Using Time Capsule w/ External HD

I am looking to purchase a Time Capsule but would first like to know if this is possible.
I would like to use the drive in the TC as my Time Machine drive. I would also like to affix an external USB hard drive to the TC and use this drive as a shared network drive.
Is this possible...?
If yes, is is possible to set up unique permissions for different users to the shared drive. Basically I have three MBPs I would like to have the TC back up, but only two of which I want to access the network drive.
Thanks in advance.

the advisor wrote:
I am looking to purchase a Time Capsule but would first like to know if this is possible.
I would like to use the drive in the TC as my Time Machine drive. I would also like to affix an external USB hard drive to the TC and use this drive as a shared network drive.
Is this possible...?
Yes. Just be sure the TC's internal HD is large enough -- 2-3 times the size of all the data to be backed-up. If it isn't, you can connect another external HD, and back one of the Macs up to it.
Also note that you cannot back up the shared drive with Time Machine, at least not while it's connected to the Time Capsule.
If yes, is is possible to set up unique permissions for different users to the shared drive. Basically I have three MBPs I would like to have the TC back up, but only two of which I want to access the network drive.
Yes.

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Can i use time capsule for external h drive and also for time machine?

Can i use time capsule for external h drive and also for time machine?

Hello, vascocaco.
If I understand correctly, you're wondering if you can use your Time Capsule's internal hard disk both for Time Machine backups and as an ordinary drive. Is this your question?
You can, but Time Machine backups may take longer.
To do it, you should partition your Time Capsule's hard disk to create one volume for the backups and one for other files.

Can I use Time Capsule as external storage and not for Time Machine?

Can I use Time Capsule as external storage and not for Time Machine?
I want to just use it like a USB drive but wirelessly and so other people in my suite can use it wirelessly to get the files I put on there. Let me know if you need me to explain some more

Will the Time Capsule come with directions on how to set it up as external storage rather then time machine.
Yes, AirPort Utility will walk you through the setup.
Because when I watched the video on it it says that time machine is automatically recognized
You have to turn Time Machine "On" for each Mac separately. By default, it is "Off". Leave it off if you do not want to use Time Machine. If by some chance Time Machine is "On", then turn it "Off"

Can i use time capsule as external hard drive for both mac and windows

I have a mac book pro, ipad and iphone and ipod and a windows pc
Can i use time capsule as a external hard disk only for all of the above ( including windows ) without the back up activity for mac ?

You cannot access the TC from iOS devices without a browser. eg filebrowser.
Can i use time capsule as a external hard disk only for all of the above ( including windows ) without the back up activity for mac ?
Yes, with the following proviso.. the TC is not able to back itself up.. so if you store files on the TC without backups one day you will discover all your files are gone because of a hard drive failure of the TC. TM also cannot backup TC.. so you will need to buy a proper backup software.
It is also much slower than a real NAS..
And windows can be a bit painful.. especially windows 8.. other versions should work if you spend the time getting everything set right.

Using Time Capsule as external hard drive on a PC, and beyond...

I need to achieve two separate things with my new 500GB TC. The first is to send it to a friend on the other side of the country for her to use Time Capsule with her PC as an external hard drive.
I then want to take those files (once sent back to me from CA), and put them on my computer. After that I just want to use Time Capsule with Time Machine, but I'm pretty sure I can figure that set-up out.
My question is, is this possible? And if so, what is the easiest process to tell my PC friend in order for her to connect Time Capsule as an external?
The reason I am attempting to do this is because I didn't see a need to buy an external and TC as well. The guy at the Mac store said it would be easy to do this, but I'm rather computer illiterate.
That being said, I apologize for my ignorance in regards to the use of Time Capsule, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Brody M. Nasse

Well, you just hook the Time Capsule up (either wirelessly or wired via ethernet) and for the PC you will want to install AirPort Utility, run it, and then she will be able to copy files to it. Then when it gets back to you you can run AirPort Utility (it is located in Applications/Utilities) and then access the files she put on your Time Capsule.

