Airport issues with time capsule

I've searched the forum, but haven't found a solution to my problem on here. I have a macbook pro and a 500 GB time capsule, and am using airport for wireless internet access through the time capsule. Everything has been working fine for about 3 months, time machine does regular back ups. However, just recently when it attempts to do a back up, the airport loses the network connection and I can't access the time capsule or the interent, and the back up fails. When i check the status of airport, it is turned off, and when I attempt to turn it back on, nothing happens...? Can anyone help or know of a possible solution???

I'm having the same problem with my Time Capsule, which is my TM drive for my MacBook and my wi-fi router for all the notebooks on my netowrk (and ethernet-connected to the desktop Gateway PC running Vista). One of the reasons I bought it (besides not wanting to be tethered to a portable HD) was because with my old Netgear wi-fi router I kept losing my internet connection. Worked fine for a week and a half, but then I started losing the connection on my MacBook. Was also having problems with some of my cordless phones (5.8GHz)not getting dial tone. Friend suggested changing the TC's wireless channel, so I went into AirPort Utility and changed it from Automatic to 8. I got a window warning me the TC might not be available for a while, which is the understatement of the year. Now (even 2 hrs later) when I run AirPort Utility it tells me "no Apple wireless devices were found" and my network doesn't appear on the AirPort Status menu; on my husband's WinXP laptop my network has also disappeared. I rebooted and rebooted my MacBook (to no avail--previously, it brought back my network). I'm typing this from the desktop PC Ethernet-connected to the TC which is in turn Ethernet-connected to the cable modem, so I know there's nothing wrong (right now) with my cable modem or ISP. I am afraid to unplug and replug the TC, as I might lose even this hard-wired connection. Oh, and the friggin' phones still don't work. (Only one phone in the house gets a dial tone and it's a cordless identical to the others!).
HELP!!!!!!!!! Apple Care is on vacation for the holiday, apparently.

Similar Messages

Replacing older airport extreme with time capsule

I am thinking of replacing my airport extreme with time capsule. I had a lot of problems setting up airport extreme a few years ago - now it is very reliable. I don't want to have the same issues with time capsule. Can I simply physically replace the airport extreme with time capsule using the same settings as previously
Advice gratefully anticipated

Welcome to the discussion area, pancuronium!
You will use AirPort Utility on your Mac for this operation:
(Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility)
Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup
Click the File menu at the upper left corner of the screen near the Apple icon
Click Export Configuration File
Assign a name to the file and save it to a convenient location like the desktop
When you are ready to install the Time Capsule....
Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup
Click the File Menu
Select Import Configuration File
Navigate to locate the file that you exported to import all the settings into a new configuration for the Time Capsule
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

How do I add an Airport Extreme with Time Capsule to an existing non-Apple network?

How do I add an Airport Extreme with Time Capsule to an existing non-Apple network? I have an ISP provided wireless Router that has to remain as the base station. I am able to join my 1/2TB Airport Extreme and Airport Express to the network, but I can't access/use Time Machine.

One option would be to connect the Time Capsule (TC) to the ISP-provided wireless router by Ethernet. You can then configure the for a roaming network. Then, depending on what your goal is for the AirPort Express, you can either: 1) Add it to roaming network, 2) Configure the TC & the Express for an "extended" network, or 3) Configure the Express to "join" the roaming network for AirPlay.

I am having problems configuring airport express with time capsule

Hi,
I am having problems setting up airport express (old version) with time capsule. It was working perfectly fine with my old router, Airport Extreme (b/g).
I have tried to reset the Airport Express, and now I am having problems finding it in my personal networks. Not too sure what exactly is going on, other than it was working less than a day ago, and now I can't even locate it on the network to configure.
Anyone have any suggestions? I have already tried a hard reset, and no luck so far.

