Mac Tip: Help the Techs Troubleshoot by Capturing Error

How many times have you talked to your computer tech and when asked what happened, you say something like, "well, first the thing was there and then the computer said I did something wrong, then it was gone."

I have to tell you, I have never had the computer tell me I have done something wrong. Also, "the thing" is a bit broad for a computer tech to decipher when troubleshooting a problem. So, to make your computer tech's life easier (and honestly, yours) you can take a screen shot of the error message so that you can show the exact error message...yes those messages actually have a purpose.

To take a picture of your entire screen, use the following keyboard command:
Command (Open Apple) + Shift + 3
This creates a file called "picture N" on your desktop (where N is a number in a sequence)

To take a picture of a selected part of your screen, use the following keyboard command:
Command + Shift + 4
You will receive cross-hairs as your cursor. Draw a box around your selection. When you let up on your mouse, this creates a file called "picture N" on your desktop (where N is a number in a sequence)

If you don't want to save a file, but copy the image to the clipboard, just add the Control key to your keyboard shortcut, then use the paste command to place the image into your document.
So, Command + Shift + Control + 3 for a screen shot capture
Command + Shift + Control + 4 for a selection capture


If you are trying to help your tech by providing them with a screen shot, use the keyboard shortcuts that save the image as a file. Then , you can attach the file in an email.

I guarantee you will make your computer tech's life easier by providing screen shots of error messages, when you are encountering a problem on your computer.