copying error messages?

[mikehende]

Lots of times when I am working on a pc and asking for help on a forum, I would have to write down whatever the error message is on the popup window, is there a way to copy those messages from those error windows so then I could simply paste the message unto the forum or post?

[Dan18960]

It all depends on the format of the forum. Doing a screen shot with Print Screen button will render a bmp file when opened in Paint and you can either convert that to a jpg or do a straight bmp paste.

[mikehende]

I am aware of going the printscreen way but if I have to do this then it will be faster and easier for me to write down the message, if I could find a way to make the error window react like a regular window then I can copy the message, the closest thing I can find so far is this

http://www.entbloess.com/

but I am not sure that you can switch popup or error windows with this software, I had written to them a week ago and no reply so I am guessing it will not do what I want.

[PeteF]

I am aware of going the printscreen way but if I have to do this then it will be faster and easier for me to write down the message, if I could find a way to make the error window react like a regular window then I can copy the message...

Mike, I hear you! This is such an annoyance with Windows to not
be able to Copy&Paste or even print the error messages. The best
solution I know is keep a the MS Paint program Icon either on the
START menu or in the QuickLaunch and to use a variation of the
Print Screen that only captures the error mesage window and not
the whole darn screen.

Here's the drill...

* Error Message appears

* Ensure the focus is on that Error mesage (click on
it if you have to ) and then press... ALT+PrintScreen
Note: Alt+PrintScreen trick just captures
the 1 window which has the focus.

* Open MS Paint and press CTRL+V
to paste it in.

* Print it if you desire. and Exit Paint or...
use SaveAs to name it and save it as a *.jpg file.
and then Exit Paint.

The above takes about 45 seconds if you take your time.
I just timed myself. :)

Hmmmmmmmm, I bet if we did a search, someone might
have a solution to this major windows annoyance.

---pete---

[mikehende]

I am wondering if no one has come up with this becuase maybe the only people who might have regular need for this would be people fixing pc's? Anyway, thanks for the instructions.