What's that Key?

Printer Friendly Version |

Rating:

Total Votes: 57

Like These Tips? Get Them Free In Your E-mail Everyday!

Rate This Tip! :

We ran an article awhile back that focused on the Print Screen Key, a.k.a. “Prt Scn”. We got a really great response from this, but at the same time I had a lot of folks asking me what the heck “SysReq” was and what it was doing on the same key!

So, what does it all mean? Well, SysReq stands for System Request, which, at one time, was used to get the attention of a mainframe or central computer. Users of older IBM consoles would press the SysReq key to ask the central computer to permit input. Kind of like paging someone, only with a computer instead!

I wouldn't try pressing the SysReq key and expecting anything amazing to happen, although Linux users can configure our mystery key to provide functions for system debugging and crash recovery. Leave it to the Linux users to keep things relevant!

Note: Not all keyboards have a SysReq key, so if you don't, consider yourself modern!

~Andrew

Want to comment on this tip? Click here! We'd love to hear from you!

Do you know something helpful to add to this tip? Click Here and let us know. We'll share it with the world!

Your name:
Email:	Your email address will not be published.
Subject:
Your suggestion:	Please Note - Use this form ONLY if you have additional information you think should be added to this tip (For example, you have a better / faster way of doing it, an additional warning, etc). All submissions are moderated by WorldStart personnel and subject to our approval and / or revisions. If approved, your information will be added below for anyone visiting this page to see. If you have a comment or question, please do not use this form! Instead, use the "Tip Feedback" link above.

Suggestions from our readers!

Note: Reader suggestions may not have been tested by the Worldstart staff. Use at your own discretion

#1 : PrtScrn/SysRq Click to expand / collapse: PrtScrn and SysRq are on the same key on my keyboard. Only the Print Screen works, so the System Request is irrelevant. Written By: Woody

Like these tips? Get them for FREE in your email!

Computer Tips with MS Office Tips Newsletter

Computer Tips Daily - Run your Windows PC like a pro! No matter what your skill level, beginner or advanced, you'll find tons of valuable tips, tricks, and ideas in every issue (plus great software deals). Become the computer guru you've always wanted to be! The tip you've just read was in this newsletter!
Computer Tips Weekly - If you don't want our Computer Tips newsletter every day, then sign up for this weekly newsletter to get the best information of the week. Sent on Fridays.

Other Newsletters

Software Deals - Every week, we send out great deals in our Software Deals newsletter. Many of these deals are exclusively for our Software Deals newsletter subscribers and can't be found with our regular specials.
Just For Grins - Each issue includes a couple clean jokes, some funny quotes, and a hilarious reader's story. Newsletter is sent five days a week.

Enter Email Address:

Your e-mail address is safe with us!
We only use it to send you the newsletters you request. It is NEVER disclosed to a third party for any reason, ever! Plus, if you decided you don't like our newsletters (don't worry, you'll love them), unsubscribing is fast and easy.

Computer Tips with MS Office Tips Newsletter

See what others say!

EasyCAP USB 2.0 Video Capture Box w/Audio - $29.97