HT3728 Is it possible to use Time Capsule as external hard drive instead of back-up?

I wonder if it's possible.

Possible, but if you place the only copy of the data that you have on the Time Capsule, you then have to figure out how to back up that data to another drive.
Things may be simpler...with faster performance....if you add a USB or FireWire to your Mac, and then use the Time Machine to back up both the Mac and the hard drive to the Time Capsule.

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Using Time Capsule as external hard drive

Hi. I have a Mac Book Pro, and external hard drive, and now, a Time Capsule. Since I don't have a Mac, all photos and music (occasional backups, etc.) have been stored on the one external hard drive. I got the Time Capsule to replace the external hard drive as primary (keeping it as secondary)–in addition to using the Time Machine.
If I'm understanding correctly, I open finder, open Shared>AirPort>Data–and then drag and drop all the files currently on the external hard drive onto this window? Is this correct? Will it COPY, and be accessibe, and not cause problems?
Will it mean, as I hope it means, that my MacBook and iPad will be able to open and use iTunes and iPhoto through this AirPort? (Instead of having to plug-in the external drive.)
I'd love to use the Time Machine as well. But can hold off, continuing to back up only occassionally, since this dual purposing may not to be advised?
Thank you for your guidance.

Will there be a problem running Time Machine in the back ground while using the Time Capsule's internal hard drive manually?
No.
Thus far, instead of using Time Machine in an automated mode, I've turned it on when I want to make a new back-up. Will it be necessary to run Time Machine in manual mode only or can I use its automated feature?
Or–I may be seeing the light–will running the two in tandem allow me to save each new back-up on both devices simultaneously, keeping both drives up to date?
I would suggest that you consider changing your backup strategy. Time Machine was designed to be an automatic "run and forget" operation that performs incremental backups of your Mac's internal hard drive. It will also backup an external hard drive attached directly to your Mac. Running it manually is not very effecient and you stand the chance of not getting a very recent (they run once an hour) backup when you need it.
For Time Machine I would suggest that you continue to use your external hard drive as is and dedicate your new Time Capsule for Time Machine backups. If you still need more external storage, you can always add additional external USB hard drives to the USB port on the Time Capsule.
Even better you will also want to include a second "full-clone" method to your backup strategy. This method will make a full copy of your Mac's internal disk drive that is bootable. Why do this? In case your Mac has a fatal hard disk crash, you can use the clone backup to boot your Mac back up and continue to use it within seconds. Without the clone backup, you would first need to install a new drive, then load a fresh copy of OS X, and then, perform a restore from Time Machine. This can take a while.
To perform these clone backups, I would recommend that you get another external USB hard drive with a capacity at least twice that of your current internal drive. I use Western Digital My Passport drives for this purpose, but any similar drive should do. To create the clone backup I would suggest using either SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner.
I would suggest that you create a new clone backup at least once a month or more often if your data is critical to you. Just connect a dedicated clone drive to any available USB port on your Mac and run the clone software to make the clone backup.

Using Time Capsule as external hard drive on a PC, and beyond...

I need to achieve two separate things with my new 500GB TC. The first is to send it to a friend on the other side of the country for her to use Time Capsule with her PC as an external hard drive.
I then want to take those files (once sent back to me from CA), and put them on my computer. After that I just want to use Time Capsule with Time Machine, but I'm pretty sure I can figure that set-up out.
My question is, is this possible? And if so, what is the easiest process to tell my PC friend in order for her to connect Time Capsule as an external?
The reason I am attempting to do this is because I didn't see a need to buy an external and TC as well. The guy at the Mac store said it would be easy to do this, but I'm rather computer illiterate.
That being said, I apologize for my ignorance in regards to the use of Time Capsule, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Brody M. Nasse

Well, you just hook the Time Capsule up (either wirelessly or wired via ethernet) and for the PC you will want to install AirPort Utility, run it, and then she will be able to copy files to it. Then when it gets back to you you can run AirPort Utility (it is located in Applications/Utilities) and then access the files she put on your Time Capsule.

Can i use time capsule as external hard drive for both mac and windows

I have a mac book pro, ipad and iphone and ipod and a windows pc
Can i use time capsule as a external hard disk only for all of the above ( including windows ) without the back up activity for mac ?

