I'm bringing my old iTunes music into my new computer from an old backup. What do I need to look out for?
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As Apple has transitioned from using the word “iTunes” to instead using the obligatory term “Music” (way to go Apple) the folder names have changed slightly. Since you’ve not yet opened “Music” on your new Mac, just drags the old “iTunes” folder from your TM backup drive into the “Music” folder on your Mac and then open the new Music app. The application should find the old files and upgrade those files to the new music library format.

This will be the largest potential for problems from your data recovery. The music folder contains both music AND some important files that apple uses to build your playlists and other groupings. These .xml files and such need to be present and in the correct place in order for your old playlists to show up. If, for some reason, you open your Music application and see all your music but none of your playlists, you’ll need some assistance again. But hopefully those files are all in the correct place and everything should just work. If not, happy to assist. You know how to find me.

How do I connect a time machine drive? What drive size do I need?
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If you have not yet started a new time machine backup you’ll need a spare external hard drive equal to or greater than the size of your internal drive. You can temporarily get away with a smaller drive but eventually you’d grow out of that size drive as time machine wouldn’t be able to back up the entire drive if the internal drive contained more data than the external drive was able to hold. So best to do it right the first time. Buy a drive equal to or larger than the internal drive.

Secondly, if the computer doesn’t prompt you to start using the newly connected drive as a TM backup, just go into System Preferences, Time Machine and select the new drive. It may ask you if you’d like to replace an old one. Say yes and let it run. Leave it connected and time machine will periodically backup your internal computer’s hard drive.

I need to remove my time capsule from my existing network that also has another router behind it.
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You should be able to just unplug the time capsule and the ethernet cables it was using and your computer will return to preferring the previous wifi network. If will automatically go back to using the 192.168.x.x wifi network rather than the ethernet 10.0..0.x network that the time capsule was distributing.

When I click on Safari,top left begins with start page and bookmarks folder is listed below. This is different.Yes, we have time machine. Update was incremental. We have Catalina 10.15.7.All bookmarks work except financial ones. Can I call you or schedule a time to talk?
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This may be better solved if I could see your screen. Happy to assist via zoom remotely if you’d like. You can schedule using the link below. Having a hard time visualizing your problem. You could also just send a screen shot of the issue by holding down command_shift+4 then dragging over the area you’d like me to see. That will drop a screenshot onto your desktop which you could then email to me to give me a better idea of what the problem is.

I cannot update on my I pad.   Is my ipad too old?  Software update failed is the message I received. 
Thanks 
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If your iPad were too old it would not allow for a software update to even be attempted so that's not iikely to be the reason. I've had others with the same issue and I've been recommending they try directly plugging in your device into a computer and running the update from there. In 10.15 Catalina and higher you'll use a Finder window to run the update once the device is plugged in. Earlier versions of the computer OS would use iTunes/Music.

Do you repair/swap out batteries for laptops? Specifically we have a MacBook Air Retina 13 in. 2019 that no longer charges, or i have not figured out how to charge.

Also we are in need of help repairing a iPad Air 4th generation. The screen is shattered. do you have suggestions for who would repair that. UBreak-UFix doesn’t appear to do that model for some reason.
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Sorry to say I don’t do hardware repairs any longer. Batteries can often be the first thing to go on a computer as every rechargeable battery in the world has a limited number of times it can be charged and discharged. I place that number at around 450 charge cycles. After a battery has been fully depleted and recharged many times it will eventually hold less and less charge then eventually not be able to charge at all. To find the number of times your battery has cycled, you can go under the Black Apple and select “about this Mac” then under “Overview” select System Report. There’s you’ll see Power in the left column and you’ll be able to find the “cycle count”. It’s just so satisfy one’s curiosity more than anything but an interesting number to know.

Due to where some third party repair services get their replacement parts like batteries and screens, I prefer not to use the small store repair places. I would use the Apple store. While the repairs may be more expensive, you know you are getting good quality parts and an easy warranty to deal with.

Hi Scotty,
I’m trying to put together some video clips for college coaches. I get a lot of beachballs and “Out of application memory” messages. Im not sure why.




