Error messages, despite being annoying, are very good tools for troubleshooting problems with your computer. If you can pass along the information in the error message to IT support staff, they might be able to decrypt it. You might also be able to search Google for the error’s particular wording, or better yet, an error code.
The problem with this, however, is that these errors can be very long, or difficult to remember – as with error codes. A simple solution would be to jot down what you need on a piece of paper and type it into your email or search field. Depending on the amount of information you need to convey, this may not be terribly efficient.
What might be an even better solution is to copy the contents of the error message to your clipboard. Simply hit Ctrl-C, as you would anywhere else within Windows. Then from there you can paste the full message into your email body. Or if you need to search for a portion of the error, paste it into Notepad and then take what you need from there.
You’ll end up with an output like this:
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Remote Desktop Disconnected
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This computer can’t connect to the remote computer.Try connecting again. If the problem continues, contact the owner of the remote computer or your network administrator.
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OK Help
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Notice that you even get the title of the error, as well as the button text.
Not only is this quicker and easier than writing out error messages on scrap paper, but it can be more accurate by negating the chance of transposing or misinterpreting letters.
I love tech, but don’t have as much time or money to spend on it as I’d like. I get what I need to sustain my Geek vicariously through other sources and pass it along to you.
