Solved Print screen command not working

Imperfect1

Imperfect1

Vista Guru
For some reason, I can't seem to access the Print Screen command function. I have followed the directions given in MS Help. They say the following:

To print the ENTIRE SCREEN: click on PrtScrn on your keyboard. This captures and stores in the clipboard everything showing on your screen, including opened property menus and dialogues. If you then open Paint you can use the Paste function to see the captured image.

To print just the ACTIVE WINDOW on the screen: Use Alt+PrtScrn... Copies only the ACTIVE window. So, you would get whatever window is open, neatly cut out already, on the clipboard ready to paste in to your favorite image app.

When I click on PrtScrn or Alt + PrtScrn nothing happens. When I go into Clipboard and Paint, there is no image, and the "Paste" command is grayed out, so I can't even access it. What am I doing wrong??? :confused: Please help. I have Windows Vista Home Premium 64x and MS Office Home and Student.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t (Gen. 1)
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
    Graphics card(s)
    512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
    Mouse
    built in - Synaptics TouchPad V6.5 on PS/2 Port
    Keyboard
    built in - HP
    Internet Speed
    max
    Other Info
    ~ Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card w/Bluetooth ~ Blu-Ray ROM DVD+/-R/RW ~ Integ. HDTV Hybrid Tuner ~ 12 Cell Battery ~ MS Office (Home Premium) 2007 ~
You can get free replacements here
Gizmo's - Best Free Screen Capture Utility | Gizmo's Tech Support Alert

I was having something similar so I installed the Gadwin one. I removed it later because it didn't hide the mouse pointer automatically. Then the Vista one started working again. Maybe it's something to do with registry settings. In any case there's plenty of free ones out there.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion m9515y
    CPU
    Phenom X4 9850
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Some Radeon Cheapie with 512 MB Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    CRT
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    750 GB SATA 3G 2 SIIG Superspeed docks w/WD Caviar Black Sata II or III
MilesAhead said:
You can get free replacements here
Gizmo's - Best Free Screen Capture Utility | Gizmo's Tech Support Alert

I was having something similar so I installed the Gadwin one. I removed it later because it didn't hide the mouse pointer automatically. Then the Vista one started working again. Maybe it's something to do with registry settings. In any case there's plenty of free ones out there.
Click to expand...

Thanks MilesAhead. Actually, I found out the problem. On my laptop (HP Pavillion dv5t) you have to press the Fn key with the PrtScrn key -- I never knew that, so now, problem solved! :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t (Gen. 1)
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
    Graphics card(s)
    512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
    Mouse
    built in - Synaptics TouchPad V6.5 on PS/2 Port
    Keyboard
    built in - HP
    Internet Speed
    max
    Other Info
    ~ Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card w/Bluetooth ~ Blu-Ray ROM DVD+/-R/RW ~ Integ. HDTV Hybrid Tuner ~ 12 Cell Battery ~ MS Office (Home Premium) 2007 ~
It's always nice to find out stuff ain't really broken(unless you spend a lot of time trying to fix it) :) I still don't know why mine stopped working, but I'll settle for that it does now. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion m9515y
    CPU
    Phenom X4 9850
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Some Radeon Cheapie with 512 MB Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    CRT
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    750 GB SATA 3G 2 SIIG Superspeed docks w/WD Caviar Black Sata II or III
GradeAbra said:
I am having the same problem here as well. Which key is Fn key?
Click to expand...

The Fn key is on the bottom row of your keyboard, left side, between the Ctrl key and the Windows logo key. :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t (Gen. 1)
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
    Graphics card(s)
    512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
    Mouse
    built in - Synaptics TouchPad V6.5 on PS/2 Port
    Keyboard
    built in - HP
    Internet Speed
    max
    Other Info
    ~ Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card w/Bluetooth ~ Blu-Ray ROM DVD+/-R/RW ~ Integ. HDTV Hybrid Tuner ~ 12 Cell Battery ~ MS Office (Home Premium) 2007 ~
I just wanted to thank Imperfect1 for taking the time to come back and post the solution. I have the same HP laptop (though I"m sure it would apply to many others as well), and thought I had known this before, I so seldom use the screen capture key that I always forget from the last time that I have to press the Fn key along with the PrtScrn key to make it work.

As a matter of fact, thanks to all who post help online. I have received so much assistance that I've been able to go on and offer a bit myself from time to time.

Not to get all mushy, but every now and then it occurs to me how cool such generosity really is. I am very grateful!

I know this is an old thread, but I don't think it would be appropriate to post this as a new thread, so I'll just hope this will somehow be seen by those who would care to see it.

Cheers,
k4k2
 

My Computer

System One

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