Suggestions?
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The problem looks like iMovie has what I call hanging ram. In other words, it's asking for memory but forgetting it has any and keeps asking. Therefore your entire computer runs out of memory because it keep unnessasarily giving it to iMovie. This can also be referred to as a "memory leak".

First, shut down and restart your computer. Not restart. Actually shut it all the way down. If that doesn't solve it, next reset the NVRam. To do so, hold down command+option+p+r and let the computer chime 3 times before letting go during start up. If you don't hear the receptive chimes then you would be better served using a wired keyboard. Sometimes wireless keyboards don't trigger the NVRam startup command.

If that doesn't work, we would need to go to the next level. To check system memory usage you can use Activity Montior to monitor memory pressure. (Available in the applications folder, sometimes inside Utilities folder).

Scotty, just tried updating the software on my laptop. Updating to Big Sur. Updating with it plugged into the power outlet.

I have gotten the “an error has occurred, try again” message. Tried a couple of times.

Thoughts?
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I could use a little more info. Do you already have Big Sur MacOS 11 installed and just trying to do an update or are you moving from a previous OS like Catalina or earlier?

If so, what is the previous OS installed currently?

Are you going through t App Store to get to the Big Sur download? If not, try that next instead of using the Software update tool in System preferences. If you are able to download Big Sur through the App Store it will appear in your Applications folder as "MacOS Big Sur installer" or similar. You can restart your computer and launch it from there possibly.

Lastly, it's not crucial to get to Big Sur as MacOS Monterey will be out by the end of October so you could always wait for that as well.

i have a several year old iPad with 16GB however I have about 1/2 GB of space available.  In trying to free up space I have a few questions:
Photos & Data

• i have photos of xxx GB but I am concerned about deleting them on my iPad since I am not sure if they will be deleted from my iPhone as well.  
• I'm not sure if these photos are in iCloud so it won't matter if I delete them from the device,  I'm not sure how to check or how to move to iCloud
• i have 300MB of documents and data in Chrome.  I'm not sure what that is, how to find out, and then how to delete uneeded D&D

Credit for trade in

• I have seen something recently about a credit for trading in an existing iPad for a new one.  I feel like I could benefit from an upgrade and curious if you are familiar with this program

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1. You are right. Your photos on each device are VERY likely synced so only delete pictures from a device that you are prepared to lose on all devices.
2. To check your photo library in the cloud, go to iCloud.com and log in using your appleID. You'll most likely be asked to authenticate with a 6 digit two factor code that will be sent to one of your other devices. You should see all the same pictures using that website that are on your other devices. If you don't, you may not have iCloud photos turned on in your iCloud settings on all devices.
3. Easiest way to remove associated data on your phone is to delete the app. In this case chrome. It will then remove the app and the cached data. You can then re-add the app if you'd like and it will have a smaller footprint.
4. Yes, trade in is available with Apple. They'll ask a couple questions about your previous device and determine how much credit to apply. More info available at https://www.apple.com/shop/trade-in

Not seeing the 14.8 available on my iPad yet. What's going on?

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1. iPad needs to either have over 50% battery or be plugged in.
2. iPad would need enough space.
3. iPad may be too old for update. However if it’s already on 14.x then it will definitely take 14.8. To find what iOS you’re on, go to settings/general/about

Do you know about the password app OnePass? Employee is wanting to put this on everything so we don’t have one person in charge of everything. Let me know. Thank you!!
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Password keepers have pros and cons. It comes down to one's ability to remember the master password.

Pros:

• They offer self generated extremely strong random passwords
• Allows syncing across multiple devices
• Usually have decent accompanying apps that have good layouts which allow for better organization.

Cons:

• Usually by subscription.
• If you forget the master password you are screwed.
• If you are in a situation where you just want access to a certain site but don't have that password program installed, you would need to manually type the crazy long pw.

Summation:
The way I approach this with clients comes down to my assessment of their skill level. If they are a little aggressive with tech or security then I give them the go ahead to use a password application. However, if they are a novice or have a low level of technical understanding, I steer them away.

Final thoughts:
If you have a trusted member of your staff who is eager to utilize a password app, you don't mind yet another subscription, and you are 100% confident you won't forget the master password then go ahead.