I have an old TC (500GB) and I need to find out what's on it.

Question

Currently I have a 2TB TC backing up my iMac. I have an older, smaller TC (500GB) that I think came from a previous HD failure on an older iMac, and I think any info was migrated to a new HD. If I unplug the current TC and plug in the older one, will I see what's on it? If so, and it's contents have already been transferred (which is why I want to see), how can I wipe the TC clean to use as storage? If the data from this old TC was migrated to a new HD, would the old TC be wiped clean? This was done at the Apple store. Am I clear on this? I'm concerned the small TC will begin a backup of my iMac , which isn't my purpose, as I'm looking to start over with this smaller TC. I was unable to find a discussion which answers this. Thanks.

Answer 1

Let me answer the last bit first.
I'm concerned the small TC will begin a backup of my iMac
A TC is a dumb as a board hard disk in an airport router.. it will do nothing.. it will sit on the network and do nothing at all. All smarts for backup are Time Machine which is software on the computer.. and TM will not start doing new backups unless you tell it.
If I unplug the current TC and plug in the older one, will I see what's on it?
Yes.
Unplug a computer from the network.. your imac.. !! And plug in the old TC. LAN to LAN port.
Do a factory reset of the TC if the computer cannot then access the TC.
The Factory Reset.
Power down the TC.
Hold in reset. and keep holding it in. Be Gentle! It is a tiny surface mount switch with a plastic lever.. Attempting to push it out the other side of the TC will not make the switch turn on better.
(I fix TC and have several reset levers bent over and jammed or broken off).
Power on the TC.. remember with the reset held in.. this needs three arms.. a friend or power switch you can get to with your feet..
Keep holding in reset for about 10sec until the front LED flashes rapidly.
Release reset and wait .. the boot will be slow as it deletes previous setting.. only from router side and pulls out the factory defaults. No files are deleted on the hard disk.. but the name of the TC may change.
If the data you are trying to find is in TM backup it is not easy to find out what you are missing.
Please follow the instructions here.
http://pondini.org/TM/17.html
If the data from this old TC was migrated to a new HD, would the old TC be wiped clean?
The apple store will not wipe the old TC .. or at least that would not be good practice. It is your data and your job to keep or delete it.
If you want to wipe the TC open the airport utility and go to the disk tab and select erase.. if you are keeping the TC for yourself.. just do a quick erase.. takes a minute or two.. if you want to sell it then do a one pass erase which will take a few hours.
If you want to use the old TC .. remember it is now 4 years old.. maybe nearer 5years.. it has done its time.. it will die shortly.. suddenly and without recourse. If you put info on it you need.. you will regret it.