Pulled the Plug on Time Capsule

First, I've been using Macs since 1987. Consider myself a bleeding edge adopter and semi-guru to friends and family. However, after a rocky start, a somewhat smooth few weeks, and now complete failure in the last few days I've pulled the plug on Time Capsule.
I had been backing up three laptops (Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook) with varying degrees of success (many TC re-sets, ethernet set-ups to start) until this evening when the dreaded "Preparing" hang eventually took its toll on my patience and my confidence in Apple's backup strategy.
Has anyone had success using TC with several laptops? Is TC set up for this? Is there some special order of events or sequence in setting this up that anyone has had consistent success with? For now I'm going back to SuperDuper.

I don't trust wireless TM 100% as well. I have turn off TM and only initiate the backup manually on my request. If I know the incremental back up is going to be huge, I will run a ethernet cable to the TC before I start.

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Since I upgraded to OS 10.6.8 from 10.5.x my 2x3GHz quad-core Intel Xeon desktop spontaneously turns off as if I pulled the plug. Mostly it happens when there is no open software and it's in the sleep mode, but it has happened while I'm working.

Since I upgraded to OS 10.6.8 from 10.5.x my 2x3GHz quad-core Intel Xeon desktop spontaneously turns off as if I pulled the plug. Mostly it happens when there is no open software and it's in the sleep mode (because it spends more time like that), but it has happened while I'm working. It just suddenly quits.

This is a suspicious sign of power supply failure. I would have that checked into. Others who have had similar problems have had the power supplies replaced which fixed the issue.

HT3275 Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to "Time Capsule" because "-.sparsebundle" is already in use.

How do I correct ‘Time Machine couldn’t complete the backup to “Time Capsule” because “….sparsebundle” is already in use‘?.

Check out the More Like This column to the right.
Our most popular problem.. 6-10 times a day..
There is a bug.. fix is to pull the power from the TC.. count to 10 and power the TC again.
See C12 here if you need more help.
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

I pulled the plug, did i damage my iMac?

After installing the latest security update 1.1 from my software update it seemed to go well until the restart. The screen went grey and the circle kept spinning and spinning. I tried to shut down using the button on rear but nothing, it just kept spinning. Finally I pulled the plug. I started it up again using the back button and it started fine. Installer log says the update is installed. I checked HD with disc utility from the install disc and repaired permissions which was OK except for the usual Suid warnings. My question is, did I do any damage to my machine by pulling the plug? Do I need to do any other maintenance to make sure all is well.

It all depends on what it was doing while the spinning was occurring.
There are a few issues that could come up.
Data in buffers may not have been sync'd to the disk. So depending on what that data was (update files, documents, etc.) it could be lost.
Permissions or access controls that were being applied could be missing or corrupted - but your repair of permissions should have taken care of that.
Files that were being uncompressed at the time may never have been uncompressed and you could end up with mixed up versions of files.
My recommendation would be to:
- Hold down 'command-v' when you boot this next time from right after the chime to when you start getting data on the screen. This will take away the screen masks when the system starts and stops.
- Re-apply the security update and let it finish. You'll be able to see what it's doing as it shuts down, so it should make things a little more comfortable than just watching the icon spin.
- If you are always impatient with updates, you may want to make verbose booting permanent. You can do this by editing /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist and adding a -v between the two string tags under the kernel flags key.

What does the message mean time capsule already in use when it refueses to backup?

What does the message mean time capsule already in use when it refueses to backup?

Just the network is cranky..
Simple first step.. restart the TC.. ie unplug the power cord.. count to 10.. plug it back in.
Second step if that fails.. restart the network.. off everything.. restart in order.. modem.. TC.. clients 2min gap.
Finally if you are prepared to fight you can load 5.6 utility onto Mountain Lion and do a disconnect all users.. or a few other ways.. turn off file sharing and turn it back on.
The issue being TM did not dismount the sparsebundle correctly.
C12 http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
For more info.