You cannot access the TC from iOS devices without a browser. eg filebrowser.
Can i use time capsule as a external hard disk only for all of the above ( including windows ) without the back up activity for mac ?
Yes, with the following proviso.. the TC is not able to back itself up.. so if you store files on the TC without backups one day you will discover all your files are gone because of a hard drive failure of the TC. TM also cannot backup TC.. so you will need to buy a proper backup software.
It is also much slower than a real NAS..
And windows can be a bit painful.. especially windows 8.. other versions should work if you spend the time getting everything set right.

Want to use Time Capsule as external hard drive / Time Capsule als externe Festplatte

Can somebody tell me what steps I have to take to use my TC as an external hard drive? Thanks! / Kann mir jemand einmal genau erklären, wie ich meine Time Capsule als externe Festplatte für meine Fotos etc. nutzen kann? Mein 128 GB Mac Book Air kommt nämlich an seine Grenzen:) Brauche ich dafür eine weitere externe Festplatte oder kann ich den Speicherplatz nutzen, den die TC hat und auf dem im Moment immer die automatischen Bachups über Time Machine gespeichert werden? Danke!

There might be a big improvement in the new photo app.
The OS X Yosemite v10.10.3 update includes the new Photos app and improves the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac.
With Photos you can:
Browse your photos by time and location in Moments, Collections, and Years views
Navigate your library using convenient Photos, Shared, Albums, and Projects tabs
Store all of your photos and videos in iCloud Photo Library in their original format and in full resolution
Access your photos and videos stored in iCloud Photo Library from your Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iCloud.com with your web browser
Perfect your photos with powerful and easy-to-use editing tools that optimize with a single click or slider, or allow precise adjustments with detailed controls
Create professional-quality photo books with simplified bookmaking tools, new Apple-designed themes, and new square book formats
Purchase prints in new square and panoramic sizes
It’s easy to upgrade your iPhoto library to Photos – just open the app to get started. To learn more about Photos, visit: https://www.apple.com/osx/photos/

Using time capsule as external hard drive with air

About to go full Mac, looking for seemless integration and organization of music and photos. Can a pairing of Airbook with Time Capsule work not just as backup by as an external hard drive to acces all of my things? Adding an external HD to the Time Capsule seems excessive. Hearing that iphoto doesn't really like to be anywhere by on local drive in OS. I'm not very Mac litereate yet so any heavfy kung-fu manipulation might be more than I can bargain for at this time.
Thanks!
Toshiba Satellite
Extreme
iphone 5
ipad original
ipad mini (x2)

Well, you just hook the Time Capsule up (either wirelessly or wired via ethernet) and for the PC you will want to install AirPort Utility, run it, and then she will be able to copy files to it. Then when it gets back to you you can run AirPort Utility (it is located in Applications/Utilities) and then access the files she put on your Time Capsule.

Can I use Time Capsule as external hard drive?

I've been getting "your startup disk is almost full" message, so I bought myself a Time Capsule on the advice of a friend. My question is...can I store stuff on my Time Capsule instead of my laptop? And if so, can my computer access the info in the Time Capsule? Specifically....if I don't have my music library stored on my computer, will iTunes still be able to access my library if I want to play some music, AND would my Sonos system be able to access it?
If I've just wasted 400 bucks on something I didn't really want....what SHOULD I get to store stuff on but that I can still access via iTunes, or my Apple TV, etc?
Thanks for any help, everybody!

1. You can, but are better off putting it on a regular external drive and using the Time Capsule for backups and as a router.
2. Yes.
3. Launch iTunes with the Option key held down and choose a library on it.
4. Noting #1, a regular external drive. You can generally use any USB one, but ones not specifically intended for Macs will need to be reformatted first.
(112894)

Help using Time Capsule as external hard drive.