There are 3 types of resets.
1. Soft
2. Hard
3. Factory
Try a factory reset.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044
Joseph Kriz

Want to migrate AirPort router with Time Capsule to AP/Time Capsule ONLY

My office's AirPort with Time Capsule is currently configured as the Internet Gateway. I want to switch it over to act as a WiFi Access Point (and yes keep the Time Capsule) ONLY, as I will be using a Cisco router as the Internet Gateway. I assume what I want to use to do that is "Bridge Mode". Am I correct?
Second part of this, will the users that are using the Time Capsule still be able to connect to the Time Capsule without losing any backup data, as I will be changing the IP address of the AirPort (currently set to 10.0.0.1, will move it to say 10.0.0.10)? Will there need to be anything done on the individual Macs, or will it automatically update the IP address of where the Time Capsule is?
I hope this makes sense.

wb6vpm wrote:
My office's AirPort with Time Capsule is currently configured as the Internet Gateway. I want to switch it over to act as a WiFi Access Point (and yes keep the Time Capsule) ONLY, as I will be using a Cisco router as the Internet Gateway. I assume what I want to use to do that is "Bridge Mode". Am I correct?
Yes, just select under the network tab.. off bridge mode.
The TC plugged into the CIsco router via its WAN port.
Although that is convention rather than necessary.. in bridge all ports are LAN.. the router function is removed.
Second part of this, will the users that are using the Time Capsule still be able to connect to the Time Capsule without losing any backup data, as I will be changing the IP address of the AirPort (currently set to 10.0.0.1, will move it to say 10.0.0.10)? Will there need to be anything done on the individual Macs, or will it automatically update the IP address of where the Time Capsule is?
I hope this makes sense.
Makes good sense.. the name of the TC is the basis by which the computer finds it.. not its IP address unless you have actually used IP manually in finder.
You may find it difficult at first.. all the computers will need a reboot so they get IP address from the Cisco router and not from TC.. once that goes forward.. everything should be fine..
If you run into trouble, it is not hard.. See A4 here.
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Reset TM and simply go through the process to locate the backup target. TM will then locate the old backup.

Issues with Time Capsule (4th gen).. or Airport Utility?

I have som abstract issues with my Time Capsule. After some recent downtime with my ISP I thought I'd start digging around in the Time Capsules settings using the Airport Utility. Thing is though, when/if the TC shows up in the utility and I click it, it spins around at reading my settings for awhile, then I lose the connection to it entirely, it disappears from Airport Utility and I lose WiFi AND ethernet connection for a good five-or-so minutes. The unit still shows a green light.
I have a tiny bit more luck if I use Airport Utility in Windows 8.1 running through Bootcamp. I can click the Time Capsule without it "shutting down" on me and I can restart the unit through the software, but as soon as I try to change any settings or even enter my password to do so, the same thing happens.
This has happened to me in the past around 2012/2013. My first Time Capsule broke down and I had it replaced, the replacement unit did this to me as well, with the addition of WiFi not working at all so I had that replaced for a unit with the same issue... I kept this cycle replacing up and after about four or five Time Capsules I got the one I have right now which I ONCE managed to install and set up properly, but only through Windows and not OSX.
I just don't know what to do. I can't update the firmware because the airport utility can't read the settings properly as mentioned above, so I don't know if this issue is fixed through an update. Is this a common issue with the 4th gen Time Capsule? As I had it (or something like it) happen to four of the four or five units I've had I could guess it is..?
Any tips or hints, some obvious setting in OS X I could have accidentally