I can't connect to the drive on my airport time machine and am receiving the message: "AirPort Time Capsule" can't be opened because the original item can't be found.

Time capsule has been working perfectly for months.
Suddenly I can't connect to the drive on my airport time capsule and am receiving the message: “AirPort Time Capsule” can’t be opened because the original item can’t be found.
Time machine appears to be still backing up (last backup within the last hour), but drive is not visible and I have files stored on it.
I have tried rebooting everything in order as suggested for other issues, anyone got any ideas how to see the drive again??

What OS are you running??
It is very typical Yosemite issue.
1. In airport utility does the TC show up.. if so click it.. and see the summary page which will include its IP address. That is what you are after.
From my screenshot you can see the TC address is 192.168.2.57
It might well show up briefly after a reboot or in ipad / iphone version utility. Yosemite is hopeless. The airport utility hardly works.
2. In Finder use Go, Connect to server.
Type in SMB://192.168.2.57 (replace with IP you discover).
If it is possible it will request a password.. type that in and DO NOT FORGET.. to store it in your keychain.
This will work until the TC changes IP which won't happen if it is main router.. but will happen if it is bridged.. so you need to tell me the whole network setup.
Mavericks is nearly as bad and the above instructions should be universal except I would use AFP instead of SMB. Apparently Yosemite is now totally Windows oriented.

Can I use two Time Capsules? one as an extension of my laptop (for music and video storage) and the other one to back up everything from the laptop and Time Capsule (for music and videos)

Can I use two Time Capsules? one as an extension of my laptop (for music and video storage) and the other one to back up everything from the laptop and Time Capsule (for music and videos)

Not via Time Machine. It cannot back up from a network location.
The 3rd-party apps CarbonCopyCloner and ChronoSync may be workable alternatives.
EDIT: And, if you're going to do that, you could back up from the Time Capsule to a USB drive connected to the TC's USB port. Second TC not required.
Message was edited by: Pondini

I have used Airport Time Capsule with my iMac for several years. I recently purchased a MacBook Air and when it tried to backup to Time Capsule it couldn't because Time Capsule is full. How can I now use the 3TB Airport Time Capsule to back up both?

I have used Airport Time Capsule with my iMac for a couple years. I recently purchased a MacBook Air and when it tried to backup to Time Capsule it couldn't because Time Capsule is full. How can I now use the 3TB Airport Time Capsule to back up both the iMac and MacBook Air? I don't mind losing earlier backups. I have excluded some items from backing up, but since the Airport Time Capsule is full, I can't even begin to back up the MacBook Air.

On your Mac.......
Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click on the Time Capsule icon, then click Edit in the smaller window that appears
Click on the Disks tab at the top of the window
Click Erase Disk
On the next window that appears, select the Quick Erase option, then click Erase
The operation will only take a few minutes.
Now you are ready to start new backups of both Macs. Back up one Mac first, then back up the other. Do not try to back up both Macs as the same time.

What type of wireless router is the 1st generation time capsule? Is it B, G or N. I'm trying to understand why our wifi signal is a bit erratic. Paul

what type of wireless router is the 1st generation time capsule? Is it B, G or N? I'm trying to establish whether its causing signal degradation as a result of conflicts with my BT Home Hub router.

The 1st generation Time Capsule is an 802.11"n" wireless router, but in default settings it produces a signal that is also compatible with "g" and "b" wireless devices.
If your HomeHub is in close proximity to the Time Capsule and it is also producing a wireless network, either the wireless on the HomeHub or the TIme Capsule should be be disabled to minimize the chances of wireless interference.
Interference may also be coming from any cordless phones you may have, or another nearby wireless network as well.

I want to replace my 1st generation time capsule with the new ac time capsule. What might I use the old 1st generation time capsule for

What use would there be for the 1st generation time capsule if I bought a new ac time capsule?

