Is time capsule only used as a back up hd?

Can it be used as an extra external hd as well, I really don't need it for backing up my files, but I would rather have something to fit all my hd movies from itunes and tv shows.

Yes, it can be used as an external (wireless or wired) HDD. It will show up in Finder as a networked drive.
Hope this helps...

Similar Messages

  • Can the Time Capsule be used just to back up on an existing wi-fi network?

    Can the Time Capsule be used just to back up on an existing wi-fi network?    We just set-up a new Xfinity wireless modem which is supposed to be very fast, but Time Capsule set-up instructions indicate we need to use the Time capsule as the primary internet connection.   True?

    My mistake. Meant to reply to snorris3. Text is repeated below:
    Can I still use it as a back up device?   My new modem is also the router.
    Yes you can.
    The best way (and really the only way) to set up the Time Capsule would be to connect an Ethernet cable from your modem/router to the Time Capsule.
    The Time Capsule will produce a wireless network by default, but if you don't want to use that network, it is a simple matter to turn off the wireless on the Time Capsule and use it only as a  hard drive for backups.
    I would be very surprised if the Xfinity modem/router would even come close to the wireless performance of the Time Capsule, but that may be another discussion.
    If you elect not to use the wireless on the Time Capsule, then you will be backing up over the existing wireless network that you already have.
    That would be a shame, since a third to half of the total cost of the Time Capsule is tied up in the wireless router portion of the Time Capsule. If you want to use the existing Xfinity wireless network, you could save yourself quite a bit of money by simply connecting a USB or Firewire hard drive to your Mac for backups. But, it's your call.

  • Using Time Capsule only for back-ups, not as a modem

    Hi, We have Comcast modem and router for internet connection. Is it possible to use Time Capsule only for Time Machine-generated back-ups of our Macs?
    Is there any complication setting up TC for use as back-up only device?
    Thanks!

    You can use TC this way. And it's very simple to setup.
    Check out the setup guide here:
    http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Time_Capsule_Early2009Setup.pdf
    EDIT:
    I've just noticed that they've removed the section "Using Your Time Capsule on an Existing Wireless Network" from the new manual.
    Anyway here is a copy of the text under that section in the old guide:
    To set it up:
    1 Open AirPort Utility (located in /Applications/Utilities/ on a computer using Mac OS X,
    and in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows), select your Time
    Capsule, and then click Continue.
    2 Follow the onscreen instructions to join your current wireless network.
    3 After your Time Capsule is set up, you can use Mac OS X Leopard to set up Time
    Machine to back up the Mac OS X Leopard computers on your network. See “Using
    Time Machine with Your Time Capsule” on page 27 for more information.
    If you’re using an earlier version of Mac OS X, or if you’re using Windows, you can
    connect to Time Capsule to share or back up files.
    Message was edited by: dchao99

  • Okay so I set up my Time Capsule already and is now backing up 2 of my iMacs. Works great. What I want to know is how to use the TC to directly store files? I want to do this to delete some files but still have them on the TC for future reference..

    Okay so I set up my Time Capsule already and is now backing up 2 of my iMacs. Works great. What I want to know is how to use the TC to directly store files? I want to do this to delete some files on iMac 20inch but still have them on the TC for future reference..eg some movies on iTunes. I want to directly save them on the drive so I can delete them from iTunes and gain some storage. (Ps on iMac 20 inch (it's almost full - 320 GB) when I enter time machine, a tab comes up on finder which reads "Time Machine backups" it's able to be ejected like a disc or a connected device. On the iMac 20 inch, I dragged some files onto there as if using it like a hard drive. Is this the correct method? Then I went to my 27inch iMac and saw the "Time Machine Backups" hoping to see the files I dragged from the 20inch iMac. But the files were not there except a folder that said "Backups.backupdb". Can someone help me?

    It's not a good idea to use a network disk for both Time Machine backups and other things.  By design Time Machine will eventually consume all the space on its output disk, which will then cause problem for your other files.  I'd store those other files on an external disk connected to the Time Capsule.  The problem with that is that Time Machine will only back up files that are local to your Mac.  That means that you'll only have one copy of the files on or attached to your Time Capsule.
    By the way, you've been misled by poor field labeling on this forum into typing a large part of your message into the field intended for the subject.  In the future just type a short summary of your post into that field and type the whole message into the field below that.