Hello.
I am a long time mac user however I just purchased a new MacBook Pro with a Time Capsule. I was able to get it set up for automatic backup for Time Machine. It works great. However, I'm looking to give away my old PowerMac G5 but wanted to save my 30 GB of Music Files, but I didn't want to transfer it directly to my laptop. I tried moving files directly to the TimeCapsule icon but it gives an error message, not allowing it to transfer over. How can I enable this to happen so I can use the Time Capsule hard drive easier? Thank you!
Andrew Trippi
[email protected]

Bob --
Thank you so much. That explains why it will not transfer because, yes, I was transferring it into the shared icon. However, you wrote about click the icon -- I'm not sure which icon you are referring to. I'm trying to click the icon under the shared menu and nothing happens. Is this icon representing the time capsule somewhere else?
Thanks so much!!
Andy

Use time capsule as external hard drive

Hi, I'd like to know if can I use my time capsule as an external wi-fi hard drive, I just want to copy selected files to it, and call them when I need it, thanks!

OK.. I am going to do battle on this one.
The OP asked..
I'd like to know if can I use my time capsule as an external wi-fi hard drive, I just want to copy selected files to it, and call them when I need it, thanks!
I took the JUST seriously.. he just wants to use it for external wifi hard drive.. so how does he get internet and how is the TC connected into the mixture..
We cleared that up.. he then asked.
My question is, can I use that "hard drive" to save some info that I use frecuently (I'm a recording studio owner and I have a lot of recording sessions) So, I'd like to save it in my time capsule and call them whenever I want
Now if you were advising somebody for external storage of recording sessions.. as a studio owner.. ie this is a business and recording sessions are pretty valuable I imagine.. and pretty big.. would you in all honest recommend a Time Capsule..
You already stated you would not recommend it in business and then you want to fight me because I did not recommend it.. ???
He also said the files are used frecuently (sic).. and is the TC suitable for frequently used files.. each time you access the file the hard disk has to spin up.. as it is designed to spin down within a min of inactivity.. and that spin down cannot be reset.. because the TC is designed as a backup target for Time Machine not a NAS.. try it yourself.. open a file on a stopped TC and see how long it takes before the TC is ready to even respond.. and open the file. Many applications will toss up errors if they cannot open a file within a few seconds.. this will be a constant problem if directly using the files on the TC.

Can i use time capsule as another hard drive?

Can I use time capsule as another hard drive?

You can, but it was not really designed for that purpose. Access to files will be quite a bit slower than a drive that is directly attached to your computer.
The Time Capsule's main function is as a back up device using the Time Machine application.
If you are using it already for Time Machine, it is generally not a good idea to mix Time Machine backups and regular files on the same drive as there will be struggle for space when the drive starts to fill up.

Can i use time capsule for external h drive and also for time machine?

Can i use time capsule for external h drive and also for time machine?

Hello, vascocaco.
If I understand correctly, you're wondering if you can use your Time Capsule's internal hard disk both for Time Machine backups and as an ordinary drive. Is this your question?
You can, but Time Machine backups may take longer.
To do it, you should partition your Time Capsule's hard disk to create one volume for the backups and one for other files.

Please Help - Time Capsule and External hard drive Issues

Recently, I switched from Comcast to AT&T uverse as my internet provider and I started experiencing problems.
(1) I have a 4th generation Apple Time Capsule which I am using as my router.
(2) Connected to the Apple Time Capsule - USB - is an external hard drive (not for backup with Time Machine.)
(3) I have a 2011 Macbook pro which I use to access my file on my time capsule and external hard drive.
(4) I had been using my AT&T portable Hotspot from my cell phone to get internet access on my MacBook pro from remote locations to gain access to my external hard drive which is attached to the time capsule.
(5) On August 2, 2014, I switched from Comcast to AT&T and had the AT&T turn off the router function. (I have been using the router from my apple time capsule)
(6) Under Network I switched to bridge mode.
(7) And since August 2, 2014 my time capsule has not been backup.
THE PROBLEM - I need to be able to use the hotspot function from my cell phone to gain access on the external hard drive using my MacBook Pro which I was able to do before. Now it is showing time capsule under finder but unable to connect.
Do I need to reset my Time Capsule since I have a new service provider. Everything else works fine - meaning able to get internet signal but unable to access my external hard drive and backup my time capsule. Please HELP.

