Question about the Time Capsule as an external hard drive...

i know this might be a kind of dumb question, but does the time capsule also work as an external hard drive where i would be able to just drag and save whichever files i want...or does it only save files through backing up in time machine??? thank you in advance

You don't need to consider FAT32 formatting for PC access.
The closet thing to a "format" of the TC disk is via "erase" command in the Airport Utility. There's no consideration of truly formatting or in what format the disk would be laid out. For the USB attached drive the same applies when it is attached to the TC, but of course it can be formatted when directly attached to a PC or Mac.
It is, in fact, often recommended that a USB attached drive be formatted as HFS+.
The fact that the drive (either the TC drive or a USB attached drive) are accessed via network protocols as a network disk insulates the useing machine from the physical drive format details to a large degree.
I have a TC with a USB attached drive. Both the TC drive and the USB attached drive are formatted as HFS+ but appear on Windows XP machines as:
Type: Network Drive
File system: FAT32
There has been a lot of discussion of this in this forum:
<http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=7540393#7540393>
Message was edited by: Steve Holton
Message was edited by: Steve Holton

Similar Messages

  • Windows not recognizing my time capsle - I just purchased a new computer that runs windows 8 and it doesn't want to recognize the time capsule as an external hard drive (ie doesn't show up under my compter).  I've downloaded airport utility...

    I just purchased a new computer that runs windows 8 and it doesn't want to recognize the time capsule as an external hard drive (ie doesn't show up under my compter).  I've downloaded and run airport utility, but it seems to have a hard time finding the time capsule...maybe one out of 10 times it will find it.
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    Any help much appreciated!

    In this case the TC should be in bridge mode.
    Win8 is still problematic. Try using ethernet instead of wireless. I think the drivers are poor still and it is well worth having a try via ethernet if you haven't already.
    Otherwise you will need to wait for apple to release bonjour for windows 8 and airport utility.. which is not out yet.
    Also make sure the windows is set to home, not work or public.. even turn off the firewall.
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  • 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.
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  • Is it possible to setup the time capsule as an external hard drive (wireless)

    Hi, I have purchased a time capsule and looking to use it to automatically backup my data but also would like to see it on my mac book pro as an external hard drive (wireless); is that possible????????????? if yes how???

    OK.. the TC is really designed for wired connection.
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    OR
    Scrap the myfy for a proper 3G router with ethernet.. you can usually just swap the sim over.. this is a much better solution as you put the TC back to its native correct operating mode..
    Well there are some possible solutions.

  • Will the USB port from the Time Capsule power an external hard drive?

    I am interested in purchasing an external hard drive (Iomega 1TB Helium Portable or G-Technology 750GB G-DRIVE mobile)
    to connect to my time capsule, expanding my wireless storage, but I want to know if the Time Capsule has a powered USB port or does the drive I purchase need to have its own power source? Also, Is there any compromise to using a drive that is USB powered, vs one that requires a power source?
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    Even if the hard drive that you choose has its own power supply, you usually need to use a powered USB hub with the Time Capsule.
    Reason....the USB port on the Time Capsule is under powered. You should not really rely on this port to power anything except a single printer.

  • How To Use Time Capsule As An External Hard Drive?

    I backup my computer onto the time capsule using time machine.
    After that I want to have more space on my computer (becasue my hard drive is almost full) (I still want to have my local snapshots and daily backups) so I want to delete some of my files but I still want them on my time capsule and I know after I back my computer the files will be deleted so I go to finder/my time capsule (under shared)/data/my macbook pro/ then I go to my destop and see; 1: time machine backups 2: data... I go to data and create a new file that will contain everything that I wanted deleted off my macbook so the when the next backup comes, I will still have (in data on time capsule) my time machine backups and my deleted things... will this work? why or why not? I heard people saying that you have to choose the time capsule between a external hard drive or with time machine... but will this attempt work with both>???

    It will work but shouldn't be done, as the Time Capsule's internal drive may fail at any time. Anything you want to keep shouldn't be on only one drive.
    (80321)

  • 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)

  • How can i use the airport time capsule as a external hard drive?

    how can i use the airport time capsule as a external hard drive?

    Why do you recommend not place things like iTunes libraries or photo libraries on the drive? It was what I am looking for...
    I suggest that you ask the experts over in the iPhoto Support Community about their opinions on placing an iPhoto or Aperture library on the Time Capsule....even if you plan to use a wired connection for your Mac and the Time Capsule.
    But, if Terrence Devlin answers, be prepared for a lecture about why you should not ever do this.
    If you place the iTunes library on the Time Capsule, be prepared for iTunes to give you messages about not being able to find the library.
    In addtion, LaPastenague has the answer for you in a nutshell......corruption problems.
    Bottom line....the Time Capsule is for your backups.....not "everyday" files and especially not libraries.

  • 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 transfer time capsul data to external hard drive to free up space?

    How do I transfer time capsule data to external hard drive to free up space?

    The fastest method is straight copy and paste..
    Plug a suitable hard disk into your computer.. format it Mac OS extended journaled (if not already).
    Select the folders/files you want to move.. copy and paste them to the external drive..
    Double check that the files are copied because the next step will delete the files forever.. there is no trash on the TC.
    Delete the files on the TC.
    You can also do a full archive of the TC disk to a USB plugged into it by USB.. it must be formatted Mac OS Extended Journaled. It must be big enough to hold all data on the TC disk.. best idea is to buy the same size or bigger.. so if you use 2TB TC buy a 2TB or bigger external drive.
    In airport utility select archive.
    That will copy everything on the TC disk to the USB drive.. you could then Erase the disk of the TC.. this is super fast if you choose quick erase.. just a few minutes. But the archive will take many hours.. say for 2TB about 12-24hours.. and you cannot use the disk in the TC during that time.

  • 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.

  • HT201250 i am using for first time the time machine and an external hard drive because I want to erase my macbook and start from zero files. do i keep my files in the portable hard disk when I connect it again with the macbook or the time machine will era

    i am using for first time the time machine and an external hard drive because I want to erase my macbook and start from zero files. Am i keeping my files in the portable hard disk when I will connect it again with the macbook or the time machine will erase all?
    I would like to know if after I erase all my data, empy hard drive inside the macbook, the time machine will erase all my files that I have saved in my "WD "My passport" external hard drive

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    Time Machine has to erase the external disk in order to make backups. Before setting Time Machine up, copy the files of your external disk to the hard disk of the Mac in order not to lose them, and then, set up Time Machine. The first backup will start automatically.
    If you want more information about Time Machine, read the Pondini's site > http://pondini.org

  • 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

  • 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

  • How do I use Time Capsule as an external hard drive?

    How do I use Time Capsule as an external hard drive? I want to remove photos & music from my laptop and store them in Time Capsule only.

    lyperez wrote:
    How do I use Time Capsule as an external hard drive? I want to remove photos & music from my laptop and store them in Time Capsule only.
    Apple has specific instructions on moving libraries.
    eg itunes.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
    You simply follow those instructions..
    TC is a network drive.. nothing more.
    To move individual files, just copy and paste to a new directory.. not inside a TM sparsebundle please.
    BUT.. TC only worries me.. deeply.
    It is relatively easy to corrupt a library when you copy to it.. library as a whole is then corrupted and will need to be restored from backup.. wops.. no backup. You are putting at risk all your files.. don't do it.. make sure you backup..
    And here is the rub.. TC cannot back itself up.. TM cannot backup network drives.
    And where are you going to backup.. to... an external drive on the computer.. in that case, that is where the library should be and the TC used as normal.. ie backup target for TM.
    Please read Pondini on how to do it properly though.
    Q3 http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html

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