Understanding the Time Capsule.

Ok, I've got no clue with this thing. It's driving me mental.
I want to use the 500gb hard drive to store files on that I can access wirelessly. I already have an internet connection that i'm happy with. Can I just use the time capsule as a hard drive or do I have to make it my router?
My mac won't even pick up the signal of the Time Capsule. It's unbelievable. Please can someone help me?

Sure, take a look at Page 18 of Apple's "Time Capsule Setup Guide" (direct PDF download).

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When I switch my time capsule to 5.0ghz mode the range of my wireless network drops significantly. Near the Time Capsule my Macbook Pro works fine, in my bedroom I have almost no signal. In mixed mode it works fine. Any ideas on how to get 5.0 working?

When I switch my time capsule to 5.0ghz mode the range of my wireless network drops significantly. Near the Time Capsule my Macbook Pro works fine, in my bedroom I have almost no signal. In mixed mode it works fine both placed. Any ideas on how to get 5.0 working? I thought 5.0Ghz was supposed to have a wider range. Do I need to change a setting on the Macbook Pro?
Thanks, W

I'm not sure if you understand that 5 GHz has some upsides, but also some very significant downsides.
The upside is that the 5 GHz signal will allow faster speeds.
The downside is that you must always give up something in order to gain something else.Unfortunately, the marketing hype about 5 GHz does not go into very many details about this.
In the case of 5 GHz, the 5 GHz signals are much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals, so they do not travel as far or penetrate any obstructions like walls or ceilings nearly as well as 2.4 GHz signals. In many cases, in order to get good 5 Ghz performance, you literally have to have almost a line-of-sight relationship between your computer and the wireless router.
If you have a new dual band router, which broadcasts both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signal simutaneously, your Mac will connect to the best signal quality automatically depending on its location in relation to the router. In the same room, without any obstructions, it will connec to 5 GHz. But, take the laptop down the hall a few rooms and around the corner and the Mac will connect to the 2.4 GHz signal because at that location, the 2.4 GHz signal is not only stronger, it is also faster.

How do I get the Time Capsule to automatly erase old back ups?

I have a 1TB Master HD in my Mac Pro that I back up using a 1 TB Time Capsule. So far I've used just over 500GBs on the Hard Drive which has really stumped my Time Capsule because it comes up saying it needs 400 odd gbs to do a full back-up of my Master HD. So now when ever its on and trys to do a back up it comes up failed because it says it doesnt have enough room to do its thing. Arnt Time Capsules supposed to delete the older back ups once its full? I exclude all other HDs from the Time Capsules back-up but I cant workout what more I can do....I can understand it if a 1TB Time Capsule could only back up 900gbs of Data but I'm only asking this 1TB TCaps to back up 500odd gbs. Anything I could or should be doing? I dont use the Airport as I only bought it to do backups. And because I have a wireless router for the houses PCs, Apple cant even tell me why I cant back up wirelessly so I have to use an ethernet cable.
Any advice or help would be much apperciated!

Time Machine has no problem automatically erasing old backups if your new backup is a normal size for an "incremental" backup. So it can handle things up to approximately 2-3 GB without running into trouble.
If the backup is too large, then you have to decide whether to erase the Time Capsule disk entirely and start over with a new "master" backup and move forward.....or.....manually delete enough backups to create enough space on the drive....which can get tricky.
See Pondini's excellent Time Machine - Troubleshooting, in particular #C4 and the pink box.
http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/C4.html

Can i use the time capsule for storage or just backup?

I asked my husband to go and buy a separate harddrive so that we could use to store all of our photos on separately as opposed to the computer (as its full and we cant download any more photos!). He came back with the Time Capsule.
from what i can understand it can only be used for backups and not for direct stoarge - is this correct? Im hoping that i can use it for storage and somehow copy all my photos from my Mac onto the Time Capsule and then we can access them from the network which i just created with the Time Capsule
Or do i need to buy something else?
appreciate anyones help
Thanks

It is far from ideal. But it does depend on what you are doing. Are you going to store you iphoto library on the TC then it is not recommended.
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

Can I use the Time Capsule as a place to store files only?