(5) On August 2, 2014, I switched from Comcast to AT&T and had the AT&T turn off the router function. (I have been using the router from my apple time capsule)
(6) Under Network I switched to bridge mode.
(7) And since August 2, 2014 my time capsule has not been backup.
If you got ATT to turn off router function in their modem..
Then 6. is wrong.. You cannot have the Network switched to bridge mode..
You must have it set to dhcp and nat.
That is also why you cannot backup.. the TC is off the network.
Please change back to router mode in the TC.
Ensure the internet tab shows dhcp and you create a wireless network.
Then power down the TC... power down the ATT modem.. wait about 20min (you can try 5min.. but it might not be long enough).
Power up the ATT modem.. wait 2min for things to flash lights in de right blinkin order.. then start the TC.
Open the airport utility and make sure your TC captured the public IP and is now working as the router.
That should fix that end of it.. the hotspot end??
Tell us what happens.

Can you use time capsule as a hard drive

Can i use timecapsule as a external hard drive to store pictures and access them but not as a back up

Yes it can be mounted as an external HDD in finder and you can drag and drop on and off.

How to backup MacBook Pro without AirPort Time Capsule or External hard drive

How to backup MacBook Pro without AirPort Time Capsule or External hard drive

This is crude but if you need a work around, just plug the USB drive directly into the iMac.. copy the files to it.. then plug it into the TC.
You also do not need to use the TC as an intermediary between your iMac and MBP.. just turn on sharing in the computer.. so you can directly copy files from one to the other.. Macs have public access directory preconfigured for each user account.
As far as mounting the TC..
In finder use Go, Connect to server.. and type.
AFP://TCname or TCipaddress
Where TCname is the actual name of the TC.. I strongly recommend you follow SMB network rules.. ie if your TC has a name like
Fred Blog's Time Capsule 2445566.
It is too long.. it has spaces and it has non-alphanumeric characters.
Shorten it to FredTC
No spaces no characters that are NOT alphanumeric.
TCIPaddress is simply the standard IP.
You can also use CIFS://TCname which according to the article forces the connection back to SMB1 rather than SMB2 which as usual is broken.
But I would definitely use AFP if possible. I cannot understand the decision to move to SMB as standard.

Use Time Capsule as a Hard Drive via Ethernet for Time Machine

Hi Folks
To summarise a very very long story here goes;
- About 12 months ago my father in law buys a Time Capsule without really knowing what it is for and how it works (I know don't ask!!!!!)
- I set it up for him connected to his wireless router so he uses his router to access the internet and uses the Time Capsule to back up his iMac via wireless with Time Machine. (from what I can see he could have saved himself some cash and just bought an external Hard Drive and connect it via USB to the iMac for Time Machine, but never mind. He has 1 iMac and no other Mac's in the household. His printer is connected to his iMac via USB in the same room and he uses a wireless router to access the internet, since the phone point is in another room)
- All is well until Monday when he tells me he cannot access the internet. After much much trial and error I have eventually managed to get his internet back up and running, but he has somehow managed to erase his Time Capsule.
- I set his Time Capsule back up as it was previously and it starts performing the initial backup again. However at the rate its taking I think it will take well in excess of 24hrs to do that initial
backup. Also so far It has failed 3 times during this initial backup and I get an error message stating it's failed. The setup guide makes reference to performing the initial backup via ethernet as it's quicker.
I'm thinking the best way forward would be to just plug the Time Capsule into the iMac via ethernet and use it purely as a Hard Drive for use with Time Machine. I've tried just plugging in the ethernet cable from the Time Capsule to the iMac, but it doesn't recognise it. Bear in mind that it currently works via wireless, do I need to perform some sort of factory reset or how do I go about telling the the iMac to no longer use the Time Capsule wireless, but just connect via ethernet instead.
Of course I could just forget about the Time Capsule all together and tell him to get a 500gb USB External Hard Drive, plug that in and set up Time Machine with that instead.
Am I missing the point here and can the Time Capsule do a lot more for him, given his current setup.
Thanks

That is true but if you mix your files with the Time Machine backups, Time Machine will have trouble contril disk space when it gets low.
If you are going to do that it is recommended that you partition the drive. Since Time Capsule is not able to partition the drive that means you will have to remove it in order to partition it.
A simple solution IMO is to get another external drive and hang it on the USB bus in the Time Capasule.
Allan

HT3728 Is it possible to use Time Capsule as external hard drive instead of back-up?

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