Time Capsule Powered Off, Won't Power Back On

My 500GB Time Capsule (model A1254, serial 6F81102TYZV) died on me today. I was really confused as to why, especially since it wasn't even that hot (it's sometimes been hot enough to cook an egg it seems). I tried multiple outlets, no go.

I eventually put the TC in the fridge to cool it down (and I've heard that helps with hard drives too..) for about 10 minutes. I plugged it back in and it turned on for about 30-60 seconds and then died again. I put it back in the fridge for longer (maybe 20-30 minutes), which seems to have worked.

Right now I can hear a faint squealing coming from the TC. I have it propped up to give it more ventilation and a desk fan blowing on it. I cannot access the disc in any way (Finder, Time Machine, Airport Utility), but I can use it as a wireless router.

I called AppleCare, but they said since I didn't purchase the Protection Plan, I couldn't use my new MBP's coverage to replace it. So it looks as though I have 4 options

1. Fix the power supply myself
2. Buy AppleCare (but I don't have $200)
3. Buy a new TC ($249 for a 1TB 2Gen TC, but again, no $$)
4. Brick it and hope that Apple acknowledges it's a defective unit.

I have had the exact same issue. Was working fine last night and came home tonight and it is completely dead. Did you get any help?

I also have same issue. Any luck with a resolution?

Time Capsule 1TB-GBR

Oh my... Looks like I'm not the only one with this issues. 18 months of operation and bragging to others about how great this has been and today it quits! I've already pulled the HDD out and put it in an external enclosure, but I need the convenience of having the TC available to all my laptops. Updated to Snow Leopard today... thought all was going well until no more green light!!!

Guess I'm off to get another one tomorrow...

Mine died last night. I forced a backup, upgraded to Snow Leopard, and was about just checking everything still worked when Time Machine complained about no disc. Checked the box, and no light. Checked the externals -- all ok, so I guess the PSU is dead or something. 500GB Gen1.

sasaldivar wrote:
Oh my... Looks like I'm not the only one with this issues. 18 months of operation and bragging to others about how great this has been and today it quits! I've already pulled the HDD out and put it in an external enclosure, but I need the convenience of having the TC available to all my laptops. Updated to Snow Leopard today... thought all was going well until no more green light!!!

Guess I'm off to get another one tomorrow...

I have a question, what type of screwdrive or torx did you use to get the FOUR screws off the actual harddrive itself?

Im having to salvage mine aswell and i cant figure out what type of screwdrive to use to remove those 4 screws they wont budge!!

thank you!

My TC did the exact same thing two days ago. It is 18 months old. After doing some research, I have found others with the same problem. At 17-18 months, the power supply goes out. I went to the Apple store today and they said too bad, out of warranty. They don't fix this, and won't stand behind the product. The manager told me that they only replace products for "known problems". So, my recommendation is for all TC users to make this problem known! There are way too many people having this problem for it to be a coincidence. After I did this research tonight, I'm going back to the manager with my printouts to demonstrate that this is indeed a "known problem", and I either want my money back or a new TC. It's very disappointing to see Apple refuse to stand behind their products. A $300 product should last more than 18 months!

Wow, that is weird. Mine completely died as well, 17 months after purchase.

This is crazy. I'm having the exact same problem. I returned home from work today, sat on the couch, and opened my Macbook only to see that my network was nowhere to be found. I went into my office and the iMac was sans internet, too. I looked down at the Time Capsule and it was dead. Not just a little dead... VERY DEAD. I upgraded all of my computers to Snow Leopard yesterday. Is it possible that this had something to do with it? I'm really confused. I'm going to call tech support in the morning and hopefully they can fix/replace the unit regardless of warranty status. Just out of practicality, any device marketed as a backup medium should last for more than a year or so. As a customer who buys every new product that this company comes out with, I hope they do right by me.

Mine died before I upgraded my systems to Snow Leopard.

can anyone help how did you get the screws off the actual hard drive? i got the time capsule opened but none of the how-to guides say what screw drive is specifically needed to remove the four harddrive screws theyre not budging at all.

i need to get my data off here.

thanks!

Max... not sure why your's is different, but my screws are philips type. I used the same screwdriver used to take the bottomplate off... I was expecting a TORX like in the MBP... anyway, the screws are a little funny looking, but came off easily. Also, with the enclosure I have it in, the screws could have stayed on without interference...

UPDATE: So I purchased a NEW 1TB TC last night... $300 again and they DON'T OFFER APPLE CARE on this product!!! So, this morning I'm still mad and haven't opened the box, but starring at the pieces of the 1st Gen TC on my desk... I plug it in and IT POWERS UP!!! I can hear the CAPS charging and the LED goes from GREEN to YELLOW! I'm thinking cuz the HDD is out. I unplug it, put the HDD back in and NOTHING!!! guess I need to wait for the caps to completely discharge this time... I'm sure I'm going to be opening the NEW one sometime today...

That is so strange. I came here looking to see if there was a fix and I found a bunch of people with the same problem. Mine is about 17 months old. Plug it in and nothing happens. I will probably call Apple tomorrow and see if they have any answers. I will point them to this thread.

John