Using Time Capsule as a wired hard drive

Question

Its come to this. I bought two time capsules, and after a month of trying to use them with various up to date macs, they are good for absolutely nothing. Apple refuse to take them back, although to my mind they are clearly not fit for purpose. Folk, my advice is NOT to go near the time capsule. I won't bore you with the details here.
Anyhow, I would like to salvage the situation somewhat and use them as plain old external hard disks, hooked up by ethernet cable. I try to set it up, but it keeps barfing when it complains that the block does not have an IP address. I don't want it to function as a router. I just want access to the terabyte of real estate.
Does anybody have any idea how to get around this one? Advice gratefully received.

Answer 1

Nope. There's no mention of the word "bridge" in the manual. I never got asked whether I wanted to put anything in bridge mode. My TC doesn't know anything about bridges. In that respect, we are alike.
I reset everything for the umpteenth time. I'll do it again, and note the choices I make. Perhaps some kind soul can figure out how to make this stupid thing work.
[1] TC is plugged in. Ethernet cable from laptop to WAN port
[2] Hold the reset button for 5 secs, until the light flashes rapidly.
[3] Have airport utility discover the slab. This is not straightforward, though the TC is beside the laptop. After 30 sec or so, it finds it this time. It reports an IP address and Version 7.3.1. <continue>
[4] Rename TC to "LumpenDing" and provide password. <continue>
[5] Now the critical choice: Here are 3 options.
(A) I have a wireless network and want to add TC or replace an existing device on my network (<grumble> that is so convoluted and ambiguous it is unreal</grumble>)
(B) I don't have a wireless network and I want to create one
(C) I want to connect TC to my computer or network using Ethernet.
I've tried each multiple times. OFr now, I'll take (C). Is this what was meant by a "bridge"?
[6] There are three more choices, two of which again are of the form I want to do X or Y. That ought to be illegal! It is not a fair option if it is of that form. Anyhow, here they are:
(A) ....replace an existing base station or wireless router...
(B) ....wirelessly join my current network
(C) ... connect TC to my network using Ethernet (... or create a 2nd network)
Although my ambitions certainly do not extend to creating a second network, I assume C is the right choice here, no?
[7] Now I get to select the "device or network TC will connect to..".
I select my home network. Now it gives me two options:
Either the TC should be plugged into my router using ethernet, or I should connect a 2nd network. Gah, I just want the **** thing to be a disk. Its connected to my computer. I vainly try the first option, but of course it all goes pear shaped. I feel like throwing the **** thing against the wall. I've had a month of this carry on.
Oh heck. Does anyone know how to make the TC act just like a regular old external disk??? please???? I hate my TC.