Screen capture function (Shift-Command-3 or 4) doesn't work

When I try to do a screen capture using the built-in utility, I hear the camera-click, but then get an error message saying the capture couldn't be completed because of this error: "unable to create type string". How do I fix this?
Note: I normally use Grab, but find having to convert tiffs to jpg/png annoying; I was hoping to use the built-in screen grab instead.
This problem has been happening for months, through many boots/reboots. I've repaired permissions to no avail. Any ideas?
Thx!

Lyssa is correct try restarting the Mac first, I always assume that users do this to try to fix anomalies.
Creating a new user is fairly easy and non disruptive to the Mac or the way you log in. You can simply delete the user when finished troubleshooting or keep it for later troubleshooting.
To create a new account (just to let you know how to do it).
1. Open Sys/Prefs/Account (yes accounts sorry I was thinking Tiger OS).
2. Click on the Lock at the bottom left of the window.
3. Put in your password (which should be the admin account).
4. Now the + add user button should no longer be greyed out, select the + button.
5. Give the user a name, shortname, and password. Then press Create Account.
6. Select the Keep Automatic Login when prompted.
7. Exit out of Sys/Prefs
Now to log in to the user, go to the blue Apple menu at top left corner of Desktop, Select Log off "User". You'll be prompted with a log in selection screen. Select the newly created user, enter the password then test the Screen shots.
To delete the user.
1. Open Sys/Prefs/Accounts
2. Unlock as you did previously.
3. Select the newly created user then press the - Delete User button.
4. When prompted, select the "Delete the home folder" option then press OK. And your done.
Message was edited by: iyacyas

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Hi all,
this is really a serious issue!
After upgrading to 10.6.6, I have found a bug with the Screen capture feature.
After several screen shots (CmdShift4) OSX is hanging. You can move the mouse, but everything else is frozen.
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