Ranmaboy
Level 1 (8 points)
Classic Mac OS

Q: USB external HD on Time Capsule

Hello,

I have an external USB HD and connecting it to the USB port of my Airport Time Capsule makes it accessible wirelessly (If on the window sidebar under the "shared" section I click the Airport Time Capsule name to enter it, next to his "data" folder I also have a folder with the name of my USB HD and I can access it).

Now the problem. I have another external USB HD, that I can normally access plugging it in my iMac or iBook USB port, but, if plugged in to the Time Capsule...nothing happens.

So there must be a difference in the two external HD. Which difference creates the problem, why and what can I do is my question.

Someone can help me?

So far, here's what I found to be the similitudes and differences:

Both are serial ata, 2TB, GUID partition mapped external USB HD.

In Disk Utility the one who is visible on the Time Capsule is shown as "external HDD media" physical disk with physical volume OS X extended. The one who is not is shown as "external media" physical disk with logical volume OS X extended.

TX

Posted on Jun 26, 2016 4:28 AM

by sarah_s1,Solvedanswer
sarah_s1 sarah_s1
Community Specialists
A:

Hi Ranmaboy,

 

I understand that you have two external USB hard drives that you'd like to connect to your Airport Time Capsule via USB, but one of those is not being recognized by the Airport Time Capsule. Since this drive is connecting to your iMac without issue, I'd recommend that you backup any data stored on the drive, then follow the steps here to re-format the drive using Disk Utility:

 

Backup disks you can use with Time Machine - Apple Support

 

Format a disk connected to an AirPort Extreme 802.11ac or Time Capsule

If you're using an AirPort Extreme 802.11ac or Time Capsule, you can connect an external drive to the USB port on these devices to use it with Time Machine. Use these steps to reformat the drive first, so it's ready to use.

  1. Connect the drive to a USB port on your Mac.
  2. Open Disk Utility.
  3. Select your external drive (or one of its partitions) on the left side of the Disk Utility window.
  4. Click the Erase tab or Erase button in the toolbar.
  5. From the Format pop-up menu, select Mac OS Extended (Journaled). 
  6. Type a name for your disk, then click Erase.
  7. After the drive is erased, close the Disk Utility window.

 

Once the drive has been reformatted, try plugging it back into the Airport Time Capsule to see if it is now recognized.

 

Have a great rest of your day!

Posted on Jun 27, 2016 12:23 PM

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Ranmaboy

Q: USB external HD on Time Capsule

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  • Helpful answers

  • by sarah_s1,Solvedanswer

    sarah_s1 sarah_s1 Jun 27, 2016 12:23 PM in response to Ranmaboy
    Community Specialists
    Jun 27, 2016 12:23 PM in response to Ranmaboy

    Hi Ranmaboy,

     

    I understand that you have two external USB hard drives that you'd like to connect to your Airport Time Capsule via USB, but one of those is not being recognized by the Airport Time Capsule. Since this drive is connecting to your iMac without issue, I'd recommend that you backup any data stored on the drive, then follow the steps here to re-format the drive using Disk Utility:

     

    Backup disks you can use with Time Machine - Apple Support

     

    Format a disk connected to an AirPort Extreme 802.11ac or Time Capsule

    If you're using an AirPort Extreme 802.11ac or Time Capsule, you can connect an external drive to the USB port on these devices to use it with Time Machine. Use these steps to reformat the drive first, so it's ready to use.

    1. Connect the drive to a USB port on your Mac.
    2. Open Disk Utility.
    3. Select your external drive (or one of its partitions) on the left side of the Disk Utility window.
    4. Click the Erase tab or Erase button in the toolbar.
    5. From the Format pop-up menu, select Mac OS Extended (Journaled). 
    6. Type a name for your disk, then click Erase.
    7. After the drive is erased, close the Disk Utility window.

     

    Once the drive has been reformatted, try plugging it back into the Airport Time Capsule to see if it is now recognized.

     

    Have a great rest of your day!

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Jun 26, 2016 5:42 PM in response to Ranmaboy
    Level 9 (52,541 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 26, 2016 5:42 PM in response to Ranmaboy

    Are you using a powered hub on the TC?

     

    Are you plugging them directly into the TC? Did you reboot the TC when changing over USB drives?

     

    Are both USB drives the same brand? There is a nasty fact that is not often shared .. but not all USB drives are compatible.. especially with the latest model TC and AE.

     

    It does seem to depend on the USB chip used.. sometimes a powered hub can help.

     

    See the very incomplete database here of what works and what doesn't.. Please add to it when you have tried the various options.

     

    USB drive compatibility with Airport Routers. Help make database.

  • by Ranmaboy,

    Ranmaboy Ranmaboy Jun 27, 2016 12:25 PM in response to sarah_s1
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jun 27, 2016 12:25 PM in response to sarah_s1

    Tx Sarah.

    It is now recognized by Time Capsule after the format