Mute Button Doesn't Work

Question

Level 1

4 points

Mute Button Doesn't Work

My laptop has a mute button on the keyboard which does work in general. I just installed iTunes 7.1.1.5. When I am playing music and I hit the keyboard "mute" button, the computer mutes for a second and then unmutes - so the mute button (essentially) does nothing. This problem has only occured since I upgraded (I did not have this problem with previous versions) and does not occur when either iTunes is paused or iTunes is not open at all. Thank you,
Michael

Dell-Inspiron 600m, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Mar 28, 2007 8:53 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

John Lockwood

Level 6

13,697 points

Apr 20, 2007 6:01 AM in response to Vger2357

My laptop has a mute button on the keyboard which
does work in general. I just installed iTunes
7.1.1.5. When I am playing music and I hit the
keyboard "mute" button, the computer mutes for a
second and then unmutes - so the mute button
(essentially) does nothing. This problem has only
occured since I upgraded (I did not have this problem
with previous versions) and does not occur when
either iTunes is paused or iTunes is not open at all.

This problem was introduced in iTunes 7.1 (or possibly reintroduced). It certainly did not affect 7.0. It only happens when iTunes is running and is NOT the front-most Application.

It really hacked me off when this happened because I normally leave iTunes running in the background while running Media Center 2005. iTunes can then share the library across my network and also automatically download podcasts.

The culprit is a DLL in the iTunes application and is in the following location…

C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesKeyboardCompatibility.dll

I initially tried iTunes 7.1.1 (did not fix it), then a couple of third party tools for remapping media keys which claimed to help (but did not), and finally bit the bullet and tried another tip which is to replace the above DLL file with a folder using EXACTLY the same name including the .dll extension. This does work and I can now use the Microsoft Media Center remote control to mute the volume etc. even with iTunes running in the background.

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Answer 2

Jun 18, 2007 3:18 AM in response to Vger2357

iTunes 7.2 removes the problem that caused iTunes 7.1 to break the mute and volume buttons. In other words, with iTunes 7.2 Apple have reverted to the behaviour of iTunes 7.0.

Some people are disappointed about this because it means they cannot control iTunes in the background (only in the foreground) but I, and I would guess other contributors to this thread, am happy.

On a different but related topic, Boot Camp 1.3 breaks the mute, volume and eject buttons on an Apple keyboard (they do not work at all), the work around here is to reinstall just the Keyboard driver software from Boot Camp 1.2 (to do this run the individual installer, not the main full installer). You will need to reboot afterwards.

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Answer 3

Mar 28, 2007 9:23 PM in response to Vger2357

Depending on the function of your computer's mute button it may be attempting to call a function in iTunes which was changed. If your system allows, change the mute button to mute the system sound instead of trying to mute the player output. Also, check for updates for your system with it's manufacturer.

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Answer 4

Apr 6, 2007 10:18 AM in response to Vger2357

Have the same problem on both my PCs with a keyboard mute button. Keyboards are HP but PCs are different manufacturers. I found the mute button works fine with iTunes shut down but not when it's running or minimized.

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Answer 5

Topher17

Level 1

0 points

Apr 26, 2007 8:44 AM in response to John Lockwood

Thanks Bro, this has been the biggest friggin nuisance since I finally succumed to the pressure of that little window asking me to upgrade (I know I could check the box, but that always feel's irresponsible) and then after "upgrading" to the newest version: Itunes 7.1.1, I couldn't mute stuff when the phone would ring and pretend I was still working! Just kidding! But really, thanks for the help.

Topher

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Answer 6

May 3, 2007 9:55 PM in response to John Lockwood

This problem has been annoying me so much that I:
- Upgraded to 7.1.1.x as soon as I knew there was a new version, hoping they'd fixed it.
- discovered these forums hoping to report the bug
- created an account merely to post a complaint message.

But then I discovered your post, and it was such a simple resolution. (Much rejoicing.)

So I use my newly created account to thank you. I wish you well.

Anyone else who reads this when having this problem, yes, he means create a new folder. Not create a file. I was curious about that too, but it works.

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Answer 7

Obno

Level 1

0 points

May 4, 2007 11:08 AM in response to Bluebehir

John, thank you very much. I read your FIX and I didn't think i had read it correctly: give a FOLDER the same name as the FILE? How does that work? haha - oh well, it worked and you rock for figuring it out.

Thank you.

Greg

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Answer 8

Apr 19, 2007 7:35 AM in response to Vger2357

I have the same problem. The mute button can not be configured on my laptop so there is nothing I can do about it (except check for iTunes updates daily).

Apple please, pimp my mute button!

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Answer 9

Apr 25, 2007 10:18 PM in response to John Lockwood

Thanks John for the fix, it works flawlessly with my G15 keyboard. I went ahead and posted your fix (with credit given) on the Logitech forums as well.

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Answer 10

Jun 4, 2007 12:14 PM in response to John Lockwood

Thanks for the fix man.
It was driving me absolutely insane.

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Answer 11

Tåke.no

Level 1

0 points

Jul 17, 2007 11:28 AM in response to Vger2357

My mediabuttons used to work atleast with 7.0. Now....... NADA!! Argghehgh

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