having trouble setting up Time capsule...

Question

Level 1

15 points

having trouble setting up Time capsule...

I just bought a new iMac last night. I also picked up Time Capsule and Apple TV. I'm having a problem setting up Time Capsule correctly. I'll go through what I did step by step and hopefully someone can help me as I've never tried to set up a wireless network before.

I'm connected to the internet via Comcast. I have the outside cable coming into the modem and the ethernet cable from the modem i have plugged into TC's WAN port (the one with the gear logo).

I start by opening Airport Utility ( I upgraded to the most recent version using the install disc that came with TC) and it recognizes TC in the left side of the window. It says it found TC with default settings and gives a name for it and an Airport ID. I click continue.

The next window prompts me to name the TC and assign a password. I do so and click continue.

The next window gives me some options about setting up a new or existing wireless network. It says it found some existing networks which I assume are my neighbors. I select "I don't have a wireless network and want to create one". I click continue.

The next window prompts me to give a name and security level to the new network. I provide a name and select WPA/WPA2 Personal and enter and verify a password. I click continue.

The next window asks whether I'd like TC to be in Bridge mode or Share a single IP address using DHCP and NAT.

If I click Share a single IP, a popup tells me "This will cause my TC to continue to blink amber and do I want to ignore this and continue?". So I figure this can't be a good thing and I click on Bridge mode not really knowing what it means.

The next window asks me to enter the TCP/IP info from my ISP. It also says to choose "Using DHCP" if I receive an IP address automatically. So in the box where it says "Configure IPv4", I select "Using DHCP" and there is an IP address and Subnet mask with numbers after each. Below that is Router Address, with fields for DNS Server, Domain Name and DHCP Client ID. These fields are blank. I click continue.

The next window says TC will use these settings:

TC name - Jim's Time Capsule
Wireless Mode - Create a wireless network
Network Name - Jim's Network
Wireless Security - WPA/WPA2 Personal
Connect Using - Ethernet
Configure IPv4 - Using DHCP
IP Address - (Provided Automatically)

If settings are correct, click Update to finish setting up your TC or click Go Back to change settings. I click Update and a box tells me that the device and its network service will be temporarily unavailable and do I want to continue? I click continue.

The next window tells me that the settings for TC have been updated successfully and its being configured. I then get a window reporting a problem.It says-

"Problem 1 of 1: Internet Connection

Your Apple wireless device does not have a valid IP address. Make sure your Apple wireless device is connected to your broadband modem or local network, verify your settings and try again. If you still can't connect, call your ISP."

There are two boxes with options. The first is "Connect Using" and "ethernet" is selected with "PPoE" being the other option. The second box says "Configure IPv4" and "Using DHCP" is selected, and "Manually" is the other option.

Obviously, I'm doing something wrong, but I don't have a clue. I'm getting online fine when I plug the ethernet cable into the back of the iMac. I've reset the modem by hitting the reset button. The light turns green on the TC but I can't connect to the internet. Any ideas? Feel free to call me a big dummy 🙂

Jim

iMac 2.4 Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Mar 16, 2008 8:50 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

th3_r3n3g4d3

Level 2

440 points

Mar 16, 2008 8:56 AM in response to Jim Somogyi

You should use the "ethernet" option to connect, and then use the "using DHCP" for IPv4 configuration.

For connection sharing use "share a public IP address"

Using that it should automatically configure the TC to your ISPs settings.

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Answer 2

Mar 16, 2008 9:00 AM in response to Jim Somogyi

From what I understand, BRIDGE mode works IF you have a router between your cable modem and the TC. At least it works for me that way using the Airport N. I really think you want to try it set to SHARE AN IP, regardless of the blinking light.

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Answer 3

Jim Somogyi Author

Level 1

15 points

Mar 16, 2008 9:24 AM in response to th3_r3n3g4d3

Thanks for the quick response. I clicked on Share an IP. I then get 4 options

1. I use a DSL or cable modem with a static IP address or DHCP
2. I use a DSL or cable modem using PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE)
3. I connect to my local area network (LAN)
4. I am not ready to connect to the internet right now

If I click on 1, the next window says "Configure IPv4 "Using DHCP". It shows an IP Address and a Subnet Mask number, but below that it has info for Router address and 3 fields-DNS Server, Domain name, and DHCP Client ID. Is this correct? These fields are blank. When I click on continue it says that TC is successfully updated. But then I get the same error message as before telling me my Wireless device doesn't have a valid IP address.

Should I reset TC and click on 2 when I get past the Sharing an IP window?

Thanks, ?Jim

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Answer 4

Mar 16, 2008 9:34 AM in response to Jim Somogyi

Are you connected via ethernet from the TC to the PC you are configuring from?

For now dont worry about wireless, lets get you connected to the internet and working with the TC first.

Which option you choose will be determined by your ISP configuration.

After you update when using the above does any of the DNS information show up? Can you surf the internet with the ethernet connected computer?

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Answer 5

Jim Somogyi Author

Level 1

15 points

Mar 16, 2008 10:00 AM in response to th3_r3n3g4d3

No, my iMac isn't connected to the TC at all. The only connection is the cable modem to the WAN port on the back of TC. If I have to, I'll go and buy another ethernet cable. Does that get connected from the Mac's ethernet port to the WAN port on TC? How does the cable modem fit in the mix then? I just wanted to create a simple wireless network so I could connect with Apple TV in another room. Thought it was gonna be a bit easier than this... Live and learn

Thanks,
Jim

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Answer 6

Mar 16, 2008 10:21 AM in response to Eric Seaberg

I'm having the same trouble. Comcast was completely rude when I called and I gave up on the Apple Care line after 30 min. on hold. Some other threads suggest resetting the cable modem...but it looks like you've already done that.