I just bought hte new ac time capsule (TC), and was using the 1st generation one at home.
=> I use now the old TC as an wifi extender and as a shared hard disk for family
=> the new TC is used with Time Machine for encrypted backup and first high speed network

Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to time capsule-the backup disk is not available

Time Machine couldn’t complete the backup to time capsule-the backup disk is not available

Reboot the network in correct order.. modem.. router/TC.. clients.. 2min gap.
This is just standard windows.. woops, Mac OS networking now.

What's the difference between time capsule and time machine?

What is the difference between time capsule and time machine?

See Using Time Machine with a Time Capsule.

There was a problem connecting to the server "Max Time Capsule"

Disclaimer: Previously posted here (Ask Different) and similar to this.
I'm trying to use my MBP inside and outside my office, and having it backup to my 2TB Time Capsule when on its wireless network, or defer backups when not on the Time Capsule's wireless network.
Unfortunately, if I've been on a different wireless network for a few hours worth of backup attempts, bringing the machine back onto the Time Capsule's wireless network doesn't resume backups, and Time Machine never recovers. I can select the disk as a backup drive in the Time Machine preferences, but the disk remains unavailable from the Finder, and any backup attempts yield the standard:
There was a problem connecting to the server "Max Time Capsule"
Check the server name or IP address, and then try again. If you continue to have problems, contact your system administrator.
My WiFi connection is through the same Time Capsule that hosts the backup drive, and its name and IP address have decidedly not changed. The only thing that seems to help is restarting the Time Capsule, but that is an inconvenient workaround at best.
The problem sounds similar to Backup Disk Not Available, but the answers to that question are either to restart or change the disk name or turn off the 5 GHz network (which didn't help). I also looked at /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeCapsule.plist, but found nothing that seemed relevant.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. My MBP is running OS X 10.7.5, and the Time Capsule firmware is 7.6.1.

There was a problem connecting to the server "Airport Time Capsule".
The server may not exist or it is unavailable at this time. Check the server name or IP address, check your network connection, and then try again.
I still have internet connection, and have tried other suggestions across internet but really the only fix has been to power cycle the ATC. This unfortunately is only a temporary remedy for a day or so until it returns.
Any suggestions on how to fix this problem?
There is no fix.. I have written a bunch of suggestions to try.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6106750?tstart=0
It is very common on Mavericks.
How long did it take from when you set it up till it went bad??

There was a problem connecting to the server "AirPort Time Capsule".

I bought a new Macbook air and a 2TB Airport Time Capsule. I currently use the ATC for time machine, and external storage of Itunes & Iphoto libraries.
Everything was beautiful until the other day when I got the following :
There was a problem connecting to the server "Airport Time Capsule".
The server may not exist or it is unavailable at this time. Check the server name or IP address, check your network connection, and then try again.
I still have internet connection, and have tried other suggestions across internet but really the only fix has been to power cycle the ATC. This unfortunately is only a temporary remedy for a day or so until it returns.
Any suggestions on how to fix this problem?

There was a problem connecting to the server "Airport Time Capsule".
The server may not exist or it is unavailable at this time. Check the server name or IP address, check your network connection, and then try again.
I still have internet connection, and have tried other suggestions across internet but really the only fix has been to power cycle the ATC. This unfortunately is only a temporary remedy for a day or so until it returns.
Any suggestions on how to fix this problem?
There is no fix.. I have written a bunch of suggestions to try.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6106750?tstart=0
It is very common on Mavericks.
How long did it take from when you set it up till it went bad??

MX922 hangs, power switch won't turn it off. Can I get it going without just pulling the plug?

The printer seems to do this to me about once a month. If I pull the plug and then reconnect it, that resets everything and gets the printer going again, but I get a nasty error message that I'm not supposed to do that. But what else can I do when absolutely none of the front panel buttons do anything at all? And the printer doesn't respond to any computer commands either.

Hi williamauer,
If it appears that none of the buttons are stuck on the printer and an error message is not displaying and you are unable to turn off the printer normally, the printer may require servicing; please call or email us at one of the methods on the Contact Us page for further assistance.
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Pulled the Plug on Time Capsule

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