Wireless Time Capsule without Internet Connection?

Hi, I just bought a new 1TB time capsule the other day. So far I've been trying to figure out if it is possible to /just/ use it as a wireless backup, not a router.
To explain my setup:
I've got a Netgear Modem slash Wireless Router upstairs which provides the entire house with an internet connection - it supports WEP 64 and 128 bit, WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key) and WPA-802.1x encryption. My MacBook connects to this network to connect to the internet.
When I bought the Time Capsule I thought I could just use it as a wireless drive that I could find on my network that would do regular backups without having to be plugged in... but after reading through the manual I'm pretty sure I have to get it to join my network for this to be possible (can someone please correct me if I'm wrong).
So, Time Capsule apparently only supports 40 and 128 bit WEP, and some other encryptions, I know the 128bit WEP overlaps (but I'm not sure whether the Time Capsule supports the other two encryption methods on my router). And I'd rather not switch to 128bit encryption (I am using 64) as it requires a 26-character passkey which will probably be too much for the others using the network to remember, and far too much of a hassle to enter on an iPhone or iPod touch.
Hopefully I've provided enough information - if you need any more please ask.
So basically my question is: Is it possible to setup my Time Capsule so that it will wirelessly backup my computer with my current setup (or with little modifications).

Sure you can do that. You need to configure the Time Capsule to join your existing wireless network. That's it.
The Time Capsule supports WEP, WPA, and WPA2 wireless encryption. Those are all the standard wireless encryption options.
You are using 64 bit WEP? That is extremely weak and easily compromised.
And I'd rather not switch to 128bit encryption (I am using 64) as it requires a 26-character passkey which will probably be too much for the others using the network to remember, and far too much of a hassle to enter on an iPhone or iPod touch.
Most devices (including all Macs, iPhones, and iPod touches) will remember the password after you enter it the first time. Then the device will automatically connect next time that it connects to that network.
So basically my question is: Is it possible to setup my Time Capsule so that it will wirelessly backup my computer with my current setup (or with little modifications).
Yes. Configure the Time Capsule to join your existing wireless network. Then configure Time Machine on each Mac to use the Time Capsule as the destination for the Time Machine backup.

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Accessing Time Capsule Without Internet Connection

Simple question: How do I access my Time Capsule without an internet connection?
Thanks,
Mike

Restoring to defaults might be the best way to go. This will not affect your backups.
To do this, simply hold in the reset button on the back of the Time Capsule until you see the amber light begin to blink more quickly. Keep holding another 4-5 seconds when you see this and then release.
If you have a spare ethernet cable handy, I would recommend that you connect it from the Mac to one of the LAN <-> ports on the Time Capsule.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click Continue to follow the guided setup. When you are asked how you want to configure the Time Capsule, choose the "Create a wireless network option"
Keep following the guide until you Update. You'll see a message that you do not have an ethernet connection at the WAN Port and also that you do not have an Internet connection. Click "ignore" to both of these messages and you get a greeen light when the Time Capsule restarts.
Then, set up Time Machine again.
Click System Preferences (gear icon on the dock) and open Time Machine
Click Select Disk
Click your Time Capsule to highlight it
Click Use for Backups
That should get backups going again and also allow you to access your backups by clicking the Time Machine icon on the dock.
You can keep the computer connected using the ethernet cable, or use the wireless on your computer to connect to the wireless network that the Time Capsule is providing.

Can i use time capsule without internet connection?

I bought Time Capsule 4th Gen. 2Tb without knowig that it is a router. I already have Netgear N900, and I don't know if I can use them both together. Currently, it looks like I cannot connect to Apple Time Capsule (ATC) without the internet connection. I neither have to figure out how to use ATC without the internet, or figure out way to use both of the router at the same time. Please help me with this problem. This is my first MacbookPro, and everything is new to me. I would appreciate any kind of help! Thank you!

Ok .. this is pretty easy.
You plug the WAN port on TC into the N900 LAN port by ethernet.
Open the airport utility on the Mac.
Simply allow it to automatically setup and it should select bridge mode.. if not just jump in at the end .. click on the edit under the summary and go to the network tab and select bridge.
Then go to the wireless tab and make sure you are creating a wireless name.. you can give it the same name as the N900 same security same password.. this is called roaming network.
Or use a different name.. use short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric.
I have given a different name to 5ghz.
It will not matter which wireless you connect to but the TC is faster on the 5ghz for backups.