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Answer 7

Jim Somogyi Author

Level 1

15 points

Mar 16, 2008 10:44 AM in response to saritac_c

Did Comcast give you any answer at all? That was gonna be my next step... Might give Apple a call. Do they have Sunday hours and could you understand them? Not to sound like a jerk, but the few times I've called them, the accents made conversation a bit tough.

Jim

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Answer 8

Mar 16, 2008 1:08 PM in response to Jim Somogyi

Comcast told me that they do not give any assistance/advice with 3rd party wireless routers...they want you to rent one from them. That being said, you might get a more sympathetic tech support person, so give it a try.
S

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Answer 9

Jim Somogyi Author

Level 1

15 points

Mar 16, 2008 1:20 PM in response to saritac_c

I did get a more sympathetic tech guy. Problem solved. What he told me to do was pretty simple, actually. He told me to unplug the modem which I'd done previously. But what I hadn't done was also unplug Time Capsule at the same time. Left both unplugged for about 2 minutes and then connected the power cord and ethernet to the modem. When all the lights came on (4 green ones on my particular modem) he told me to plug the other end into Time Capsule. Thirty seconds later Time Capsule had a green light and it congratulated me for connecting the network. Hit Safari and I was online. Give it a try.

Jim

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Answer 10

Amazin1

Level 1

0 points

Mar 16, 2008 4:03 PM in response to Jim Somogyi

Well I have been screwing around trying to get my TC working for two days. It is going back tomorrow to the Apple Store. I have tried all the things mentioned in these posts and more. I have never had so much difficulty setting up anything from Apple - this is like a MS PC nightmare. I had an Airport Extreme that worked fine (unfortunately got rid of it) so I know it isn't a Comcast issue although Comcast support was so rude it is unbelievable that those people are still in business. But don't get me started on Comcast and the telephone tree of agony! Even an HP printer (Photosmart C4280) that Apple sold to me a few months back in one of their promotional deals, that worked absolutely fine with the AE, no longer works with the TC.

There seems to be a pattern with Apple lately . Announce things months ahead, put themselves under the gun to get them out by the time that was announced, come close to missing dates and then put out something that is short of the best that is possible. Disturbing!

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Answer 11

Amazin1

Level 1

0 points

Mar 19, 2008 4:30 PM in response to Amazin1

Well I returned the TC and got an AE. In five minutes, yes five minutes, after wasting over 6 hours on the TC, I had the AE working perfectly -- printer and all!

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Answer 12

DotDock

Level 1

0 points

Mar 19, 2008 11:00 PM in response to Amazin1

Thank you, Jim Somoygi. I had a similar multi-hour odyssey with a AE and a Comcast cable modem.

This solved the seemingly endless blinking amber light:
1. unplug power from the modem and AE (or time capsule). Go get a beverage of your choice (wait a couple of minutes).
2. My modem has a battery backup (Comcast phone service). So, I pressed a tiny reset button on the back of the Comcast modem (it's made by Arris). With the battery backup, I'm not sure I would have been able to reset the modem simply by unplugging.
3. Make sure there is an ethernet cable connecting the cable modem and the AE or TC
4. Plug the modem back in, wait for the lights to come on. I also had to press a "standby" button on the front of the modem to get all the lights to come on.
5. Plug in the AE (or TC)
6. Green light on the AE (it's not easy being green)
7. Choose the appropriate Airport network & surf away.

I will say that the problem seems to be with the modem, rather than the AE. Once I reset the modem, I could configure the AE with ease. Once the AE is configured, it is absolutely rock stable. Before I fiddled with the network & brought this on myself, I enjoyed shockingly stable networking with the AE -- much better than with previous attempts with Netgear or Buffalo products (although I do like the ease with which Buffalo products can be configured together, using their proprietary handshaking protocol "AOSS").

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Answer 13

djhzz

Level 1

4 points

Mar 24, 2008 5:13 PM in response to Jim Somogyi

My HUGH thanks to Jim Somogyi for very carefully laying out the exact problem I was facing. My thanks also to DotDock for providing the answer that worked for me first time I tried it. Thanks to everyone in the stream of replies for helping me out. This problem was driving me crazy.

My internet is flying now (about twice as fast as my old Lynks router). Next project is my first backup. After that I may get the nerve to try adding my Airport Extreme to the mix to boost the signal even further and to give me the two frequency capabilities. For now...I am thrilled. Sincere thanks to all.

DJHZZ

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Answer 14

enigma76

Level 1

9 points

Mar 29, 2008 7:34 AM in response to DotDock

My Friend, Thank you SO MUCH!!!, I kept on trying to set my new AE for 4 days without success, plus getting SO mad and frustrated!
Following your BASIC steps, it was just SO easy to set it up. First set up the internet connection, forgetting about the wireless, and then..... BOOM!, Internet working (FINALLY!), no blinking annoying amber light anymore..... just GREEN!!!!... Sweet green light!!! Couple minutes later, i open the airport utility again, and enabled the wireless mode and done.

Thank you SO MUCH, man.

Cheers!

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Answer 15

Apr 11, 2008 7:32 PM in response to Jim Somogyi

This was amazingly helpful - thank you to everyone. Turning off the router and the TC and then starting things up again made the whole thing run as smoothly as I thought it should, and saved me the night mare of dealing with Comcast.

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