and press the Print Screen button.  To capture the entire screen just press the Print Screen button.

Now open MS Paint (Start/Run “mspaint”) and press Ctrl-V to paste your capture image.  Use File/Save in MS Paint and save as a JPG file ready for uploading.