How can I use my Time Capsule as an external Hard Drive for my PC? My PC can't find it.

Hi, I just bought this Time Capsule for my home. I've got the internet access for all my devices (Mac, iPad, PC, iPhone) and I've got the Mac backup working through Time Machine. I'm supposed to be able to use the Time Capsule as an external drive for my PC, but I can't figure it out. My PC doesn't recognize the Time Capsule as a Network Place. I called AppleCare, but they don't have all the answers for "PC issues." They tried to get me to Map a Network Drive, but my PC popped up a window asking for a Username and Password. It looks like something similar to when I VPN into my company network from home.
I'm using Windows XP Professional, Version 2002, Service Pack 3.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Download and install the airport utility for windows.. it isn't strictly necessary but the bonjour service makes life easier.
The request for username and password is correct. Username is whatever you like.. but windows needs it.. so admin.. being the common router one.. password by default is public unless you changed it.
Now to get the TC to work properly..
1. The names should be SMB compliant.. by default they are wrong.. use short names, no spaces no special characters.. pure alphanumeric. That is for TC name and wireless names.
2. Wireless passwords should also be same use WPA2 private.
3. In the disk sharing page.. manual setup.. put in the windows workgroup name.. ie WORKGROUP.. this helps the discovery process.
4. In the same area, turn on the guest account to read and write.. not necessary but helps with later versions of windows particularly.
5. Access the drive by using the direct IP address. ie in Windows Explorer address bar, \\10.0.1.1 (or whatever IP the TC is at).

Similar Messages

Hello, how would I go about using my time capsule as an external hard drive for my Mac book pro?

Anybody know if I can use my time capsule as an external hard drive for Mac book pro?

Just recognise the following.
Store files on the TC.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/24380694#24380694
This is asked several times a day.. obviously people are struggling with their latest SSD being too small.
The TC is not suitable for network file server.. but many people having no choice press it into service as such.
It cannot be partitioned. It was and is and ever shall be a backup device for Time Machine.
Major issues.
1. No backup.. no way Time Machine can backup a network drive. No place to backup to.. So all your files will be at risk. And you will need to buy a third party like CCC to do backup.
2. The TC cannot be partitioned and mixing TM backups and data is not great.
3. The drive is slow to spin up and quick to spin down.. there is no controls.
4. iPhoto in particular can easily corrupt its entire library with wireless networking causing a disconnection to one photo. Even if you do this;;; do not move your photo library... you have been warned!!
5. iTunes will constantly lose connection to the library. The disk is too slow to respond.. itunes on the computer will constantly spit out errors. Even in the midst of streaming the TC can spin down the disk due to caching.
6. Do not use any live files on the TC no matter what else you do.. if you edit files in whatever program the file must be on the local hard disk.
7. The only suitable location for most libraries is a computer. You can plug in an external hard disk.
Read pondini for some work arounds.
Q3 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html

How do I use my time capsule as an external hard drive?

I am trying to use my time capsule as an external hard drive but can't figure it out... can anyone help me out?

1. Run AirPort Utility
2. Click on your Time Capsule
3. Click Edit
4. Click on the Disks Tab
5. Click on Enable file sharing
6. Choose the way you want to control file sharing access, whether it is by the Time Capsule password, an independent disk password, or accounts for different users.
7. You should then be able to access your Time Capusle drive from Finder.

Can I use my time capsule as a external hard drive as well

I want to use my time capsule as a external hard drive as well as a back up disk. Is that possible?

You Can!! But Should you??
Can and Should are different.
Here are the issues.
Store files on the TC.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/24380694#24380694
This is asked several times a day.. obviously people are struggling with their latest SSD being too small.
The TC is not suitable for network file server.. but many people having no choice press it into service as such.
It cannot be partitioned. It was and is and ever shall be a backup device for Time Machine.
Major issues.
1. No backup.. no way Time Machine can backup a network drive. No place to backup to.. So all your files will be at risk. And you will need to buy a third party like CCC to do backup.
2. The TC cannot be partitioned and mixing TM backups and data is not great.
3. The drive is slow to spin up and quick to spin down.. there is no controls.
4. iPhoto in particular can easily corrupt its entire library with wireless networking causing a disconnection to one photo. Even if you do this;;; do not move your photo library... you have been warned!!
5. iTunes will constantly lose connection to the library. The disk is too slow to respond.. itunes on the computer will constantly spit out errors. Even in the midst of streaming the TC can spin down the disk due to caching.
6. Do not use any live files on the TC no matter what else you do.. if you edit files in whatever program the file must be on the local hard disk.
7. The only suitable location for most libraries is a computer. You can plug in an external hard disk.
Read pondini for some work arounds.
Q3 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html

Can I use my Time Capsule as a External Hard Drive (through Ethernet) ONLY?