1st generation Time Capsule - unstable internet connection

Hello,
I just bought new mac (iMac 27') and Time Capsule (1st generation firmware 7.6.3) When i connected Time Capsule instead my old router, internet connection is very tricky. When my iMac is connected by Lan cable and Wifi on mac is off , everything is fine. But when any device (iPhone, iPad) connect on wifi, internet connection becomes very unstable (including iMac on lan cable!!!). But wifi connection inside my network seems ok (i can use time capsule with no problem).
In the AirPort utility is the "pilot lamp" near the Time Capsule still green. But between Time Capsule and internet change green and amber color every 30 sec (estimate).
I tried both (2.4 and 5 GHz) WiFi but with no solution. When i use my old router, everythink is ok. Or when I unplug all WiFi devices (WiFi router on time capsule can still runs) and my iMac is connected by cable, everything is ok too.
I don't know if is it known problem, but i guess it can be hardware trouble.
Thank you for any answer
Jan

Ok, that is Gen4.
And the fault is unusual.
I recommend a full factory reset.
But downgrade the firmware first. 7.6.3 is known to be problematic. Simply hold down the option key whilst you select version in the airport utility.You can only go back to 7.6.1 though.
The quick method of factory reset.
Power down the TC.
Hold in reset. and keep holding it in. Gently it is a tiny surface mount switch with a plastic lever.. Attempting to push it out the other side of the TC will not make the switch turn on.
(I fix TC and have several reset levers bent over and jammed).
Power on the TC.. this needs three arms.. a friend or power switch you can get to with your feet..
Keep holding in reset for about 10sec until the front LED flashes rapidly.
Release reset and wait .. the boot will be slow as it deletes previous setting.. only from router side and pulls out the factory defaults.
Setup wireless and TC with short names .. no spaces and pure alphanumeric. Use different name for 5ghz.
I also recommend you install the old utility so you can access the TC log.. the new v6 utility has no log access.. so you are completely without clues as to what is happening. Not that the log is exactly helpful but it is worth a look.
How to load 5.6 into ML.
1. Download 5.6 for Lion.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Click to open the dmg but do not attempt to install the pkg.. it won't work anyway.
Leave the package open on the desktop so you can see the file. AirportUtility56.pkg
2. Download and install unpkg.
http://www.timdoug.com/unpkg/
Run unpkg on the desktop.. If your Mac refuses to run the software, because it wasn’t downloaded from the Apple store, go to security in preferences and allow other software to work.. this is limitation of trade methinks. You can set back later if you like.
Now drag the AirPortUtility56.pkg file over to unpkg.. and it will create a new directory of the same name on the desktop.. in finder, open the new directory, drill down.. applications, utilities .. there lo and behold is Airport utility 5.6 .. drag it to your main utilities directory or just run it from current location.
You cannot uninstall version 6 (now 6.3 if you updated) so don't try.. and you cannot or should not run them both at the same time.. although I have had no problems when doing so.
For screen shots see this post.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4668746?tstart=0

Connecting 2 computers thru Time Capsule without Internet?

I had started a question in another area (Mountain Lion) because I am trying desperately to migrate a Windows PC running Windows 7 to a new iMac. The Migration assistant on both computers does not find any computers. The Apple Care people say I am doing everything right, but now some people online are saying that I can't do this wirelessly thru Time Capsule (which we have and is the router for our office which the PC is connected to wirelessly).
The new Mac is in set up beginning mode (meaning it has not been set up wirelessly or anything yet), because on launch it offers to move the data from the PC to set up the new Mac. It is stuck "looking for a computer"
Here is the whole discussion:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/23377824#23377824
Today I went by an Apple store to ask their opinion and the guy told me that I can't connect the 2 computers via ethernet (even though that is what the Migration insturctions say to do), but he said that I shoud be able to connect each computer via ethernet to the Time Capsule and have them recognize each other.
Does this sound right to any of you???
The PC is clear across the room and no where near the internet line, so I would either have to buy a REALLY long ethernet cable to drag over to it, or take the whole computer apart to try and get it near the TC. The mac of course is no problem to move.
I just don't want to do all this if this will not really act as a network (I guess as a server of sorts).
I am confused as the TC manual says that it can be used without internet, but I don't seehow (I've tried rebooting it without a connection). I do not know why the internet is involved at all since what we need is the TC to act as a wireless router (which it is) and do not need to involve the internet at all to link the 2 computers.
I am just totally frustrated that these computers should just communicate wirelessly and/or with each other somehow and do not seem to, as Apple says they should. I know this will turn out to be something really simple and dumb and I'm just not seeing it.
Is it not possible to take the TC and reboot it with the 2 computers connected to it and create a network using the TC as a server or router without needing any internet just so I can get this stuff from the PC migrated (and then never have to deal with it again!!!!)
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