Want to use Time Capsule as external hard drive / Time Capsule als externe Festplatte

Can somebody tell me what steps I have to take to use my TC as an external hard drive? Thanks! / Kann mir jemand einmal genau erklären, wie ich meine Time Capsule als externe Festplatte für meine Fotos etc. nutzen kann? Mein 128 GB Mac Book Air kommt nämlich an seine Grenzen:) Brauche ich dafür eine weitere externe Festplatte oder kann ich den Speicherplatz nutzen, den die TC hat und auf dem im Moment immer die automatischen Bachups über Time Machine gespeichert werden? Danke!

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HT201250 How can i use Time Capsule as External Drive

Hey Guys,
I just have query about time capsual , How can i use time capsule as my external drive as i have 2TB with me i can take the Backup as well i can put all my pic and music in time Machine if i can use as External HD ! Can some one Please help me in this will be highly appreceate.
Thanks
Monal Thakkar
Amrapali Group

You need to get an external HD for the "overflow" of stuff that won't fit on your Mac.
Format it for a Mac (see #1 in Using Disk Utility), even if it says it's compatible.
Then copy what you want to the external HD. Most things you can just drag and drop; but for iTunes and iPhotos see: Moving your iTunes Music folder and Moving your iPhoto '11 Library.
Then let your Time Capsule back up both your Mac and the external HD. See Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #32 for info and details.

Using Time Capsule as External Drive for iTunes Music Folder in iTunes 9

First, prior to upgrading to Snow Leopard and iTunes 9, I had my 210 GB of music on a 1TB Time Capsule which I accessed wirelessly through my Macbook Black and I set my path to the "iTunes Music (External) Folder" I created on the Time Capsule as the default path for iTunes to access the iTunes Music (External) Folder. My iTunes Library and Album Art reside on the Macbook hard drive. Unless I opened iTunes when the Macbook was disconnected from the Time Capsule (e.g., not at home), it always remembered the drive path the next time it was opened and would play music fine. If I had to reset the drive path, iTunes would remember it (again, unless I was disconnected from my Time Capsule). Now, under iTunes 9.0.1 and Snow Leopard, iTunes always defaults back to the iTunes Media Folder on the Macbook each time I open iTunes even if I set the path to the Time Capsule. The TC is also used as my airport connection to the cable modem and Home Sharing is enabled. Oddly, iTunes seems to play music just fine even though the drive path to the iTunes Music (External) Folder is not being utilized, which it would not do under the old version of iTunes. A screenshot is below. Anyone know what is going on here?
/Users/seanrichardson/Desktop/Screenshot_1.png

Make sure the Time Capsule is ready and mounted before launching iTunes.
You can add it (the Time Capsule) to your Login items in System prefs -> Accounts.

Using Time Capsule and External FW Drive for TM Backups

Wondering if this can be done, or if anyone is successfully doing it.
Here's what I want to do:
Use a 1TB Time Capsule to backup wirelessly and a FW800 external drive for speed in case I need to reinstall. Therefore having 2 backups? I've been down the road of using SD (cloning) and am ready to move on to another backup strategy. Cloning works fine but it dedicates a drive 100% of the time where TM doesn't.
One thing I did with an old 2.5" 80GB HD in an enclosure that I like a lot is put 10.6.2 on it along with Disk Warrior 4.2, Tech Tool Pro, and Drive Genius to use as a startup and repair disk.

D/FW wrote:
Use a 1TB Time Capsule to backup wirelessly and a FW800 external drive for speed in case I need to reinstall. Therefore having 2 backups?
You can do that, but not simultaneously. TM only has one destination a a time; you can back up to the TC, then select the external HD via TM Preferences, then switch back.
I've been down the road of using SD (cloning) and am ready to move on to another backup strategy. Cloning works fine but it dedicates a drive 100% of the time where TM doesn't.
I don't know what you mean by that. I use CarbonCopyCloner (similar to SD) in addition to full TM backups, so I have two separate, independent backups, on two separate drives, and get the advantages of both. You can partition an external drive (but not a Time Capsule), so you could have your clone on one partition, and other things in one or more additional partitions (I do that as well). As long as the "clone" partition is the same size as your internal HD (or at a minimum, at least 15% larger than the amount of data on it), you can use the rest of the space for anything else.
See #5 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* at the top of this forum for detailed instructions on setting-up a drive for Time Machine. The same procedure works for setting one up for a clone and other partition(s), too.