I don't want my files backed up. For example, I want to be able to copy/paste things into the Time Capsule.
I would like to store all of my movie files in the Time Capsule and remove them from my Mac because it is taking too much space.
Sorry! I'm new to this and I don't really understand all the tech-lingo.

I would like to store all of my movie files in the Time Capsule and remove them from my Mac because it is taking too much space.
Before you do this, are you really willing to have no backup for your iTunes Media Folder containing all your movies, music, etc?
When....not if...the Time Capsule has a problem, you lose everything if you do not have a backup.
Only the most foolhardy of users would consider doing this.
Apple's instructions to move the iTunes Media Folder are here:
iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder

Is the Time Capsule Right for Our Family?

I just bought one, but I'm coming to realize I didn't understand how it works. Before purchasing it, I tried to explain our family's needs to Apple Store personnel on several occasions but apparently did not succeed because they indicated it would fill the bill. Please let me try to explain on this format in the hope that someone with a better understanding can clarify for me how it is used.
First of all, I don't need it as a wireless transmitter. Our family uses a 2005 iMac as a software base station link to our MacBooks and that seems to work okay. A cable modem connects to that iMac, and we also get cable TV and phone service from the cable company.
What we wanted was a backup disk that we could send data to wirelessly using Time Machine. It struck me that the three most likely ways one could lose data would be a hard-drive (or DVD) crash, fire, or theft. For fire and theft contingencies I wanted to place the Time Capsule in an obscure part of the house away from the iMac. It wouldn't be perfect but it would improve the odds.
I tried loading my MacBook onto the Time Capsule with an ethernet cable bought for that purpose. The process seemed to work, but I couldn't actually access the data. Later I unplugged the TC. The flashing amber light came on when I reconnected it. The Apple service rep who I then spoke to on the phone said (I think) the Time Capsule must be connected to the Internet either directly from the cable company feed or through an ethernet cable. That would seem to negate two of the three contingencies I thought the Time Capsule would help protect us from. Is she correct? Do readers have needs similar to ours? If so, how do you meet them?
Thanks.

Thanks for responding.
My basic question is this: can I back up data wirelessly to the Time Capsule if it is not directly connected to the Internet? I want to plug it in a socket in another part of the house away from the cable modem. I do not want to connect it to the modem because it would then be close to the other computers, thereby increasing the risk of losing all to fire or theft.
If I can get past this fundamental issue, I will focus more on making the TC work.

Problems to install the time capsule

Hey everyone,
I really need your all help! I bought a time capsule and now I want to install it at my macbook pro. But everytime I try this I cant.
It shows that I cannot install the time capsule at the macintosh hd 10.9.1!! And that the Mac OS X version cannot be supported at this volume.
Do you have any hints?
Please help me!!

If the TC is new.. I don't understand the error message.. as it will most certainly work on any version 6 of the airport utility in Mavericks.
See if you can do it manually.. I have just posted full details of the setup.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5703308?tstart=0
If that doesn't work..
Please give a lot more info.
What model TC is it.. you bought a brand new AC version?
What is the existing broadband setup? Modem and router?
How are you attempting the setup?

Can I use the Apple Time Capsule to store my compressed DVD's and access from my iPad/iPod/iPhone while on a trip if I have the Time Capsule plugged in in the car/SUV?

Can I use the Apple Time Capsule to store my compressed DVD's & BD's to access from my iPad/iPod/iPhone wirelessly while on a trip if I have the Time Capsule plugged in in the car/SUV?

castruck wrote:
I would be accessing the files wirelessly from the iPad/iPod/iPhone to play the files.
what player do you intend to use? That is what I am wanting to check.. you understand there is no itunes server in the TC..
BTW if you want to use the TC in your car/SUV.. convert it to 12v operation.
https://sites.google.com/site/lapastenague/time-capsule-power-supply-repair-kits

How can i ensure that the time capsule back up all my data?