I think where the confusion lies is that this is a brand new Mac and NEVER been set up. We are trying to Migrate from the Windows on initial setup - which is what the Mac asks you when you first start it: Language, Keyboard (english) and then if you are setting a New Mac or wanting to tranfer your info to set up from another Mac or from a PC. You choose PC and the MA automatically looks for the other PC. The Windows MA does the same thing. You launch it on the PC and it looks for the Mac to connect to.
They are not "finding" each other - even when connected directly via the ethernet cable to each other as dictated by the MA instructions (see the link you provided and click:
Transferring with the Setup Assistant that appears when your Mac starts up for the first time
This is what I am doing. This is what 2 different guys from Apple Care also said was correct.
They do not communicate. This is why some in the ML discussion area are telling me I can't do this with an ethernet cable even though these are the instructions. They are telling me to use the TC as a router between them.
The PC is already wirelessly connected to the TC but when I connect the Mac to the TC it still does nothing (because I assume it hasn't been "set up" yet to the wireless network).
I did not want to set up the Mac initially on its own because then you create a User and Password and when you migrate it creates a second User and will not migrate into the initial one you set up, ergo you forever are stuck with 2 users on login and 2 sets of stuff taking up space in your Mac.
It should do this on start up. I have NO doubt this is a PC issue, even though I disabled everything I could possibly see to do on it (this is why I need the PC geek in the UK to make sure). The Apple techs have told me some people have to disable and reboot this stuff several times (ARGH!) LOL!
Anyway I did wonder when I tried yesterday to simply take TC off the internet connection and set it up on its own, I could never get it to stop looking for internet (I rebooted it and reinstalled it with a new name and password), but when you look at it in Airport Utility (I'm using a Macbook for the set up), you see it still blinking looking for internet.
I could not find any instructions for someone to use the TC as a router only or as a server, even though you can see there are more choices in the AU setup tabs. The one guy at the Apple store (not Apple Care) said that if I connected the 2 computers to the TC it would act as a router and they could "see" each other for me to setup - but this did not work, hence I came here.
Hope I'm making sense! Thanks so much for your help.

Can i use new TC to connect wirelessly to home network and plug my tv into the time capsule for internet connectivity?

My new tv needs to plug into an ethernet port for internet connectivity.
I'm hoping it can plug into my TC however my TC is wirelessly connected to my current home network... how can i get this to work?
TC version A1470 (i think, brand new)
Many thanks.
Ben

If the TC is connected to a wireless network provided by another Apple router, then the TC extends the network by default, and the Ethernet ports are enabled on the TC.
If the TC is connected to a third party network wirelessly, then it must have been setup to "join" the wireless network. When the TC is set up this way, the TC becomes a wireless hard drive and nothing more. The Ethernet ports are not enabled when the TC "joins" a wireless network.
So, a logical first troubleshooting step would be to confirm "how" the TC is currently set up. To do that.....assuming that you are using a current or recent version of AirPort Utility on your Mac.......
Open AirPort Utility
Click on the TC icon, then click Edit in the smaller window
Click the Wireless tab at the top of the window
Check the setting for Network Mode and report on that

Using Time Capsule Without Network Connection

In my room I have a USB printer connected to my Time Capsule. Without configuring the time capsule to connect to my home's wireless network I'd like to:
- Back up to my time capsule wirelessly using Time Machine
- Be able to print wirelessly
Is this possible? If so, how?
Thank you.

No it isn't possible.
Edit.. LOL!! my answer is opposite to BOB.. I assume you want internet at the same time. He is assuming you will swap from using internet to only using the TC in local network and hence removing all internet connections. So my answer is based on how to get them working at the same time.
What you want is two separate wireless networks.. with no links. And to use both networks simultaneously on only one wireless client card. No can do!!
What is possible.
You have to connect the TC to the main wireless router. I strongly recommend this be done by ethenet or an ethernet replacement technology like Ethernet over Power EOP .. the adapters are now cheap and fast enough for wireless link. You will turn off wireless in the TC although you can also set it up with identical ssid and security on a different channel.. then you have one flat network and all devices can roam.
Alternatively..
You need two wireless clients in the laptop/computer you use.
You can buy a usb stick compatible with the OS used.. os x although you nowhere state the type of system. USB stick wireless are cheap and plenty are available that will work fine with Mac OS drivers.
On the USB stick, setup manual network with different IP subnet to the main router, and no gateway or dns. This will allow you to communicate to two different subnets at the same time. (On OS X it does not strictly need such care with gateway and dns as you can control the order of devices better than on a pc.. just the same I would do it manually)
Of course you could also just plug in ethernet and do the same thing.
As per Bob definitely do the backup numero uno by ethenet.. it will take ages by wireless and the chance of a corrupted backup is so so much greater in which case it will just start again.

