Easy when you know how

Every problem is easy to fix when you know how. In the last couple of weeks I learned how to fix a weird keyboard problem, and how to transfer iTunes playlists to a new computer.

 

A long-time customer reached out to me because suddenly the keyboard on his laptop was unresponsive. When he pressed any key, nothing appeared on the screen, but there was a click each time he pressed a key. And by the way, the mouse and the track pad worked fine.

He tried the normal things. Rebooting the computer didn’t help. Plugging in an external keyboard didn’t help either, and the clicking noise was there when he typed on the external keyboard. What the heck?

It took me awhile to track this one down, but the major clue was when the customer’s wife said she had inadvertently held down the shift key for a long time. It turns out there’s a feature called Filter Keys, and by default Windows activates it whenever you hold the right Shift key down for more than eight seconds.

To turn this thing off in any version of Windows:

• Use your mouse to get to Control Panel
• Click on Ease of Access
• Click on Make the keyboard easier to use (I know. Hilarious, right?)
• Clear the checkmark from the box that says Turn on Filter Keys
• Click on Apply or Save/OK

If you’re prone to holding down that Shift key and want to turn off the eight second activation:

• Click on Set up Filter Keys
• Clear the check mark from the box that says Turn on Filter Keys when right SHIFT is pressed for 8 seconds
• Click on Save/OK

But what IS it? Filter Keys is an accessibility function that tells the keyboard to ignore brief or repeated keystrokes, in order to make typing easier for users with hand tremors. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FilterKeys) If you have hand tremors, you might want to turn it on. If not, it’s good to disable the doggone thing.

If you ask me, iTunes is one of the most craptasticiTunes pieces of software in the history of mankind forever. But I have to keep it around to sync up my podcasts to my iPod and because so many of my customers use iTunes. If I could sync to my iPod without it, I would celebrate.

When I set up a new computer for someone and transfer the files from the old one, I have a program that automates the process, including bringing over the iTunes library and settings. I don’t even have to think about what’s going on under the hood; I just let the program do the work. But when someone had already transferred the library and couldn’t get the playlists over, I actually had a chance to research and understand the playlist solution.

It’s easy when you know how!

• Go to the old PC and locate the file called "iTunes Music Library.xml" (See this article if you don’t know where to look: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201610)
• Copy that file and bring it over to the new machine (Use a flash drive, transfer it over the network, whatever. Just get it on the new machine.)
• Open iTunes and import the file. Click on File | Library | Import Playlist
• Navigate to the .xml file you brought over from the other machine
• Click on Open

Your playlists should import, and most of the time they do. This, perhaps the least intuitive procedure I’ve ever seen, will work on a Mac, too.

Have you fixed something interesting lately? Would you care to share your story? Email [email protected] and I’ll pass along the good stuff with full credit to you!

 

Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your home or business computer get along!

Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna (http://computercarekelowna.com/) a mobile service helping home users and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and suggestions. Send email to [email protected].

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