How do I manually configure a Timecapsule after having restored it to original settings?

Question

I have been experiencing very slow wifi speeds over my wireless and having done some research on the topic, many suggest that completely eliminating previous settings by restoring the Timecapsule and manually reconfiguring it may help. I have tried to do this, but despite changing the setting to "manually configure" in the hardware settings in the airport utility, every time I restore Timecapsule and begin to configure it, it tells me that it is reading the settings from the base station.
In addition, despite removing the check mark from the "remember previously joined networks" in airport utility, it still lists my previous SSID in the list of networks.
Since the wireless speed hasn't improved at all (in fact, it has deteriorated some) I am afraid the old set ups are still there and slowing things down.  How can I completely remove all previous settings from my Timecapsule, my airport express and the airport utility software and start from scratch?
Thanks.

Answer 1

How can I completely remove all previous settings from my Timecapsule, my airport express and the airport utility software and start from scratch?
There are two parts to this answer. The first relates to performing a Factory Default Reset separately on the Time Capsule and AirPort Express. This will erase the current network settings and return them to default values.  This will not affect any backups that you may have stored on the Time Capsule disk. ***
Use the information in this Apple support document for that:
Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule FAQ
Part two would be to delete the previous wireless settings on your iMac.  Here's how:
Open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock)
Open Network
Open Wi-Fi or AirPort
Click Advanced at the lower right of the window
Click on the name of a wireless network that you no longer need to highlight it
Click the - (minus) button at the bottom of the list to delete it
Do the same for other networks that you no longer need
Click OK, then click Apply
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > KeyChain Access
Click on the name of a wireless network that you want to delete to highlight it
Click the Delete key on your keyboard
Do the same for other networks that you no longer need
Close KeyChain Access
*** If you need to erase the Time Capsule disk completely, post back for additional instructions. We need to know which version of AirPort Utility you are using to provide specific details.