Time capsule losing internet connection

Hey there,
I've read other people with similar issues, but haven't found a solid resolution yet. Hoping you awesome Mac folks can help me out. It's slightly confusing, but please let me know what you think. Sorry this is long, just trying to give the full situation.
I have a 1 TB Time Capsule that I'm using as a router so that my two MB Pro's, 2 Iphones and one Samsung Blu-ray player can all wirelessly reach the internet. I recently moved and for the first month, I had no problem at all, now, I have the same problem (which I had at my old place) where my devices can see the TC, but still have no internet connection. The light on the TC is green, my airport indicator shows full bars and there's a check mark next to my network, so all seems a-ok. Safari or Firefox will give me the yellow box saying no internet connection. I can go into my airport utility, change the channel, re-start, etc, and then it's hit or miss whether or not I can connect to the internet when it comes back up. I continually reboot my macs and that may or may not work.
My two MBP's are 2.4 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo running 10.5.8. My TCs software is 7.5.2.
I used to have AT&T DSL and now I have Sonic Fusion (Broadband using ADSL2+). So, two different modems, two different companies and the same problem. I know that the internet is reaching the TC, because if I remove the ethernet plug from the back of the TC and go directly into the MBP, internet works fine. I plug it back into the TC, the light goes green, yet, still no internet.
Thanks for listening to this lengthy problem. Just trying to give all the facts.
Although I really really don't think this is the problem, I need to add that at this new place, I'm using Powerline Adapters. So I'm going from the phone outlet in a far away room, into the modem, modem ethernet out into the Powerline in the far away room, Powerline in the living room, then into the TC, which feeds everything else. Right now, both MBP's are connecting to the internet fine, but the Blu-ray player won't connect. Last night one MBP could connect while the other wouldn't.
I've tried Airport changing channels, changing robustness, changing the "service order" in my network preferences so that "Airport" is on top (did this last night to one of the MBPs). Last night I unhooked everything, then hooked it all back up. Things worked again. This morning, both MBPs worked fine. Both went to an office and worked there, then back home again and working fine. So, maybe resetting things helped. But like I said, right now, both MBP's are working, but the blu-ray won't.
Thanks again for any ideas. My next step is to reset the TC, unless anyone has any other suggestions.

editing to add my TC configuration:
Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network
Radio Mode: 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)
Security: WPA/WPA2 Personal
Channel 7 (this channel isn't used as much, checked with istumbler)
Connect Using: Ethernet
IP Address 70.36....
Connection Sharing: Off (bridge mode)
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
hopefully this is enough info...
thanks again.

Time Capsule As Internet Connection for XBox 360

I just got a refurb 500 GB Time Capsule today. Is it possible to use it to connect to my wireless network and then use an ethernet port to hook up my XBox for internet? I have a Linksys WRT54G as my current wireless router. My Xbox isn't near the router and I don't have the wireless adapter for my Xbox, I usually do internet connection sharing on my laptop and plug the Xbox into the ethernet port on my laptop.
Thanks!

If your Windows boxes are on the same WiFi network, that could be. I use to work with PC's and Macs combined. Not to bash Windows , but a number of problems we had were always Windows related.
You might try and just unhook your Windows boxes and see if it goes away! LOL

HT1218 Airport Time Capsule losing internet connection after 3 hours

I just got a Time Capsule and my internet connection seems to time out after 3 hours or so. My macbook/iphones/ipad seem to still connect to the internet but there is no internet connection. The only fix seems to be unplugging the modem every 3 hours. I think I have the most updated systems on everything. Does anyone know what I need to do?

Hi there Tharv23,
You may want to reset your base station to factory settings as an inital troubleshooting step. Take a look at the article below for more information.
Resetting an AirPort base station FAQ
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3728
iOS and OS X: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4199
-Griff W.