That is quite a story.
The Gen4 up to recently I would say was clearly the best TC they made.. finally got out most of the bugs and it ran cool enough to survive at least the 3years they should. (You cannot hope for too much more in domestic grade routers now).
But there has now come up a heap of strange issues. Mostly the units just die.. but the use of Mavericks is also causing some problems.
It is possible to do this manually even in Mavericks and even using v6 utility.. although IMHO the v5 utility is a lot better.
I hope you have already got a replacement for your TC in terms of network. Anything you do here might remove the settings that work and you will be unable to put them back.. so don't start until you can know that a bypass is possible.
Also I would like you to do this a special way. And we have a problem immediately..
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)
You must have ethernet. Do you have another computer with ethernet.. ?? Or can you get a friend to help with a laptop, PC or Mac that still has ethernet. Otherwise you need to buy a Thunderbolt to ethernet adapter which are not too expensive. And well worth having.
You need to factory reset the TC and do this in full network isolation.
So one ethernet LAN port of the TC to the computer. Computer has no internet connection and no wireless on.
1. Do the factory reset.
The Factory Reset universal
Unplug your TC/AE. Hold in reset. and power the TC/AE back on.. all without releasing reset and keep holding in for about 10sec. The time is not important.. it is the front LED rapid flashing that indicates you are in factory mode.
Release reset.
If it doesn’t flash rapidly you have released reset at some point and try again.
Be Gentle! Feel the switch click on. It has a positive feel.. add no more pressure after that.
TC/AE will reboot after a couple of minutes with default factory settings and will wipe out previous configurations.
No files are deleted on the hard disk.. No reset of the TC deletes files.. to do that you use erase from the airport utility.
2. Manually setup the TC by ethernet.
I have done this setup with screenshots in this thread. If you would please follow that.. anything you don't follow just ask.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5800974?tstart=0

Installation issues with Time Capsule and Airport express

I hope I'm not over sharing, but I want to get as much info out as possible.
I just purchased a 4th generation Time Capsule and have two 1st gen Airport Expresses, which have always worked flawlessly. The TC is about 6 feet from the cable modem, the first Express is about an additonal 15' away pluged into the power strip with the entertainment equipment. The second AE is an additional 20' further. When "trying" to use the internet via wi-fi in my office, even though the icon on the top of the screen & airport utility shows full connectivity, but in reality I have very slow or no wi-fi.
The TC wireless mode is Create a wireless network, internet connection sharing - share a public IP addressand. Both the AE's wireless mode is Extend a wireless network. The internet correction - connection sharing is off.

Your TC replaced what?
Are you extending on 2.4ghz?
There is a chance the TC is lower than the router it replaced.. you may need to get the second Express closer to get a good signal so it can extend properly.. the idea is to have the express in about the centre of signal strength not distance.. use your laptop if you have one with a wireless analysis program like istumbler to find the signal at the TC from say 3M.. at the express 1 and at the express 2. Work out if the signal is too low and move them as appropiate.
Or.. think the arrangement and use something like EOP adapters direct to your office.. they can work hugely better than wireless. (or just as badly.. depending on the house wiring).

Fix *most but not all* issues with Time Capsule, Time Machine and 10.5.3

There are so many posts related to this issue, that I just wanted to create one short post with a how to fix / quick tips that seems to work for most but granted not all
Issues: Cannot backup, gets stuck into preparing phase or backup volume seems to be corrupted or not working. User was able to use TM with TC w/o problems before update to 10.5.3
1) Turn off TM
2) reboot TC (unplug and plug back in or do it via Airport Utility)
3) Disable energy saving and screen saving features (* see remark at the end)
4) reboot iMac, Macbook or whatever you are using
5) go to finder, unmount the backup volume
6) force a manual backup in TM
7) it will take up to 30 minutes preparing backup and then it should work
(*) I found that if the Mac enters into sleep mode or a password protected screensaver sometimes the backup gets interrupted and one get an error message. This seems like a bug and I reported it to Apple.

Hi! I've had the same problem and in my case I even couldn't access the Time Machine with the Airport Utility though I was properly connected with the network. Now it seems to work, and here's what I did:
- I did a hard reset of TC by pressing the reset button for 5 sec. until the light starts flashing
- I set up the whole network/airport/tc preferences again (what you always have to do after hard reset)
- I manually startet a backup.
When I manually started the back up for the first time, the TM preferences said "Preparing" and then stopped without backing up anything.
I restarted the backup again (manually) and finally it worked like described in this post: "Preparing" for roughly half an hour.
In this time, Time Capsule/Machine finds out, what files needed to be backed up. After that Preparation period, time machine started backing up as usual.
All you have to do is hard resetting and setting up the Time Capsule from new. You DO NOT have to delete the hard drive!!!
Message was edited by: DoubleMumboJumbo
Message was edited by: DoubleMumboJumbo