Here is my situation:
I am a college student and have been using my Time Capsule to create a wireless network (or extend a previous one) and also to store my iTunes library content (kind of like a wireless hard drive). I just moved into a new apartment and they already have a wireless network and it works just fine how it is. I know that I can extend the network through my Time Capsule (wirelessly because I don't have a long enough ethernet cord to connect into the existing modem), but I don't need/want to because it would just add another path of access for data to go through. I don't mind just having my computer connect wirelessly to the existing wireless router rather than sending it wirelessly through the Time Capsule which would then just need to send the data to the existing router. It just seems like it would make things slower and I don't want to even deal with it. I hope that makes sense.
This is what I want to do and I'm wondering if it is possible and if so how to do it. First, I want my computer to be connected to the current wireless network (as if I didn't even have a TIme Capsule extending the network) so I can access the internet BUT SECOND, I want to access the iTunes library content I have saved on the Time Capsule through a direct ethernet connection. I have too much content (i.e. movies, music...etc) to be able to save it all on my laptop and so that is why it is on the Time Capsule. So simply, if the Time Capsule is plugged into my laptop, can I have it so it ONLY acts like a normal ethernet connected external hard drive?

TC can be set a number of different ways.. Just run it as a router for now.. ie exactly at default.. The fact that you don't have WAN address or connection is irrelevant.. we can tell the TC to ignore the problem. At default the TC is 10.0.1.1
The only issue you can have is if the wireless network is also 10.0.x.x. if it is change the IP of the TC to 192.168.10.1 (or whatever you like.. as long as it isn't the same).
Use static IP settings for the network in the Mac.. you can use exactly the same IP and subnet the TC passed by dhcp. Just no router (gateway) or dns.. so as to not confuse the main network.
You seem to be worrying to much about getting everything right..
Start.. learn.. it is faster to do it and see what happens.. than keep asking questions.
If you run into a snag disconnect the TC.. or reset to default and ask the specific question.

Can I use a Time Capsule as an external hard drive only?

I want to use a Time Capsule just to back up my Mac every so often, but I don't want to use any of its wifi features or plug it into my modem. How can I do this?

If you do not use the network and you do not use wifi.. then the TC is only going to work by ethernet.
I gave a long description here how to do this setup.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4817218?tstart=30
But just so you know.. a USB drive plugged into the computer would be faster and much more reliable than a TC.. which you may as well sell off.

HT201250 Can I use my time capsule as an external hard drive?

Will my time capsule act as an external hard drive? I would like to move my iTunes from my MacBook Pro to my time capsule. Is this possible?

Yes, but it shouldn't be done; the Time Machine backup will eventually take up all the free space on the drive, and if the drive fails, all the copies of it will be wiped out. You're better off moving it to a regular external drive and setting Time Machine to back it up as well.
(81254)

Can i use my time capsule as an external hard drive ?

Hi,
I just bought and installed a 3To Time Capsule, to replace a 6 years old one which was dying. On the old one I had (do not remember how but easily, i am no specialist), partitioned the TC, with one part for backing up and one part for storage as a regular external drive, to store videos, photos,...
I can't find on this new one, which is set up all right as router, TM and printer hub, how to do the same
Any idea ?

As far as I am aware you cannot partition a Time Capsule drive
This is actually possible, but not practical since the Time Capsule must be opened up, the hard drive must be pulled out, then placed in a separate SATA to USB enclosure or caddy.
Then, the enclosure must be connected directly to a Mac and Disk Utility must be used for the formatting procedure.
Then, the drive must be reinstalled back in the Time Capsule.
In addition to a lot of work....best done by a good technician.....this will void the warranty on the Time Capsule.
All in all, this is another one of those situations where the fact that you might be able to do something does not mean to imply that it would be a smart thing to do it.

Is possible to use Time Capsule as a external hard drive for my MA ?

Hi,
I wondering to know if i can use the time capsule as a external hard drive for my MACBOOK AIR i mean i dont want a backup i just want to be connected when i'm at home and transfer the data to the time capsule or simply uses data from there.
Thanks!

Yes, you can.
(60321)

I use My Time Capsule as a external hard drive, can I transfer files other than wirelessly?

I use My Time Capsule as a external hard drive, can I transfer files other than wirelessly?

will TC appear on My desk top?
It will, if you do the following:
Open Macintosh HD and locate the Time Capsule icon under the SHARED heading on the left side of he window.
Click on the Time Capsule icon and a folder representing the drive will appear to the right
Double click the folder and the drive icon will appear on the desktop

How do I use my Time Machine as an external hard drive to just dump files no longer needed on my computer?

How Do I use my time machine as an external hard drive?

