rodrigotrindade

Q: Time Capsule conectivity issue with Windows 7

Hello,

 

I own a A1309 Time Capsule with 3TB of memory and it has stopped working with my Windows PC for a while. It used to connect normally not long ago, but now the drive doesn't appear and I can't access the Time Capsule through AirPort Utility unless I type in the IP Address. I have a lot of archives stored into the drive and can't access it from any PC that runs Windows in my house.

 

My system settings are:

  • RAM - 8 GB
  • Intel Core i5-2430M 2.40 GHz
  • 64 bit
  • Windows 7 Professional

 

I know that the Time Capsule is working normally, because I can access it from an old iMac I have here.

 

Other details: my Time Capsule is on system version 7.6.7 and I also have the latest Airport Utility installed on my PC.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Rodrigo Trindade

Time Capsule, Windows 7

Posted on Jun 22, 2016 3:21 PM

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Q: Time Capsule conectivity issue with Windows 7

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jun 22, 2016 3:48 PM in response to rodrigotrindade
    Level 9 (53,940 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 22, 2016 3:48 PM in response to rodrigotrindade

    To start, can you access the Time Capsule (TC) using AirPort Utility for Windows from your PC? Did the issue start after updating the TC to firmware version 7.6.7?

  • by rodrigotrindade,

    rodrigotrindade rodrigotrindade Jun 22, 2016 6:59 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 22, 2016 6:59 PM in response to Tesserax

    I can, but it doesn't appear right away. I need to insert manually the IP Address, then the TC shows up on Airport Utility. And I believe it did starting estou show problems after a firmware update, but I'm not sure which one. I suddenly noticed it wasn't identifying the drive anymore.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jun 23, 2016 7:57 AM in response to rodrigotrindade
    Level 9 (53,940 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 23, 2016 7:57 AM in response to rodrigotrindade

    If you haven't already, be sure to temporarily disable the Windows 7 software firewall.

     

    When attempting to access the TC from the AirPort Utility is your PC connected to the network by Ethernet or by wireless? If by Ethernet, do you know if the Ethernet portion of your network is configured to use jumbo frames? That is, the MTU value is set to 9000+?

     

    Finally, do you have your network configured for IPv6 Link-local only?

  • by rodrigotrindade,

    rodrigotrindade rodrigotrindade Jun 23, 2016 3:16 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 23, 2016 3:16 PM in response to Tesserax

    I disabled it. My internet is connected wirelessly, and from the proprieties I see that the IPv6 connectivity doesn't have access to the internet. 

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jun 23, 2016 3:41 PM in response to rodrigotrindade
    Level 9 (53,940 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 23, 2016 3:41 PM in response to rodrigotrindade

    Let's double-check to see that the AirPort Utility for Windows is properly installed on your PC.

     

    For Windows 7, the AirPort Utility for Windows will have two applications listed in Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Uninstall or change a program: 1) AirPort & 2) Bonjour

    • Move or delete the following file from the C:\Windows\System32 folder: dnssd.dll (Note: This is the Bonjour Client Library and is required by the AirPort Utility. If this file is missing would be the main reason you are unable to get the utility to recognize the base station without having to enter its IP address. However, even if is present, it may not be properly registered in the Windows Registry. That is, as far as Windows is concerned, it doesn't exist.)
    • Download the AirPort Utility for Windows installer.
    • Run the installer using "Run as administrator" privileges. (Note: If you get the option to Repair or Uninstall, choose the Uninstall option. Allow the uninstall process to complete. The Bonjour application should now be missing in the Apps & features listing.)
    • If you didn't get the Repair/Uninstall dialog window, then let the installer install AirPort for Windows in its default folder.
  • by rodrigotrindade,

    rodrigotrindade rodrigotrindade Jun 23, 2016 4:11 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 23, 2016 4:11 PM in response to Tesserax

    Deleted everything, reinstalled and, I don't know why, the Time Capsule isn't working as a router anymore. My PC detects its reception, but can't connect to it. (Thanks a lot for helping me out!)

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jun 24, 2016 9:17 AM in response to rodrigotrindade
    Level 9 (53,940 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 24, 2016 9:17 AM in response to rodrigotrindade

    Since you stated that you can connect a Mac to the TC we know that, at a minimum, that it is working. What is unusual, as you already know, is why none of your Windows-based PCs can connect to it.

     

    Let's use any of your PCs as a "test" device. We will want to start by temporarily disabling IPv6 and see if that PC can now access the TC without having to enter an IP address.

     

    To disable IPv6, just do the following:

    • Start > Network > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter setting
    • Right-click on the appropriate connection, and then, select Properties
    • On the Network tab, uncheck the "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" option.

     

    If this does not solve the problem, you can re-enable it by using the same steps expect you will want to check on that option instead.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jun 24, 2016 11:06 AM in response to rodrigotrindade
    Level 9 (53,940 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 24, 2016 11:06 AM in response to rodrigotrindade

    Something else that comes to mind ...

     

    Windows can sometimes be a bit finicky with naming conventions. I suggest the following with your TC:

    • Do not include spaces or special characters in either the TC's base station name or wireless network name.

     

    As an example, if you were using: "My TimeCapsule%" for the base station name and "Th3s is m& Secr3t $assword," change them to something like: MyTC and Th3sismySecr3tPassword, respectively.

  • by rodrigotrindade,

    rodrigotrindade rodrigotrindade Jun 24, 2016 1:49 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 24, 2016 1:49 PM in response to Tesserax

    Alright, I tried the first process, but it didn't work because my PC and every other device in our network stopped connecting to the TC as a router. It still presents itself with the green light, but neither my PC, nor our phones or tablets connect to the TC's network. I tried doing a hard reset and a soft reset, but the light doesn't start to blink in orange. I'm afraid I'll lose everything I have on the drive if I reset it to the factory settings, so I haven't tried that yet.

     

    Bear in mind that the network in question, Trindade, still shows up, but doesn't connect.

     

    print.png

  • by Tesserax,Solvedanswer

    Tesserax Tesserax Jun 24, 2016 1:55 PM in response to rodrigotrindade
    Level 9 (53,940 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 24, 2016 1:55 PM in response to rodrigotrindade

    I tried doing a hard reset, but the light doesn't start to blink in orange - weather I do the soft or hard reset.

    If you haven't yet, try doing a "factory default" reset instead of either a soft or hard one. This reset will NOT affect any data stored on the TC's internal hard drive and will bring the TC back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration. Which is a wireless Internet router that will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a network name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN. With this type of reset, the TC's LED status light should now be flashing amber/orange.

     

    That would be normal as it would be telling you that additional configuration steps are still required, like wireless security. You should now be able to access the TC using the AirPort Utility for Windows.

  • by rodrigotrindade,

    rodrigotrindade rodrigotrindade Jun 24, 2016 2:44 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 24, 2016 2:44 PM in response to Tesserax

    Thanks a lot! This made it work. Sorry for all the trouble and thank you very much for taking the time and helping me out!