Security Issues with Time Capsule Especially now on MobileMe

Hi there,
I connect my cable modem directly to my Time Capsule WAN port. My TC creates a closed wireIess network using DHCP that is secured with WPA2. I then connect my Macbook to this via Ethernet and/or Airport. I set my Time Capsule to share a public IP address for all my devices on my wireless network and enable NAT so that my Macbook is the default host. On my Macbook i turn on my firewall and only allow connections to iTunes and Appigo Sync. I also enable Printer Sharing. As I am a Civil Servant I have alot of sensitive files on my TC and MacBook. Now that i have subscribed to MobileMe, i am even more concerned about security. Could you please tell me if this is the best settings i could use to ensure my privacy?
Also, what are cupsd, krb5kdc, nmbd and smbd and should I allow them through my firewall?
Thanks!

Hi Duane,
Thanks for your suggestion. I tried it but it doesnt seem to work - back to my mac just will not be enabled as long as NAT is not enabled. I'm actually trying to reinstate my back to my mac encryption certificate by stopping and starting back to my mac, which i can do when i disable my firewall, enable file and screen sharing as well as NAT. Come to think of it, since the certificate still isnt issued even when i do that, it still doesnt solve my problem. Is there another way of doing this? Really appreciate your help.
Ric

DHCP issues with Time Capsule

When I connect my MBP via direct ethernet cable, I have no issue. However, when I connect my Time Capsule to the modem and try and connect using wifi I do not get any joy.
The cable modem I use come from TekSavvy in Canada and seems to function correctly when connecting my MBP directly. However, the Time Capsule does not connect. I have used the Airport Utility and it looks as though the IP address shown is wrong -- I have renewed the DHCP lease when connected by ethernet -- and I wonder if that is problem. When I use the edit function, there is a button to renew the DHCP lease but when I click it nothing seems to happen.
This set up was working without issue two days ago. I woke up to find that my modem was not 'provisioning'. I called my ISP who have cleared that error but now I can not connect through my Time Capsule.
Any thoughts?
E

This set up was working without issue two days ago. I woke up to find that my modem was not 'provisioning'. I called my ISP who have cleared that error but now I can not connect through my Time Capsule.
Any thoughts?
This was looking pretty easy and standard problem until this point... ahhh... why do things work and then stop working.. hard to say. Cable being a fairly mysterious thing at the best of times.
Several things matter..
Did it work only only one computer.. when it was working, were you able to have several devices connected.. if you only tested with one, it could have always been wrong.
I need you to clarify...
When I connect my MBP via direct ethernet cable, I have no issue. However, when I connect my Time Capsule to the modem and try and connect using wifi I do not get any joy.
Direct ethernet cable to the Modem or to the TC??
When you swap over and plug the TC into the modem, are you power cycling the modem.. this is essential unless the modem is also working as a router.
Tell us modem model and if you know which it is .. modem or router and if running in router mode.. otherwise tell us the IP you get when you plug the MBP into the modem by ethernet.. assuming that is the case.
Power cycle the modem for at least 20min whenever you swap.. some ISP will accept less.. 5min.. and some require more, several hours. Check with the ISP for time required.
What model TC and is it in router mode?
What firmware is it running?
I have renewed the DHCP lease when connected by ethernet -- and I wonder if that is problem. When I use the edit function, there is a button to renew the DHCP lease but when I click it nothing seems to happen.
Please post a screenshot of the IP you get.. or tell us the details.. You can blank out or cover the last numbers if you are actually getting public IP.. but if private IP leave it.. as it is irrelevant if you post it.