TS1253 Print via Time Capsule without being connected to my router

My router and my printer are in two different places.
It all prints well when the TC (Time Capsule) is connected via Ethernet cable to my router and printer connected via USB to TC
Can I use Time Capsule to print even if it is not connected to the router via Ethernet cable?
My TC is connected via USB to the printer but TC is not connected to the router because the TC and the router are not in the same place. Why can't I print via wi-fi?
Thanks,
l.cello

If I want a fast backup I use the Ethernet cable.
The Ethernet ports are not enabled when you configure the Time Capsule to "join" the network using wireless only. You can only backup using wireless, whether you have Ethernet connected or not. Apparently, the "support" folks did not tell you about this.
I just do not see why this setup would take longer.
You are kidding, correct?
Gigabit Ethernet is 1,000 Mbps.
With a fantastic wireless connection, you might get 200-250 Mbps. Most users see about 100-130 Mbps.
As for why your Time Capsule setup will take twice as long as normal wireless .....
Backups have to make a wireless "double hop". Hop one is from your Mac to the wireless router. Hop two is from the wireless router back to the Time Capsule. Two hops = double the time.
Since you can only use wireless, your actual backup speed will be in the range of 100-125 Mbps, maximum. When you try your first backup on a Mac, it will likely take days, not a few hours as it should.
Since you have another hard drive attached to the Time Capsule, any copies of transfers to this drive will be exceedingly slow as well.
Unfortunately, the support folks did you no favors by providing the steps to this type of installation.
At least, they could have told you about the downsides.....which can all be avoided by connecting your Time Capsule to your modem/router using an Ethernet cable as the Setup Guide recommends.
thought that another reason to have and use a TC is to be able to use USB peripherals connected to the TC in wi-fi, like printers. This was the center of my question to start with.
Easy to do if the Time Capsule is connected to your modem/router using an Ethernet cable.
If you will, let us know how long that first backup of your Mac takes using your setup.

Airport time capsule losing Internet connection?

My airport time capsule is losing Internet connection but I still have wifi? Any suggestions?

It could be your modem, or other problem on the ISP's end. Try resetting your modem - power it down and let it rest for a few minutes, then power it back up again.
If it is a cable modem, also disconnect its coaxial cable - literally unscrew it and leave it detached while the modem is powered down.
Leave the TC powered up during that time.
After a sufficient amount of time has elapsed reconnect the cable and power up the cable modem. If you're still having trouble contact your ISP.
The possibility of a TC problem exists but the sort of failure you describe is not common. If all else fails perform a "hard reset" followed by reconfiguring the TC. Your Time Machine backups will not be affected.

Time capsule with internet connection problem

I have connected time capsule with my Airtel India Broadband modem. I am not able to access internet. When i see them in Airport utility Time capsule blinks in yellow and internet in stable yellow. Help required!

Open Airport Utility and select the Time Capsule. What does the Status show?
For Airport Utility 5.5.3 and 5.6, open Airport Utility and click Manual Setup. Check the Status.

Time Capsule drops Internet connection for 2-5 seconds

Is anyone having an issue with losing internet connection for about 2-5 seconds randomly? Started after I got the Time Capsule. First noticed it when my phone calls would drop for a second(Vonage). Did not think much of it until I noticed it dropping while playing online games?
Any Ideas? I hear it could be the latest firmware upgrade but can’t remember if this happened before.

If your Windows boxes are on the same WiFi network, that could be. I use to work with PC's and Macs combined. Not to bash Windows , but a number of problems we had were always Windows related.
You might try and just unhook your Windows boxes and see if it goes away! LOL

Time Capsule losing DSL connection

I have the following problem: my Time Capsule loses internet connection every 2-3 days. It is connected to the internet via D-Link DSL-300G modem, and I have several wireless devices that connect to the TC. I am quite sure that the problem is with the TC and not the modem.
Basically, every 2-3 days, the wireless devices suddenly cannot find any web-sites anymore and just show "Looking for ..." message when trying to load a web-site, but they remain connected to the TC wireless network. The light on the TC remains solid green, and the lights on the modem indicate that everything works properly.
Restarting the TC through the AirPort utility from my laptop does not help. The only thing that works is to disconnect and re-connect back power to the TC.
Before the TC, I was using a Linksys wireless router with the same D-Link modem without any problems.
The TC settings in the AirPort utility are as follows:
Internet Connection
Connect Using: Ethernet
Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
Connection Sharing: Share a Public IP address
TCP/IP
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
NAT
Enable NAT Port Mapping Protocol is checked
I appreciate your help.

Welcome to the discussions!
You already have all of the correct configuration settings for the TC, so there are really no other options in this regard.
+I am quite sure that the problem is with the TC and not the modem.+
In that case, you're only option is to try a replacement TC to see if that will perform better for you. Apple may likely ask you to connect your computer directly to the modem for a few days to see if you have any connection difficulties with that type of configuration.
If you do, then the modem may be showing its age or the service providers cabling to your house may need to be repaired or replaced. If the connection remains stable, then you have a strong case to ask for a replacement TC.

Wireless Time Capsule without Internet Connection?

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