Using Time Capsule as External HD

How can I use my time capsule as an external HD? It works with time machine for backup but I can't drag and drop files onto it or make new folders...

Note: you can't move the folders from the left rail because these are alias. You can however open your hard drive folder and drag and drop the folders such as Documents, Shared, etc or files from there directly into your Time Capsule.
Another Option: From within your Data folder of your Time Capsule click on the Action pull-down (looks like a gear) inside the window next to your view options. There you can select New Folder.
This will add a new untitled folder inside your Time Capsule HD. You should then be able to rename the folder as you wish and move the files and folders into this new folder.
This worked for me, hopefully it will work for you.

Can I use Time Capsule as external drive with a Time Capsule?

I have a Time Capsule set up with AirPort and it works well for backups. Can I buy a second Time Capsule and plug it into this TC with ethernet and use it as an external drive?

jshafer wrote:
So, you are recommending using a USB drive into the TC or using an NAS plugged into the ethernet port...is that correct?
Yes, correct. USB drive is not fast but it is still mostly going to be faster than wireless.. it is of course slower than ethernet.. so what you are using on your clients dictates what is the rate determining step of the network.
Am I correct in thinking that an NAS using ethernet connection would be faster than USB?
Does a true NAS have its own internal backup system?
Yes, to both.. but remembering the client has to be able to make use of it. ie is also ethernet.
True NAS is faster than TC as they use RAID systems.. more reliable.. you can replace disks in the raid.. TC is sealed.. and all decent NAS will be able to back themselves up to a USB drive.. on incremental basis.. which is major shortcoming when people try and use the TC in this role.

Can I use Time Capsule as external hard drive?

I've been getting "your startup disk is almost full" message, so I bought myself a Time Capsule on the advice of a friend. My question is...can I store stuff on my Time Capsule instead of my laptop? And if so, can my computer access the info in the Time Capsule? Specifically....if I don't have my music library stored on my computer, will iTunes still be able to access my library if I want to play some music, AND would my Sonos system be able to access it?
If I've just wasted 400 bucks on something I didn't really want....what SHOULD I get to store stuff on but that I can still access via iTunes, or my Apple TV, etc?
Thanks for any help, everybody!

1. You can, but are better off putting it on a regular external drive and using the Time Capsule for backups and as a router.
2. Yes.
3. Launch iTunes with the Option key held down and choose a library on it.
4. Noting #1, a regular external drive. You can generally use any USB one, but ones not specifically intended for Macs will need to be reformatted first.
(112894)

Use time capsule as external hard drive

Hi, I'd like to know if can I use my time capsule as an external wi-fi hard drive, I just want to copy selected files to it, and call them when I need it, thanks!

OK.. I am going to do battle on this one.
The OP asked..
I'd like to know if can I use my time capsule as an external wi-fi hard drive, I just want to copy selected files to it, and call them when I need it, thanks!
I took the JUST seriously.. he just wants to use it for external wifi hard drive.. so how does he get internet and how is the TC connected into the mixture..
We cleared that up.. he then asked.
My question is, can I use that "hard drive" to save some info that I use frecuently (I'm a recording studio owner and I have a lot of recording sessions) So, I'd like to save it in my time capsule and call them whenever I want
Now if you were advising somebody for external storage of recording sessions.. as a studio owner.. ie this is a business and recording sessions are pretty valuable I imagine.. and pretty big.. would you in all honest recommend a Time Capsule..
You already stated you would not recommend it in business and then you want to fight me because I did not recommend it.. ???
He also said the files are used frecuently (sic).. and is the TC suitable for frequently used files.. each time you access the file the hard disk has to spin up.. as it is designed to spin down within a min of inactivity.. and that spin down cannot be reset.. because the TC is designed as a backup target for Time Machine not a NAS.. try it yourself.. open a file on a stopped TC and see how long it takes before the TC is ready to even respond.. and open the file. Many applications will toss up errors if they cannot open a file within a few seconds.. this will be a constant problem if directly using the files on the TC.