how can i ensure that the time capsule back up all my data and no any data missed during the back up? becz i was backing up my mac to time capsule for the first time and it takes only 5 hourse for 279GB which is doesnt make sense
any idea, how to ensure that all my data been backed up

well this tells you why you are having issues.. since you have a filevault and unless you are logged on as that user TM has no way to backup the vault.
so that is why the backup is so small.
And you cannot remove the file vault because the disk is too small.. you are in catch 22..
You cannot backup and you cannot remove the vault..
Login as the user who has the file vault and copy the files off the computer to a directory on the TC.. Then just delete the files on the computer.. that will then allow you to remove the file vault.
But never will I ever use file vaults so I am being theoretical .. please read it up yourself.
http://pondini.org/TM/25.html
You are not doing the background reading you need to understand what you are doing..
read the whole of pondini's info.. or at least skim it so you know what is there.
Avoid like the plague file vaults..
When disks go belly up, as they always do.. your files will be lost. Somewhere they need to be stored in the clear.. so why bother .. put better security on the computer and forget vaults.

HT1178 Can I just use my airport express as the primary base station and the time capsule as the network client?

I bought a new airport time capsule 3tb to be used to save to file all my pictures. Can I use it as network client and the airport express as the
Primary base station?

To my opinion this looks a bit like what I'm looking for.
At the moment I have an Imac that is wireless connected to a 2TB time capsule (TC1).
To this time capsule I have another 2TB time capsule (TC2) connected via a upt wire connection.
At the moment there is a backup made via time machine from the Imac to the time capsule TC1 (the second TC is not used)
I'm not so technical so I hope you understand the configuration.
What do I want to achieve :
copy all my data from the Imac to TC1 so that the information can be accessed by more users.
create an automatic backup from TC1 to TC2 (mirror or raid system) for security.
give access to some users on the network to access TC1 to read and write data.
TC2 only serves as backup from TC1 and no direct access is needed to this disk.
If there is a solution, thanks for explaining it in 'IT kindergarden style' so that I can understand and use the info.
Many thanks in advance.

Access the Time Capsule HDD from g and an n network?

Hi there
I reckon that this Time Capsule is great idea and I look forward to buying one.
I have a MacBook Pro (802.11n) and a Windows laptop (with a 802.11g adapter). I will plug a USB printer into the Time Capsule.
I want both my laptops to be able to access the Time Capsule HDD. I understand that if I want to maximise the connection speed for my MacBook I'll need to run seperate 802.11n network (for my MacBook) and a 802.11g network for my Windows laptop. Otherwise a shared b/g/n network will just run at g speed.
My question: If I do run the two seperate networks, will both laptops be able to share the HDD and printer?
Also, will the two laptops be able to see each other across the two networks?
Thanks for your help.
Cheers

You're right about the 802.11n PC Card for the Windows laptop.
Seeing as the 802.11n is still in draft, how will I know if the PC Card I purchase will work with the Time Capsule?
If is merely a case of getting any Belkin, NetGear etc. 802.11n PC Card for the laptop and assuming it'll work?
Is there a compatibility list somewhere?
I really appreciate your help on this one.
Cheers!

Does airplay bring airtunes to the time capsule?

one thing that nearly stopping me from choosing the time capsule over the airport express was the lack of airtunes, despite the higher price tag. does the invention and implementation of airplay and new airplay speakers (such as the iHome for example) mean the time capsule gains the ability to stream my itunes library around my apartment?

PiroDeity wrote:
does the invention and implementation of airplay and new airplay speakers (such as the iHome for example) mean the time capsule gains the ability to stream my itunes library around my apartment?
Apparently not in the way an AirPort Express does. If I understand it correctly, the music signal for AirTunes (and now AirPlay) has to originate with a Mac or new model AppleTV and end with a device that can connect to speakers, such as an AirPort Express, and (in a few months, apparently) an upcoming iHome device. A Time Capsule can facilitate this in the same way any WiFi router could, by relying the audio signal over your WiFi network.

How do I use the time capsule to share itunes music between multiple apple devices? Also, is it possible to control the music on one device using another, and how do you set this up?

