Instructions
Create a new image with standard screen dimensions. For an accurate use as a practical joke, check the computer's display settings for full screen dimensions.
Standard dimensions are 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x768 or 1440x900.
Set the background color to blue screen blue. If you want to use RGB settings, use R-0, G-0, B-192 as a good estimate. If you want to experiment with other shades, search Google Images for blue-screen examples. You can then sample the blue color with the eye-dropper tool to set the background color. Examples may range from R-4, G-2, B-172 to R-0, G-0, B-132.
Use an ASCII text font in white to add text to your fake blue screen. Depending on the size of your background, you'll want to adjust the font size to correlate.
If you don't already have an ASCII text font, free downloads are available online. (See "Additional Resources," below.) A short, generic blue-screen message, like those used in Microsoft Windows operating systems, may read: "A fatal exception 0E has occurred at 0048:C00688F8 in VxD VMM(01) + 000029F8. The current application will be terminated. * Press any key to terminate the application. * Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart your computer. You will lose any unsaved information in all applications. Press any key to continue."
Longer messages can include much more technical jargon. Search online for sample blue-screen images for additional text ideas.
Save your fake blue screen as a .jpg or .bmp for a broad spectrum of use in practical jokes.