HT202174: How to verify or erase an AirPort Time Capsule disk

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D3 Shooter

Q: use AP Time Capsule as a hard drive

Hi, I would like to use a 3 year old, and not being used, left over AP Time Capsule (3GB) as a hard drive (backup) to my MP. 

 

I'd like to know how to turn off its WI-FI and connect either by USB or Ethernet cord. 

 

And erase (secure) the files from its prior use.   Presently I "cannot" see a disk image (as the Apple support page indicated would be present through Airport Utility) to select "disks" and then I erase.  How can I get to see it on my MP as a hard drive and access it from there? 

 

Thanks

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3)

Posted on Oct 8, 2014 5:24 PM

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Q: use AP Time Capsule as a hard drive

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  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Oct 9, 2014 5:01 AM in response to D3 Shooter
    Level 9 (52,330 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 9, 2014 5:01 AM in response to D3 Shooter
    I'd like to know how to turn off its WI-FI and connect either by USB or Ethernet cord.

    Simply open the airport utility and go to the wireless tab.. Turn off the wireless.

     

    wirelessoffau6.png

     

    You cannot connect by USB.. by ethernet is tricky because if the pro is connected to a network by wireless the two must not operate on the same IP range.

     

    I gave instructions here to do it.

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6486672


    To be honest.. you are far better going out and getting a USB2 3TB drive.. and sell the current one on ebay.. USB2 is faster.. cheaper and more reliable than a TC with TM. You will probably make enough on ebay to buy a 4TB USB 3 drive.. assuming your pro is new one.. or FW800 or esata with a card.. any of which will make the TC look like it is standing still.


    To erase the TC simply go to the disk tab and click erase.


    disk tab.png


    diskeraseau6.png


    I strongly recommend the quick erase if  you keep it yourself. It only takes a min or two.


    The next erase takes several hours.


    diskeraseoptionau6.png


    But that is a low level format..


    A 35 pass erase is going to take approx a month. It will likely die before it completes.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Oct 9, 2014 6:17 AM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 7 (23,613 points)
    Safari
    Oct 9, 2014 6:17 AM in response to LaPastenague

    LaPastenague wrote:

     

    A 35 pass erase is going to take approx a month. It will likely die before it completes.

    . I did not know that a 35-pass erase even existed.

  • by D3 Shooter,

    D3 Shooter D3 Shooter Oct 9, 2014 8:17 AM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Oct 9, 2014 8:17 AM in response to LaPastenague

    So I cannot see it after all as a hard drive after erase and turn off wireless?    Does doing a zero out over extended time (it estimates 13 hours via ethernet cord) put a load on the computer or just the TC?  I also thought of using it as a range extender, but I already have an extreme with a newer TC.  This particular TC that I am inquiring about is the former flat top instead of the newer vertical tower design.  Does another range extender defeat the purpose or using the prior model with a newer version slow the connections?  Thanks.

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Oct 9, 2014 4:09 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 9 (52,330 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 9, 2014 4:09 PM in response to Loner T

    Loner T wrote:

     

    LaPastenague wrote:

     

    A 35 pass erase is going to take approx a month. It will likely die before it completes.

    . I did not know that a 35-pass erase even existed.

    Yeah.. if you have the launch codes to the ICBM in your backyard.. or the startup sequence for the Nuclear prototype fusion reactor you are building in the basement.. you definitely need 35 pass erase.. Othewise the Commies might get it.

     

    or use an axe.

  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Oct 9, 2014 4:26 PM in response to D3 Shooter
    Level 9 (52,330 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 9, 2014 4:26 PM in response to D3 Shooter
    So I cannot see it after all as a hard drive after erase and turn off wireless? 

    You have one option and one only.. plug it in by ethernet. BUT how does your Mac Pro connect to the network?? If you have it plugged in by ethernet now, it is 1000% easier and better to simply put the TC into the network. If you do that, either directly or extend wireless using the TC, with the computer still plugged in by ethernet to the TC, you will get full speed 1Gbit connection.

     

    On the other hand if you expect wireless to work.. well you will be growing daisies before the backup is finished. Plus you load the network which has limited bandwidth with stuff you should be doing over local drives.

     

    Is your pro the older tower or new "mini" mac pro model?? The old tower one.. you have the option of simply fitting another sata drive.. hugely better than gigabit.. hugely better for your network. The new pro is going to need lots of external tubs and tanks and devices.. so choose wisely.. otherwise an octopus will look neat.

     

    Does doing a zero out over extended time (it estimates 13 hours via ethernet cord) put a load on the computer or just the TC?

    A zero out is able to run without any connection once started. A 3TB drive will take many hours to low level format though.

     

    Does another range extender defeat the purpose or using the prior model with a newer version slow the connections?

    It is near impossible to answer.. I do not know enough of your setup.. But if you can manage to connect by ethernet.. at full gigabit.. the old TC is just as fast access to the hard disk as the new one.. possibly faster. The new one is superior wireless .. nothing else.

     

    But.. please note what I said.. a USB 2 external drive plugged directly into your computer is still faster than a gigabit network device.. and that is the worst interface.. if you use FW800 better.. USB3 hugely better ... it is 5Gbps.. or Esata which is mostly 3Gbps but some newer is 6Gbps or hugely better but hugely expensive.. thunderbolt 1 or 2 which is 10 or 20Gbps.

     

    Doing stuff over gigabit networks is now slow cf local interfaces. And it is inefficient as the traffic takes a lot more chatter than a local bus. Plus bogging down the network with loads better done locally.