Screen Capture Dual Monitor Issue

I'm using a dual monitor setup. My screen capture software (Snap Shot) is only able to to capture whatever is the main display. I use the free hand option where I can drag/highlight a box to custom size whatever I want to screen grab, BUT it only allows me to grab it on the main display and not on the 2nd monitor. If I move the mouse to the 2nd monitor and then activate my screen capture software, nothing will activate. When I drag the mouse back to the main display, it's activated, ready to take a capture.

So the only way to screen grab whatever is on my 2nd monitor, I always have to go into Screen Resolution and change the 2nd display to become the main display, and then I can grab a screen shot. Then I have to change the settings back to the 1st monitor to be my main display. It's quite annoying and time consuming to always switch which monitor is going to be the main display.

Why can't it screen capture the 2nd monitor? Is it a settings issue or limitation of graphics cards? Or is it a limitation of the actual software im using for taking screen grabs?

I'm on Windows 7 64 bit, all updates installed, graphics cards I've tried it with both AMD Radeon 6870 and Nvidia GeForce 9400 GT.

 

Does pressing the Shift key along with the Prnt Scrn key allow for capture of both screens?

 

No, it doesn't work.

I don't do do full screen grabs. I only grab portions or parts that I want. So for example, when using Snap Shot, the hot key to activate a screen grab is SHIFT+R. Once I press that, the mouse cursor turns from the arrow into a mini cross (which means I can begin to highlight whatever part of the screen I want). But when I drag my mouse over to the 2nd display and press SHIFT+R, the mouse cursor stays an arrow and doesn't turn into a mini cross. If I try to highlight any part, it would just highlight normally like i was about move objects or delete them. Then I when I move the mouse back to the main display the arrow cursor turns right away to the mini cross cursor, meaning that it was activated while I was on the 2nd display, only it doesn't allow me to grab anything while I'm there. I had to move it back to main display to see that it was activated.

So the only way around this is for me to constantly change my main display to the 2nd display, then after grabbing, change it back to extended display.

Any other solutions or ideas?

 

I too use a multi-monitor setup (and don't understand how anyone can live with just one monitor - but I digress).

Have you tried Windows' own built-in Snipping Tool? Works great for me regardless the monitor I am capturing from.

 

thanks for the reply....yes I agree. Using 2 minimum is a must.

Yes, the windows snipping tool works fine on both main display and secondary display. The problem with windows snipping tool is that I don't think there is a way for it to automatically save whatever I capture. I always have to manually save it, and enter a file name.

Maybe there is a way to set windows snipping tool to auto save whatever I snip and auto name it in sequence? This way I can continuously take snip and after snip seamlessly without always being interrupted with the capture and having to manually save it and name it.

Snap Shot allows me to just screen grab infinitely. It will automatically save instantly whatever I snipped and named it automatically according to the date and time in the folder I specified. This way, everything is automatically sorted, organized, and saved there without me having to do anything.

Can windows snipping tool do this also?
Thanks

 

I just looked and you are right, you have to select Save as and a unique file name for each capture. I don't find that a problem because I can name it what I want then and not have to go back later, view it to see what it is, then rename it so it makes sense. But if you need automatic save and name, then the Snipping Tool will not work.

That said, just looking at the SnapShot webpage, it says it supports multiple monitors. So maybe you should send them an email about this problem.

 

Thanks, I appreciate your responses!
I will contact them and see if they know.

 

Keep us posted.