  • Time Capsule only works for one device at a time, how to make it capable to be used for multiple devices at times

    Time Capsule only works for one device at a time, how to make it capable to be used for multiple devices at times.
    Please help to set it up, thanks in advance

    You need to give more info..
    Firstly only works for what.. networking.. backup.. wireless. You need more nouns.. more adjectives... describe what you want and what fails.. then we can figure out why.
    Most likely you have bridged it when it should be in router mode..
    Most likely you are using Lion or ML which has the airport utility bridge the TC by default.
    Change it to working as a router. That might help.
    If you press reset button it will default back to router btw.
    If you are on Lion.. use a real utility. http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1547

  • I recently purchased a new Mac Pro and have been trying to back it up on my Time Capsule for the first time.  However, it says there is no available disk space. This time capsule was used with my old Mac Pro that had a Home vault open on it.

    The time capsule was used with my prior Mac Pro laptop that unfortunately had the home vault active on it.
    My new Mac Book Pro does not have home vault open.  But I am unable to back up my new MAC pro laptop because it says there is not enough storage space available.  Therefore, t there any way to just completely delete all the old backup data out of my Time Capsule from my prior Mac Laptop? 
    When I go into the time capsule - it shows me NOTHING as being in the backup datas.  So, I don't know where to begin to delete all the old data off the
    time Capsule and start with a completely empty machine. 

    Therefore, t there any way to just completely delete all the old backup data out of my Time Capsule from my prior Mac Laptop?
    Here is how to do this:
    Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
    Click Manual Setup
    Click the Disks icon at the top of the AirPort Utility window
    Click the Disks tab below the icons
    Click Erase
    The "Quick Erase" option will only take a moment or two
    Now you can backup your MacBook Pro. If you connect an Ethernet cable from the MBP to one of the LAN <-> ports on the TC, the first backup will go 3-5 times faster than wireless.
    Once you have the first backup done, you can use wireless for subsequent backups since they will only take a few minutes

  • Can I use my 2TB Time Capsule ONLY as an external hard drive for Time Machine backups?

    Hi...wondering if somebody could help me out there.
    I currently have an older Apple 2TB Time Capsule (previous generation) which I'm using as both my WiFi access point, as well as my Time Machine backup location for both my iMac and my MacBook Pro.
    We've been having slow WiFi issues in our home, and seeing as how this Time Capsule is a number of years old, were thinking of upgrading to the faster WiFi routers with 802.11ac capability.  I'll be honest when I say we were considering other options, beyond the newest Time Capsule.
    My question is, can we somehow use the 2TB of storage on our current Time Capsule for the purpose of backing up our computers with Time Machine, but NOT use the WiFi functionality of the Time Capsule itself? 
    I'm assuming if I manually plugged either my iMac or MacBook Pro (wired ethernet) into the Time Capsule, I could likely get that computer to recognize and use it for Time Machine purposes, but I'd like to use it to backup both computers, ideally wirelessly on the MacBook Pro.
    Any help would be great. 
    Right now I'm running a DSL line into a DSL modem, which then runs ethernet into my Time Capsule.  From there, I have a 4 port switch connected for wired devices (we wired our home with ethernet jacks in almost every room).  We also have an Airport Express to extend the range of the network.
    Thanks,
    Jason

    You can bridge the TC and plug it into whatever wireless router you buy.
    There is no need to turn off the wireless in the TC.. but you can set it up as a secondary wireless network. That is totally up to you. I find the Gen4 TC very fast on 5ghz.. but you need it to be close to the computers.. in your case that should be dead easy.. simply plug it in by ethernet in the same room as the iMac say.. and set it up with bridge and the imac plugged into it by ethernet.. one computer then can access the internet and backup via ethernet with huge speed improvements.. the laptop can then use whatever your new router wireless network.. or the TC one if it is close enough..
    So there are plenty of variations and your setup is easy to handle with the large amount of ethernet you have.
    Just post again if you need specifics.. but I need specifics to give them!!

  • Time capsule only allows 2 devices at a time as a router.  If I am using the iphone and macbook pro, it bumps the roku offline.  Any suggestions?

    time capsule only allows 2 devices at a time as a router.  If I am using the iphone and macbook pro, it bumps the roku offline.  Any suggestions?

    At a guess you have cable internet connection.. please confirm exactly what you have.. two public IPs are allowed by some ISP.. once you use up the two IPs, there are no more..
    Make sure the TC is in router mode. And to get it working you probably need to shut off the cable modem.. if it has battery backup remove the battery.. try 5min off .. if not long enough try 20min off. then overnight. The ISP equipment must reset to allow a new MAC address to capture the IP.
    If you cannot work it out.. plug in the old router again.. and set the TC to bridge mode.. which I suspect it is in now.. and plug it into the main router.. it should work fine like that.

  • HT201250 can a time capsule be used to backup in a different location, e.g., have it in your office but use it to back up your home computer as well?

    can a time capsule be used to backup in a different location, eg, use it to back up your office computer but have it based at home in case of fire/theft at office location?

