I've been using computers for maybe two and a half years, and I keep on seeing this little button marked: Print Screen|SysRq and Pause|Break. What in the world do those two buttons do?

Print scrn sysRq takes a digital screen shot of your desktop. You can hit that button, then go to a graphics program like ms paint, psp, ps, etc and hit Edit>>paste and your desktop will show up!

As for the other button...im not sure what that does

Oh....Many thanks on the Print Screen one Jrfan! I don't want to push any buttons that'll make my computer crash...though I pretty sure that the Pause button won't do that...*sweat-sweat*

Originally posted by Jrfan888
Print scrn sysRq takes a digital screen shot of your desktop. You can hit that button, then go to a graphics program like ms paint, psp, ps, etc and hit Edit>>paste and your desktop will show up!

As for the other button...im not sure what that does


I NEVER KNEW THAT! IT WORKS THANKS!

Here is the conversation I had with my friend Scott, at Compaq, in the exclusive presario owners support chat!
Do you own a presario? Do you like the way this chat went? www.compaq.com/support
(READ FROM BOTTOM UP PLEASE)

chris hawthorne: ok i will thank you
Scott: We will be sending you a copy of our Chat session and a Survey Questionnaire. Please do take your time to tell us what you think of our service.
chris hawthorne: i am
Scott: I hope you are completely satisfied with the service you received in this chat session.
chris hawthorne: no thats it
Scott: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
chris hawthorne: Thanks for using Compaq Americas blah blah , go on....say it...lol
chris hawthorne: I hope so. lol
Scott: We can learn anytime in our lives. Isn't it?
Scott: No problem at all Chris.
chris hawthorne: That is all....I was just wondering, I come up with some pretty stupid things when I am bored. That is all.
Scott: You are welcome
Scott: In operating systems like Linux, the key has other properties.
chris hawthorne: thank youy
chris hawthorne: ok
Scott: .. is meant to take the Screenshots.
Scott: I would like to inform you that the key in Windows ..
chris hawthorne: that is ok
Scott: I am extremely sorry for the delay in responding to you.
chris hawthorne: ok
Scott: I am with you.
Scott: Yes, Chris.
chris hawthorne: you there?
chris hawthorne: ok
Scott: Just a moment
chris hawthorne: oh ok can it do anything else?
Scott: The primary function of the key is to take the ScreenShot.
chris hawthorne: that is neat, I have been using computers since i was 9 but never figured that out..........and what does sys rq stand for ? and is the sole purpose of that key to take a screenshot?
Scott: Do you have any other questions I can answer for you?
chris hawthorne: ok
Scott: These are some of the uses of the Pause/Break key.
Scott: Yes, Chris.
chris hawthorne: system properties pops up
Scott: Please press the Windows key and the Pause/Break key together.
chris hawthorne: ok
Scott: Let me show this to you.
Scott: .. the PAUSE/BREAK key is used as a combinations key.
Scott: Also, in Windows...
Scott: Yes.
chris hawthorne: Oh ok , I gotcya.........and the prtscrn/sys rq I know it takes a screen shot, but what does sys rq do?
Scott: .. the results would keep scrolling until the end.
Scott: When you type the DIR command for example and the result is the list of directories, if the list is too long...
Scott: The key is usually used in DOS mode.
Scott: Thank you.
chris hawthorne: ok go ahead
Scott: Let me explain.
chris hawthorne: I dont have a problem , but you can tell me what number I can call to find a local compaq technician
Scott: That's not a problem.
chris hawthorne: lol
chris hawthorne: There is one thing that I am dying to know, I really dont have a problem I am just wondering.....What does the Pause/break button do?
Scott: Welcome to HP Americas Consumer eSupport for Presario Products. My name is Scott. How may I help you today?
Scott: Hello, Chris
Chris: Hi!