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

Learn about How to verify or erase an AirPort Time Capsule disk
daveschell

Q: AirPort Time Capsule does not fully erase

1 - I am selling my AirPort Time Capsule.  I referenced the article here: Verify, repair, or erase an AirPort Time Capsule drive - Apple Support

2 - I completed each step as outlined in the article and set the disc to conduct a secure drive erase with 7 passes, which was completed in just under 24 hours.

3 - I then checked to ensure that it was erased and when I click on the Time Machine Preferences it says that 2TB of 2TB are available.

4 - However; it also has dates marked for "Oldest Backup" and "Latest Backup", which I would have assumed that there would be no data retained, to include my oldest and most recent data backups.

5 - Further, I checked to see why it had these dates and clicked on "Enter Time Machine".  To my surprise, there are a number of very recent backups between today and the "Oldest Backup" date.

 

Of note:

6 - The AirPort Time Machine has been stored since mid September.  It has been unplugged and kept in its original box, undisturbed.  I pulled it out a week or so ago just to check it out and have been using it without any problems - working perfectly and conducting backups.

7 - The "Oldest Backup" is dated from the day I put the unit into storage.  It appears that there are no other "backups" that exist prior to this date; however when I scroll back within the Time Machine there are windows that appear earlier to that date in September, but there are no dates on the top of those windows and I can not access them.

8 - As mentioned, it says that 2TB of 2TB is available so to me this is contradictory?!

9 - The unit was connected to the internet and my computer was accessing the unit the entire time it was conducting the erase process.

10 - I did not attempt to restore from any of these previous dates in case an error occurred and I lost everything!

11 - The AirPort Time Capsule is one of the newer models (tower version) purchased in, I believe, fall 2014 or spring 2015.


Any assistance in helping me erase this drive completely would be great appreciated.  Thank you.

 

Cheers

Dave

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Feb 19, 2016 2:10 PM

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Q: AirPort Time Capsule does not fully erase

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  • by LaPastenague,Solvedanswer

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Feb 20, 2016 3:56 AM in response to daveschell
    Level 9 (52,330 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 20, 2016 3:56 AM in response to daveschell
    3 - I then checked to ensure that it was erased and when I click on the Time Machine Preferences it says that 2TB of 2TB are available.

    It really is erased.. It would show some loss of capacity otherwise.

     

    4 - However; it also has dates marked for "Oldest Backup" and "Latest Backup", which I would have assumed that there would be no data retained, to include my oldest and most recent data backups.

    That info is stored in the local plist.. you also need to reset your local Time Machine.

     

    5 - Further, I checked to see why it had these dates and clicked on "Enter Time Machine".  To my surprise, there are a number of very recent backups between today and the "Oldest Backup" date.

    Time Machine can do local snapshots.. so when the TC is unavailable it stores files in your local hard disk .. this makes it confusing to people.

     

    11 - The AirPort Time Capsule is one of the newer models (tower version) purchased in, I believe, fall 2014 or spring 2015.

    In the disk tab of Time Machine.. make sure it still shows full disk is available. It should show 2TB free here as well as in Time Machine. As long as that is the case you are good to sell.

     

    disktab_elcapo.png

     

    Do one quick erase.. and disconnect it from your network. Do not put it back. Time Machine may still detect it is available.. did you do a factory reset as you need to do this as well to get rid of your passwords etc.

     

    Start from a factory reset. No files are lost on the hard disk doing this.

    Factory reset universal

    Power off the TC.. ie pull the power cord or power off at the wall.. wait 10sec.. hold in the reset button.. be gentle.. power on again still holding in reset.. and keep holding it in for another 10sec. You may need some help as it is hard to both hold in reset and apply power. It will show success by rapidly blinking the front led. Release the reset.. and wait a couple of min for the TC to reset and come back with factory settings. If the front LED doesn’t blink rapidly you missed it and simply try again. The reset is fairly fragile in these.. press it so you feel it just click and no more.. I have seen people bend the lever or even break it. I use a toothpick as tool.

    N.B. None of your files on the hard disk of the TC are deleted.. this simply clears out the router settings of the TC.

  • by daveschell,

    daveschell daveschell Feb 20, 2016 3:59 AM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 20, 2016 3:59 AM in response to LaPastenague

    Perfect perfect perfect.  Thank you so very much.  Not only did you solve the problem, but you also explained the reason why it was occurring, which is just as helpful!  Thanks you.

     

    Have a wonderful day!

     

    Cheers

    Dave