How do I use the time capsule to share itunes music between multiple apple devices? Also, is it possible to control the music on one device using another, and how do you set this up?

unless i'm missing something, i think you got mixed up, this is easy google for walk throughs
i'm assuming this is the new 3tb tc AC or 'tower' shape, if so, its wifi will run circles around your at&t device
unplug the at&t box for a minute and plug it back in
factory reset your tc - unplug it, hold down reset and keep holding while you plug it back in - only release reset when amber light flashes in 10-20s
connect the tc to your at&t box via eth in the wan port, wait 1 minute, open airport utility look in 'other wifi devices' to setup the tc
create a new wifi network (give it a different name than your at&t one) and put the tc in bridge mode (it may do this automatically for you, but you should double check) under the 'network' tab
login to your at&t router and disable wifi on it
add new clients to the new wifi network, and point your Macs to the time machine for backups

Airport TimeCapsule wireless works fine, but iMac can no longer find the time capsule disk for backups.

Hi,
I have a new Airport TimeCapsule that I set up about two weeks ago in combination with a new iMac running OS 10.9.4. It ran fine until 2 days ago, when the TC disk image disappeared from the iMac and Time Machine was not able to back up. I tried to find the TC in Airport Utility and it states the "Airport Time Capsule was previously part of your network. Check that it is still in range of your network and is plugged into a power outlet..." I've tried restarting the time capsule. I've tried restarting everything in order (modem>TC>iMac) and the iMac still cannot see the TC disk.
I've had two other issues that I will list in case they are all related somehow:
1) The time capsule took several attempts to set up when I first bought it. I had to reset the TC several times before I got all the way through the set up process successfully.
2) I tried hooking up my printer to the USB port on the airport time capsule and although my MacBook could see it and print to it just fine, my iMac was never able to see it.
The TC is hooked up to the iMac via ethernet cable. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? I'm about ready to send the time capsule back and just resurrect my old airport that worked flawlessly for years. This airport TC has been a huge disappointment so far.
Thanks

There are some real issues between Mavericks and TC .. (or just network bugginess!!)
There is a heap of things you can do but it is easier to just run through the whole lot in order. None is necessarily the cure and that is why doing all is important.
The list is in this thread.
Airport Utility shows "unexpected error - please try again" when connecting to Time Capsule
In your case using ethernet can be a problem.. let me say please make sure you have ipv6 set to link-local only in your ethernet setup. I usually only show it in wireless but for you it must be ethernet. The wireless connection seems to be utterly required now for connection.. and hidden away into the airport utility is a switch over from wireless to ethernet. When I made the manual setup instructions above this particular ability (or stupidity) of the Airport Utility was not apparent to me.
So here is typical Airport Utility (AU) v6.. but it is actually working over wireless only. (The v5 utility was wireless + ethernet).
I have an ethernet client on the network that is completely invisible.
Click on the Other WiFi Devices (wrongly named.. it should say other devices).
And you will see the option to choose ethernet.
Then the AU sees the ethernet client and none of the wireless clients.. brilliant stuff eh??
PS this is just a test setup.. never would I have any TC with such an illegal name.. But I hope it shows you what to do.
Fix the names.. most important.. keep them short.. less than 10 characters all the better.
No spaces and pure alphanumeric.

HT1178 Am I able to access my external hard drive through the Time Capsule when I'm away from my home?

I am out of town a lot and I do a lot of photoshop/scrapbooking. I would like to have my pictures and supplies on one hard drive that I'm able to access whether I'm at home or way. Do you know if this is doable with the Time Capsule? I know I can use the iCloud option but I'd rather not if I don't have to.
Thank you,

So if you don't want to use iCloud and BTMM, how are you going to locate the TC on the internet??
There are several possible ways to directly access TC.. using AFP only.. ie you must use a Mac.
The TC has to be setup correctly to allow remote access or the router you are using does.
But more importantly what IP is the ISP going to give you.. have you purchased a static public IP?? If not your IP is constantly changing and you need to use a dyndns service to provide a connection to the TC.. this is what icloud and btmm do.. but they hide it to make it useless to any other service.
TC does not have a dyndns client that is available for use by enduser.. so you need a decent router that does allow access and dyndns and you can bridge the TC behind it. All a lot of work to avoid icloud.
For more details just google remote access time capsule.. there is plenty of info, youtube videos etc.

Understanding the Time Capsule.

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