Time Machine is software that allows a Mac to backup to a Time Capsule or other hard drive, so I think you are asking about the Time Capsule here, correct?
http://www.apple.com/timecapsule/
How do you plan to connect the Time Capsule to your network, or is it already connected and configured?
When you have it configured on the network, you can use the Finder to copy/paste or drag/drop files from your Mac to the Time Capsule disk.

Is there a way to use the time capsule as an external hard drive only and disable the wi-fi function ?

Is there a way to use the time capsule as an external hard drive only and disable the wi-fi function ?

Yes.
1) Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <--> ports on your existing wireless router to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule
2) Go through the standard configuration suggested by the setup "wizard"
3) Then manually turn off the wireless function using AirPort Utility

Time capsule vs. External hard drive for periodic back-ups

Hope this is the right forum. At home I have the old "Back-Up" program that I use for quarterly back ups of certain files as scheduled. Love it. Was gonna set that up on our new(er) Macs here at work only to discover that program was replaced by Time Machine. Time Machine won't let me even in to see how it works without a Time Capsule or other External Hard Drive to connect to...
What I'm trying to do: Schedule monthly (or quarterly) back-ups for settings, certain important files and possibly certain programs from 4 office computers (3 iMacs and 1 Powerbook). Would love to back up to Mobile Me but can't seem to figure out how (Time Machine certainly won't let me). But then want to store the backups either online (like Mobile Me) or in a fire safe...
What I'm looking at: Possible options I've thought of include DVDs (which is really impractical), a 32 GB flash drive (but only would know how to get certain files on there), an external hard drive or a time capsule. But if I get either of those we'd only want to use it once a month and then keep it in the fire safe. Now I know Time Capsule is designed to do regular (daily, weekly, etc) backups... but can I use it to select what is backed up only at certain times and how hard/easy is it to plug in and out if I'm doing it that way. Or would it simply be better for what I'm looking for to get some other external hard drive?
I'm not very good at backing up info - but have to be responsible to at work (plus my brother just had a fire and he lost all his computers and info)... so simply not sure what is best suited for my needs?

Mongul Sec wrote:
At home I have the old "Back-Up" program that I use for quarterly back ups of certain files as scheduled.
Where has your "Back-Up" program been writing those backups?
What I'm trying to do: Schedule monthly (or quarterly) back-ups for settings, certain important files and possibly certain programs from 4 office computers (3 iMacs and 1 Powerbook).
Can you really afford to lose a month's worth of work on those computers?
What I'm looking at: Possible options I've thought of include DVDs (which is really impractical), a 32 GB flash drive (but only would know how to get certain files on there), an external hard drive or a time capsule. But if I get either of those we'd only want to use it once a month and then keep it in the fire safe.
In that case I'd use an external disk drive. Time Machine isn't really intended for what you want to do.

How can I use my time capsule as an external hard disk?

Hi ,
I hav en Airport Extreme 3 TB. I have done the setup. And it seems to working well. But I also want to use it as an external hard drive. When I go finder Shared folder I could not see Data folder in it. I have this screen. How can I see that folder.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I count 36 characters in your TC name.. This is not good.
Please reduce the name to somewhere less than 10 characters if possible.. 20 at most.
No spaces, pure alphanumeric.
See C9 here for why the present name is bad.
http://pondini.org/TM/C9.html
Also if your wireless name is the same.. change it to short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric as well.
Then manually mount your TC disk.
In finder use top menu, Go/Connect to server.
Type in AFP://TCname.local (TCname is your new short name. Local is the default domain).
Or it can be even better to use IP if that doesn't change.. ie TC is in router mode.. and by default is 10.0.1.1 then
AFP://10.0.1.1
Then apply and you will be asked for the TC disk password.. default is public but whatever it is you set. Make sure you save it in your keychain.
The TC data share should then mount.
And small comment about using the TC for files..
TC is designed for Time Machine. It is not a NAS.. it has no backup.. it is slow to spin up and fast to spin down. Using live libraries will result in corruption and loss of your entire library in the case of iphoto.
Please be very careful. Do not jump in and think very carefully. Time Machine cannot backup any network drives including the TC. You are going to have issues with backup if the TC is only location for your files.. it is unsuitable for this. CCC can backup to another drive.. but where will that be.. USB plugged into TC you will experience new visions of pain and suffering as the backup takes almost as long as digestion by a Sarlacc.
Pondini has some pointers here.
Q3
http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html

How do I setup my time capsule to be a hard drive for two macs?

I basically want to be able to use my time capsule as a hard drive for both my imac and macbook pro to save storage on both but obviously to have access to everything on both machines. How do I set this up?
Thanks.

I would recommend you use an excellent backup App that is capable of doing what you want, such as "Carbon Copy Cloner" or "Superduper".
http://www.bombich.com/download.html
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/13803/superduper!
Hope this helps

How can I use my Time Capsule as an external Hard Drive for my PC? My PC can't find it.

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