How to Use Your iPod for Portable Storage

There are many types of mp3 and portable music players available, but anyone who walks down a busy city street at rush hour can tell you that the iPod has become the most ubiquitous. A decade after its initial launch, iTunes now comes standard on many computers or is one of the first programs users download to accommodate their music collection. Aside from the ability to carry your favorite songs with you wherever you go, many iPod owners don’t realize just how functional this gadget can be.

While iPods can store a large number of music files, they can also provide a more general level of portable file storage. You can use your iPod to save and transport valuable computer files, documents, software, and more. As each new generation of mp3 players tend to have larger memory capacity, this is a viable option not only for portable storage but as an external drive.

1. Connect your iPod to your computer. This should be straight-forward if you’ve owned the device for awhile. If you have just purchased the player, follow the instructions enclosed in the packaging to ensure it is ready for use.

2. Once the iTunes program is open and running, select the iPod icon in the Source pane and click the tab labeled “Summary.”

3. Select either “Enable disk use” or “Manually manage music and videos.” Both of these options will allow you to use your iPod as a disk. However, be aware that choosing “Manually manage music and videos” will stop your iPod from automatically syncing with iTunes.

3. Drag files into iPod disk folder. Once you have changed your iPod settings, your iPod will appear as a disk either on your desktop or in your “My Computer” folder. Open this folder and drag files into it to store them on your iPod.

Reminder: Always eject your iPod from your computer before disconnecting. There is an eject function within iTunes, or you can right click on the disk icon and select to eject manually. Remembering to eject your iPod is particularly important when using your iPod as a storage device.

Keyboard Troubleshooting

If you begin to experience problems with your keyboard not working or some of the keys not responding, the first thing you should try is to Press CTRL+ALT+DEL (all at the same time).

Depending on what version of Windows you have, you should get the Task List. In Windows 7 you may be given a list with the last option being Start Task Manager and that is the one you select.  A box will pop up that says Windows Task Manager.

In the image above, you will see a list of all tasks currently running including this tutorial being created called “Keyboard Troubleshooting”.

On the right hand side you will see in the title bar, the word “Status”. Under the Status column it indicates which programs are running as shown in the below image.

Not the case for the example above, but on your computer check for any programs that say “Not Responding” and select the first one with a “Not Responding” status. Next, click the End Task button on the bottom of the pop-up box as shown here:

Be sure to repeat the process until all tasks labeled “Not Responding” have ended. You will need to do this one at time.  Periodically check if the keyboard will work properly.

Check the keyboard is properly connected to the computer. If the keyboard has been disconnected, try rebooting the computer.

Recommendation

Your keyboard is one of the dirtiest parts of your computer.  Practice cleaning your computer on a regular basis.  This will help maintain your keyboard.  You can purchase a can of compressed air to blow air in the tiny spaces in between your keys to remove small particles of dust.

If you have tried a number of things and your keyboard is still not working, disconnect the current one and plug in a keyboard that you know is working if one is available.   This may determine if you need to get a new keyboard or if you have a central processing unit (CPU) problem.