    Welcome to Apple Communities
    You can backup different Macs with it. Just set up the two computers to backup in it

  • Can the hard drive from the Time Capsule be used as USB drive only?

    My Time Capsule "router" kept losing the wireless capabilty, so I purchased an Airport Express (with the dual-band router).
    I'd like to salvage the Time Capsule hard-drive portion and connect it to a USB port.
    But when I plug-in the Time Capsule, the light blinks yellow suggesting some configuration problem.
    When connecting to a USB port, my iMac will not detect a new device.
    Can the Time Capsule hard-drive be used separately from the router?

    Can the hard drive from the Time Capsule be used as a USB drive only?
    Sorry, but no. The Time Capsule is a network drive, so it must be connected to a network using an Ethernet or wireless connection. The USB port on the Time Capsule is there only to add additional storage capacity.
    Can the Time Capsule hard-drive be used separately from the router
    Yes, you would configure the Time Capsule in Bridge Mode to do this. If you do not need the wireless capability, you can turn the wireless off on the Time Capsule.

  • HT201250 My time capsule is not allowing a back up indicating the 'time capsule is already in use'.  The system is set to back up and remove the oldest back up so it is not 'in use' as far as can see.  I believe something is in error.  Thoughts?

    I am new to this capability.  My problem is that my time capsule is not allowing a back up and indicates, The Back up 'is already in use' yet I have made no changes since I set the system up and now I am seeing this failure.  Thoughts?

    Thoughts?
    Bugs in Mavericks.
    Make sure that no other Macs are backing up at the time
    Pull the power cord from the back of the Time Capsule
    Count to ten
    Plug the power cord back into the back of the Time Capsule
    Wait a few minutes, then try a backup

  • Do i need to set up the time capsule airport before i start backing up using time machine with my time capsule?

    Do i need to set up the time capsule airport before i start backing up using time machine with my time capsule?

    Some setup is generally required.. because the TC is a network device.. not a plug in via usb.. therefore it has to exist somewhere in your network.

  • Time Capsule remotely using Back To My Mac with iPhone.

    I'm connecting my Time Capsule remotely using iCloud - Back To My Mac. It's possible to make the same connection using my iPad 2 or my iPhone?

    What is the exact model of your modem?
    Do you use pppoe authentication in the modem.. If so you can just bridge it and use pppoe in the TC without any issues.
    Apple cannot be expected to fix every modem and every ISP out there. Unfortunately networking is done is so many ways that it is impossible.. the ISP is actually the one who should help but they generally are useless.. or want you to pay for support.
    Yes, send pics of the configuration.
    Are you getting a public IP from your ISP? If not then none of this will work.
    How are you testing access? You cannot test from inside the LAN .. you must use a Mac computer from internet access that is not firewalled.
    Remember this is a two way street.. both ends have to have full access.
    If the BTMM approaches doesn't work do try it manually..
    There is clear instructions on the web to setup access.
    See http://gigaom.com/2009/05/14/access-your-time-capsule-over-the-internet/
    You don't need to do the fancy scripting.. just setup your modem router to forward port 548 to the TC.
    You don't give wan access in this case... you are accessing on LAN.
    But you do need to use some more security than normal TC password.. ie use disk password.
    This is proof of concept.. if this works then BTMM should work if you get all the settings right.

  • I have 1TB time capsule and i need to back up more media. Can i also use a 3TB time capsule asswell?

    i have 1TB time capsule and i need to back up more media. Can i also use a 3TB time capsule asswell?

    You can, but it is not possible to continue backups "seamlessly" from one Time Capsule to the other.
    Time Machine will make a new complete backup of each Mac on the first pass when you connect the new 3TB Time Capsule.

  • Can I use Time Capsule only as a WiFi backup disk w/out having to configure it as my main router?

    I already have an Airport Extreme that works great. Can I use Time Capsule ONLY as a WiFi backup disk w/out having to configure it as my main router with my Internet modem?

    Can I use Time Capsule ONLY as a WiFi backup disk w/out having to configure it as my main router with my Internet modem?
    Yes, you have two options here, each with advantages and disadvantages.
    Option 1...connect the Time Capsule to your AirPort Extreme using an Ethernet cable connection. Turn off the wireless on the Time Capsule since your AirPort Extreme is already providing wireless.
    Advantages...easy to configure, you can backup either over wireless or plug directly into one of the Ethernet ports to backup large files 3-5 times faster than wireless.
    Disadvantages...none, except it requires a wired Ethernet connection to the AirPort Extreme.
    Option 2....configure the Time Capsule as a wireless only hard drive.
    Advantage.....you can locate the Time Capsule anywhere you want as long as it can receive a good wireless signal from the AirPort Extreme.
    Disadvantages....harder to configure, backups will occur only over wireless.

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