Ethernet Issues with Time Capsule and Airplay

I am running OSX v10.9.2. I have a 3-week old 3TB Time Casule (TC) connected by Ethernet cable to a DSL modem. I broadcast our wireless network from the TC rather than from the DSL modem because of the faster speed that TC provides. My computers (iMac also 3 weeks old) and a Windows laptop are connected to the network via a fibre optic cable LAN. There are also three 2nd generation Airport Express modules which I use to push music around the house.
When I connect my iMac to the WiFi network, I have zero problems reaching Time Capsule, backing up my iMac using Time Machine or pushing music throughout the house.
However, when I switch to Ethernet (my preferred network access), the TC and the Airport Express units drop (have orange warning signs in Airport Utility). Additionally, TC drops from my “finder shared menu” (but oddly enough, not each and every time). When this happens, I switch to WiFi and all returns to normal.
Since I prefer using Ethernet, what can I do to eliminate this problem…or is this something that I need to wait for Apple to address/resolve? I was online with Apple Support and they claim the problem stems from the OSX Firewall and that I use bitDefender as a virus protector. However, when I disable them (and restart the computer each step of the way), the problem is not solved. It may work for about a minute or 2 (only after restart) but then it all drops.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

You might need to explain a bit more as fibreoptic hookups in a house are too expensive for most of us. Fibre technology is well developed but not at home level routers and switches... so unless you are using enterprise level stuff I don't know how to test it.
You do need to understand something.. the airport utility at least is 100% dependent on wireless now. It has taken me ages to understand that simple point. v5 utility was happy with either ethernet or wireless.. but the actual connections to the wireless routers as far as the OS in the computer is concerned is totally wireless. Even if you use ethernet your wireless should also be active. Just make sure it is second on the list of networks so whenever ethernet is up, it is preferred over wireless.
There is a big FATT BUTT here.. I do not like running wireless and ethernet simultaneously as I found it slows the network.. even if the order is correct. But I have not done the tests on Mavericks with the newest AC model TC. It definitely causes slow downs on earlier OS.
It is not actually possible to avoid the wireless issue .. although you can manually mount the disk in finder. That should stop it dropping out.. mostly.
Another BIG FATT BUTT.. you need to mount by IP not network names.. I have found in Mavericks network names drop in and out like a yoyo. So the only reliable method is using IP addresses. That means you need static IP on the TC at least, which is no problem as long as it the main router. If you have it in bridge, use the dsl modem to fix the IP of the TC via dhcp reservations. Or set static IP on it.
Then you go to Finder.. Go in the top menu, Connect to server.
Type in AFP://TCIPaddress
eg at default. AFP://10.0.1.1
It will search and discover the TC, and then request a password.. this is your disk access password on the TC, mostly set to device access password. It is public by default. Most likely the setup wizard will have forced you to change it.
Don't forget to save it in your keychain.
Will this fix it.. hmmm no.. probably not??
There are more bugs here than you can poke a stick insect at.
Perhaps once a week you will need to reboot everything... If it is daily or hourly.. then something more needs doing.
I do strongly recommend everything on the network using SMB names.. Not apple naming convention. Since Mavericks is now using SMB networking protocol by default.
Fix it everywhere on everything. Keep names short, no spaces and stick to pure alphanumeric.
Tell us if it helps or even if not.. !!

Issues with Time Capsule or Home Network Setup

I have the following network:
{if this image does not come through well here is a link to one: http://daviddwight.smugmug.com/photos/i-WTzcHBn/0/XL/i-WTzcHBn-XL.jpg }
Bill of Materials:
2Wire DSL Modem (also set up making a wireless network)
Ethernet running from Modem to Apple Time Capsule (also making a wireless network)
Time Capsule hooked to 27" iMac (OS 10.7.2) via Ethernet
Time Capsule hooked to a powered USB Hub
2 printers connected to hub
2 external disk drives connected to hub
wireless devices are an xBox, 2 iPod touches, and iPhone, an iPad, a MacBook and an AirPort Express hooked to a Stereo
I have an AirPort Express I don't use
The iMac Time Machine uses the Time Capsule
Everything works except:
the AirPort Express music drops out often
but more importantly I want to have the MacBook use a partition on one of the external disk drives for its Time Machine storage - it always has trouble mounting the drive, it will crank for hours and then give an error
Every once in a while I get an error that says something like "another device already using this IP address"
I think I may have a problem with DHCP or NAT or something
Can someone help provide some advice

