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Print Screen, Non-Apple Displays, and Stopping Apps from Automatically Opening

Quick Scan

You can control your apps that open at start up or Login in the Accounts part of the System Preferences or right-clicking on the app's icon in the Dock.

Most any display will work with Macs. Just make sure it has the right connector first.

There's no Print Screen on Macs. You need to print a screen capture instead.

Print Screen, Non-Apple Displays, and Stopping Apps from Automatically Opening

Welcome to My First Mac's Q&A column. It is said that Macs are easier to use, but they are still complex in their own right. Here are a few questions we have received lately from readers like you. Sometimes we reformat the questions for clarity and presentation.

This week we have questions about the Mac version of Print Screen, using a non-Apple display and stopping apps from opening at login.

  I have some applications that start when my Mac first boots. How do I turn them off?
     
 

This is controlled in the System Preferences. Select Accounts, then Login Items. Select the application you no longer want to start and click the minus (-) button. Click the plus (+) button to add applications.

Another quick way to change this status is to right-click on the icon in the Dock and select the Open at Login item. There should already be a check box next to it if it is opening automaticaly. Selecting it should remove the check.

Open at Login

     
 

Do I have to use an Apple monitor with my Mac?

     
 

Nope. You can use just about any monitor with your Mac. Consult your user's guide to discover what kind of video connector your Mac has and be sure to purchase a compatible monitor.

Most current Displays have a DVI connector. Older ones may have a VGA connector. Most Macs handle both either straight away or with an adapter.

     
  How do I get the Print Screen command?
     
 

The Mac doesn't have a Print Screen key like most Windows keyboards. To Print your screen, you first need to take a picture of it. To do this, press Command-Shift-3. This will take a picture of your screen and place a file of it on your desktop titled "Picture 1". Double-click the file and select print (File Menu/Print or Command-P).

By the way, to capture just a portion of your screen, press Command-Shift-4. This will turn your cursor into a cross hair. Click and drag to capture.

Command-Shift-4-Spacebar will turn the cursor into a camera and will capture just a window.

If your goal was to copy the image into another file, hold down Control while doing the above steps and your Mac will copy the image to the Clipboard so you can paste it into another document instead of making a file on your desktop.

     

You can send in your questions via the Contact page or email us at editor[AT]myfirstmac[DOT]com. Because of the volume of email we receive, we can't reply to each and every question personally. We read each question that comes in and reply to the ones that fit the scope of this column. We also save some questions for future columns.

If you need your specific question answered right away, try asking it in the Comments section of a related article or in the MFM Forums.

 
 

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Your Comments:

Hi There,
1st timer here...
I have a MAC Pro. I'm still using MS optg system on it - for now?? :-(
How do I "print screen" with my apple pro key board while opperating in a windows world?
Thank you,
David


 David
 10/13/2008  at  08:18 AM

We use Apple monitors while still operating on a PC system. The "command + Shift + 3" does not work for the print screen. Is there another option?


 Jen
 10/14/2008  at  08:45 AM

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