Print Screen Problem

Question

I know how to use print screen, and have used it for years. I bought a used Dell Inspiron 2650 with XP on it from my neice. It had a lot of garbage on it and only 256 MB memory. I cleaned it up and added another 256 megs of memory. Have never been able to get Print screen key to work, and it had a lot of info on it from the owner prior to my neice that I could not remove, so I did a clean install of XP Pro. That took care of the previous owner problem, but still unable to get print screen to work. Clipboard shows to be installed. I must have a bad print screen key on keyboard, or something unchecked. I have gone into add/remove windows components, and don't find it there. How would I determine where the problem is, as I use print screen frequently? Thanks in advance, Larry

beneteau · Answer

Don't know if this will help; but, did a Google search and found this.

mombodog · Answer

Does clipboard work for other things?  If you don't get if figured out,       Try this  http://www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/mwsnap.html

WMLARRY · Answer

I am a little bit hesitant to try the sys 32 hotfix, as I am not having problem with windows shutting down. I looked at all the program downloads suggested by mombodog , and even downloaded and installed one of them. I didn't like it I guess, 'cause us old folks are set in our ways.   I am able to copy and paste into Photo Shop 7, Corel Photo Shop, and Paint, so I assume that clipboard is working. Normally, when I hit print screen and then open a graphics program, I click on the icon of a briefcase to paste. This icon is grayed-out after hitting print screen, but is active after hitting copy..

mombodog · Answer

The shutdown issue is if you repeatedly hit the print screen key.   A bad key would not let it install in the first place.

WMLARRY · Answer

That's the same hotfix article supplied earlier, and I'm not having the windows shut-down problem.   Since I had the problem prior to and after clean install of XP Pro, I think it must be a bad key.   Thanks for the replies.   Larry

mombodog · Answer

If the hotfix does not fix the issue, it can be removed via add/remove programs list.

You can get it here http://thehotfixshare.net/board/index.php?automodule=downloads&req=download&code=confirm_download&id=1017

Message Edited by mombodog on 08-28-2007 08:13 PM

jmwills · Answer

CTRL + print Screen captures the entire display whereas ALT + Print Screen captures only the active window.  Both place the object on the clipboard where you can then paste into a Word document.

WMLARRY · Answer

I finally bit the bullet and downloaded and installed the KB924961 Hotfix. It did not remedy my problem, so I removed it. The control + print screen and alt + print screen have no effect either...... the paste icon in graphics programs is still grayed out.   Thanks for the efforts on my behalf.   Larry

mombodog · Answer

Don't give up, try this   Hold the Flag key down and tap R key  type in the following and hit OK   sfc /scannow   space between   c   and   /   this will check all your critical system files and replace any that are corrupt or the wrong size.   The scan process may ask for your XP CD, so have it handy, there will be no confirmation or report when done, the window will just close, then reboot and do a windows update.

mombodog · Answer

sfc and chkdsk are two different animals.   It is best to do the sfc with a sp2 level XP cd.

WMLARRY · Answer

I don't have XP Pro cd with me at office right now. Will try sfc when I get home this afternoon. I had previously done chkdsk and it found no problem.

WMLARRY · Answer

The only XP Pro cd I have is prior to SP2, I'm sure. I ran sfc with this cd inserted. When it completed, the window closed, so I assume it found no problems. I tried the print screen key afterwards with  no results. Also tried it with the control and alt key.   Being old and senile, I left the power supply cord for laptop at office, so sfc ran on battery power. Any other suggestions will have to wait until tomorrow when I get back to office,   Thanks for your efforts.   Larry

mombodog · Answer

Just tried to run sfc on my xp box with a sp2 cd and got a bsod 30% into the process,  :smileysurprised:   Gotta love Windows.

mombodog · Answer

'the window closed, so I assume it found no problems.'   No, that is the bad thing about sfc, it does not tell you anything that it did, you just have to reboot and see if anything changes.   Do a windows update since you used a XPsp1 cd. It may have put older versions of the files on your installation.   There may be a Sfclog.txt in the windows directory somewhere.

WMLARRY · Answer

Re-did all my MS updates this morning. I give up!

Windows General

Print Screen Problem

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