Nice pic!!
Is the imac and MBP using Lion?
Is the TC running 7.6 firmware?
Has the issue existed since you put this together or happened subsequent to firmware or OS upgrades?
To some extent what you answer to the above will alter the advice.. but I would try a network rearrange which I know is a real pain.. a lot of work and I cannot promise it will solve things.. but I would like you to run the modem in router mode and the TC in bridge. Set a very short dhcp lease on the 2wire.. 10min.. the renewal of IP will not affect network performance in signifcant way.. but will help keep arp tables up to date.
Use manual setup for wireless on the TC.. fix the channels and make sure security is set WPA2 with a decent passkey.. and set all the names of things (and passwords) to no spaces.. no special characters.. straight alphanumeric. Wireless bridging will handle fixed channel much better than auto.
This could all achieve nothing.. but it is hard to track the issue.
You should also study the log of the TC.. but it does not seem to report an awful lot.
Do any devices have static IP set? If not then the TC is not handling DHCP very well if you are getting duplicate IP addresses. That is why I want you to try something else as the main router.
For devices like the printers. I have to admit being surprised you can manage both printers. USB hubs are a bit notorious for being a mixed bag.. if things go wrong with external USB drive I would be looking at finding a more compatible powered hub. Since these a cheap anyway.. it is finding one that agrees with TC or AEBS.. do a google search for what people are using.. again nothing might fix the problem.. but if you try something different.. hopefully with a different chipset.. it helps narrow the issue.
BTW plug the hug into the Mac and your system profiler will show lots of info about the USB device.

Airport speeds with Time Capsule

Hi,
The problem I have is this. When I plug my macbook via ethernet into my time capsule I get download speeds of average 800kb/s. When I'm using wifi I only get 25-45kb/s.
I have my time capsule set up in WDS mode with an Airport Express. The Airport Express isn't 802.11 N, would that make that much of a difference?
This makes almost all internet tasks either extremely slow or impossible (youtube and video streaming)
Any suggestions very much appreciated!

By now, millions of users have updated to 7.6 and I cannot recall seeing a post similar to yours on this forum.
As far as a "known issue", you would need to contact Apple regarding that.
Suggest that you have the AirPort checked out at an Apple store if you have one near you.

DNS Issues with Time Capsule - DNS Proxy periodically dies

hi all .... looking for some suggestions
I have a time capsule 1TB, connected to a linksys adsl modem in bridge mode, with the TC acting as DHCP server for my local clients. In the PPPoE settings I also enter the primary and secondary addresses for DNS that my ISP supplied.
I am able to successfully connect to the internet, and all clients successfully pick up an IP address, and each client picks up the TC as the DNS proxy. Everything works perfectly as it should.
Usually once per day, there seems to be a slight hickup with the internet connection (hard to tell whether I am losing the PPPoE or some other issue). When this happens, the PPPoE connection remains active, as I am able to access anything on the internet from an IP level. However, the DNS proxy service on the TC seems to die and as a result, all internet browsing fails. If I reboot the TC, everything comes back to normal. If I dont reboot, the only way to get browsing working is to manually enter the DNS IP address from ISP into the client PCs. However, this is a manual fix that I should not have to perform.
Looking for advice and guidance. Seems like a bug but I cant tell. If I was able to set the DHCP server to pass out the ISP supplied addresses that would also work, but I cant.