Using Time Capsule as external hard drive

Hi. I have a Mac Book Pro, and external hard drive, and now, a Time Capsule. Since I don't have a Mac, all photos and music (occasional backups, etc.) have been stored on the one external hard drive. I got the Time Capsule to replace the external hard drive as primary (keeping it as secondary)–in addition to using the Time Machine.
If I'm understanding correctly, I open finder, open Shared>AirPort>Data–and then drag and drop all the files currently on the external hard drive onto this window? Is this correct? Will it COPY, and be accessibe, and not cause problems?
Will it mean, as I hope it means, that my MacBook and iPad will be able to open and use iTunes and iPhoto through this AirPort? (Instead of having to plug-in the external drive.)
I'd love to use the Time Machine as well. But can hold off, continuing to back up only occassionally, since this dual purposing may not to be advised?
Thank you for your guidance.

Will there be a problem running Time Machine in the back ground while using the Time Capsule's internal hard drive manually?
No.
Thus far, instead of using Time Machine in an automated mode, I've turned it on when I want to make a new back-up. Will it be necessary to run Time Machine in manual mode only or can I use its automated feature?
Or–I may be seeing the light–will running the two in tandem allow me to save each new back-up on both devices simultaneously, keeping both drives up to date?
I would suggest that you consider changing your backup strategy. Time Machine was designed to be an automatic "run and forget" operation that performs incremental backups of your Mac's internal hard drive. It will also backup an external hard drive attached directly to your Mac. Running it manually is not very effecient and you stand the chance of not getting a very recent (they run once an hour) backup when you need it.
For Time Machine I would suggest that you continue to use your external hard drive as is and dedicate your new Time Capsule for Time Machine backups. If you still need more external storage, you can always add additional external USB hard drives to the USB port on the Time Capsule.
Even better you will also want to include a second "full-clone" method to your backup strategy. This method will make a full copy of your Mac's internal disk drive that is bootable. Why do this? In case your Mac has a fatal hard disk crash, you can use the clone backup to boot your Mac back up and continue to use it within seconds. Without the clone backup, you would first need to install a new drive, then load a fresh copy of OS X, and then, perform a restore from Time Machine. This can take a while.
To perform these clone backups, I would recommend that you get another external USB hard drive with a capacity at least twice that of your current internal drive. I use Western Digital My Passport drives for this purpose, but any similar drive should do. To create the clone backup I would suggest using either SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner.
I would suggest that you create a new clone backup at least once a month or more often if your data is critical to you. Just connect a dedicated clone drive to any available USB port on your Mac and run the clone software to make the clone backup.

Confused - Using Time Capsule as External HD and Using TC With Time Machine

Hello,
I've been using my Time Capsule for about a month now and I am very pleased. I have only been using it as an external hard drive as I wasn't really worried about backing EVERYTHING up. Yesterday my macbook's internal drive messed up and after reinstalling all my apps I've decided that running Time Machine would be a good idea.
So, I currently have 120 GBs of stuff on my 500 GB Time Capsule. Can I simply create a folder on the Time Capsule and set Time Machine to make backups to that folder? Also, is there a way I can limit how much space Time Machine will take up without partitioning the drive?
Thanks in advance,
Josh.

time machine will make a sparse bundle in your TC - so no need to make a folder.
"Also, is there a way I can limit how much space Time Machine will take up without partitioning the drive? "
no, you can not limit the space, and you can not partition the TC drive unless you physically take it out of the box, put it in a firewire enclosure, partition, than put it all back.
for this reason, i use superduper for my backups.

Using Time Capsule w/ External HD

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