Just got off the phone with support for this very same problem. DNS Proxy is definitely dying in the TC, looks like a firmware issue to me.
This is the 3rd TC I'm on. First was a 500GB, had this problem, replaced it under warranty at Apple's direction, replacement did the same, just upgraded this weekend to 1GB, and same issue still. All on 7.3.2 firmware.
TC 1TB, PPPoE to my ISP, ISP's DNS Servers listed in the PPPoE config in the TC.
When a host gets DHCP from the TC the only DNS returned is the TC itself, since it proxies the ISP DNS servers.
Once every day or two, the DNS proxy dies. local network works, and I can add my ISP's DNS addresses in my host config and I have DNS again, but this is definitely something dying in the DNS proxy in the TC.
Just for kicks trying to switch from my ISP's DNS servers to OpenDNS now since someone said that worked for them, but I am not hopeful... I don't see this as a host DNS issues at all.
The dead proxy is very clear:
$ nslookup apple.com. 192.168.1.1 # that's the TC
Server: 192.168.1.1
Address: 192.168.1.1#53
** server can't find apple.com: SERVFAIL
$ nslookup apple.com. 208.67.222.222 # that's OpenDNS
Server: 208.67.222.222
Address: 208.67.222.222#53
Non-authoritative answer:
Name: apple.com
Address: 17.149.160.49
I replaced a linksys router with the TC and am kind of unhappy that a $500 router dies every couple of days. My cheapo Linksys router never needed to be restarted, it only ever got rebooted once every year or so when the house lost power long enough for the UPS to run out of battery.
Help us out here Apple, I replaced a $50 router with a $500 because I like the flavor of your kool aid, and this thing dies every day or two. Even if you can't fix why the proxy is dying every couple of days, can you please at least update the firmware to maybe restart the proxy if it quits working?

Issues with time capsule back ups when external hard drive is connected/not connected

I have a 2TB Airport Time Capsule (ATC) (tall tower type) purchased a few weeks ago and initially wanted it to back up a Seagate FreeAgent 500Gb external drive (formatted extended journalled) as well as three Macbook Pros. The Seagate has a single partition called Lib and is not used for Timemachine backup; it just contains my iTunes library and lots of scanned and archived documents. I want the Lib folder to be accessible to all three Mac users in the house and I've set up all of the Macs to connect and back up to the ATT. They can all see the 'Lib' folder when it is connected to the ATC.
After a bit of searching on the discussion boards I realise that the ATC will not back up 'Lib' when the Seagate is connected by USB directly and that ATT will back it up if it is connect to my Mac and set not to exclude Lib BUT I am encountering some problems with this scenario when I activate time machine.
When I disconnect the Seagate by using 'disconnect' in the ATC viewer in Finder I shut down the drive before disconnecting the usb and reconnecting to the Macbook Pro just as a precaution. When i connect and then activate back up using Time Machine selecting the ATC data folder, it is showing no previous back ups and never backed up. When I had the Seagate connected to the ATT I was seeing back ups as far as 6th May when I bought the ATC. I know that the Time Machine backups are not on the Seagate as I had to reformat it a few days ago and use Data Rescue 3 when I lost the ability to see any files on it after disconnecting it from the ATC. I saw the 6th May backups in Time Machine before I disconnected the Seagate a few minutes ago so they must be on the ATC - just not showing after the Seagate was disconnected.
Can anyone talk me through what may be happening here and advise on the best way of managing this. I'm already planning to buy another external drive as the Seagate is getting a bit old now and I realise I should have secondary back up. I should just say that the reason for bothering with the shared external drive is so that we can all access the photos and household files over the wireless network using ATT. I would just like it to be backed up with minimal fuss if possible.
Many thanks in anticipation of some help with this
I

I would fix the problem by simply installing a more flexible backup software. Carbon Copy Cloner costs US40. And it is licensed so you can load it on all the computers in your house.
It can backup the external drive while connected to the TC, although if you are using wireless it will be sure slow.
Including the external drive in your backup with TM, is just messy. It will work.. and although you are not seeing the previous backups, they are there.. but TM cannot see them until it reconnects with the external drive in place. Once it reconnects it will need to deep scan the previous backup.. you are going to find a simple backup takes far longer than you want. It is also difficult to recover from.
See Q5 here http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
And several other comments in Pondini's KB will be helpful to understand. Sadly the guy who wrote it died before Mavericks came on the scene.. but it has more bugs than ever. TM has become less reliable for a lot of people.. and that is not doing any swapping of disks.
TM is honestly great for simple backups of your OS and particularly for incrementals but getting a clone of the disk like your external is far better for your setup.
See http://pondini.org/TM/Clones.html

Airport issues with time capsule

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