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elroySF Author

Level 1

6 points

Time Capsule Powered Off, Won't Power Back On

My Time Capsule was running just fine, then spontaneously just powered off by itself. All the other devices in the power strip were fine and I tried switching outlets, plugging it directly into the wall, and unplugging the TC and plugging the power cord back in. The network port lights in the back are out and the light on the front is dark. However, when I first plugged the cable back into the TC, the network lights came on for a split second. I'm guessing that there's a power connection fried (because if it were a power supply failure the lights would not have blinked on at all).

Any suggestions? Thanks!

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 27, 2009 8:58 AM

1,343 replies

Dallefar

Level 1

4 points

Sep 21, 2009 3:41 AM in response to elroySF

Mine did the same. Sudden power death without any warnings.
Seems to me like the power supply just died after 10 month of perfect operation.
Its now being looked at by apple to see if they will fix it or give me a new one.
I will let you know what they say.

Landbo

Level 1

0 points

Sep 21, 2009 4:29 AM in response to elroySF

Exact same problem for me. My TC1GB 1. gen. "died" last week.

Sep 21, 2009 6:19 AM in response to elroySF

Add me to the list too!!!! Mine died over the weekend. Upgraded to Snow Lep and went to bed while it did the backup. Came down in the morning and no lights. Interestingly when i plug the power in the small lights on the ethernet ports flash briefly. Not sure what that means but i am not happy at all.
My TC is a 1TB purchased in may 2008 in the UK.

Come on Apple at least give us a post stating your position or support the products you make properly with spares and serivice.

Sep 21, 2009 7:30 AM in response to elroySF

One more TC gone...This was a 500 GB model from march. Apple should address this problem.

Br

Sep 21, 2009 7:36 AM in response to bla, bla, bla

Went into the Apple store today, having booked an appointment and they've agreed to replace mine. Good work.

Sep 21, 2009 8:24 AM in response to elroySF

Since upgrading to Snow leopard last week I am also having issues with my 1TB timecapsule. Whenever I start my computer and I look into time machine configuration Time machine cannot find time capsule. My time capsule is about 17 months old. If i restart my computer somtimes the 1TB hard disk shows up again in time machine configeration, but I hve to start time machine manually if I want to backup since I have installed Snow leopard. I know my situation is not as bad as the others in this thread, but Could the problem be something to do with my upgrade.
Any comments? thanks

CalMin

Level 1

0 points

Sep 21, 2009 8:27 AM in response to elroySF

There are two discussion threads on this topic. Mine just died too. 😟

This *****. It is clearly a manufacturing defect.

Sep 21, 2009 9:16 AM in response to CalMin

Mine died too. 1TB model, purchased first batch last March. *****! Worked well up until that point. Unfortunately I stored some data on there that was backed up anywhere else and Apple is giving the runaround on the data recovery part.

Policy schmolicy - there is CLEARLY a manufacturing problem. A properly cared for backup harddrive should last more than 18 months. Especially one that costs $500!!! My cheap iomega backup drive still works after 4 years.

APPLE SHOULD MAKE THIS RIGHT WITH THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS!

kjk

Level 4

1,317 points

Sep 21, 2009 9:31 AM in response to elroySF

Just a reminder to those "yelling" at Apple here to vent your frustrations: these are user-to-user discussion boards. Don't expect your pleas to Apple here to be responded to.

Not saying its not useful to post/share your experiences (long threads like this do get noticed by blogs and such, which is great) just that the "HEY APPLE" stuff isn't productive.

If you want to let Apple know directly, either go to a Genius Bar to complain, or go here: http://www.apple.com/feedback/timecapsule.html and leave feedback.
Also, notifying any tech blogs/sites you frequent isn't a bad idea either.

modler

Level 1

0 points

Sep 21, 2009 12:47 PM in response to elroySF

I have had the exact same issue !

Kurt Modler
www.modleronline.com

Sep 21, 2009 1:47 PM in response to elroySF

I don't have a TimeCapsule but I gat a call from somebody today describing the exact experience as described in the first post of this thread on page one. I have been digging around the net and found this thread. I will have to give them the bad news tomorrow.

By the way I send Apple feedback about this and informed them that I archive the page so there is a record of this discussion.

Rudy(CA)

Level 1

10 points

Sep 21, 2009 4:50 PM in response to Brian7777

Add my Time Capsule to the list as well. Has been working flawlessly for around 18 months and yesterday morning the LED was out. Dead as a door nail. Have an appointment at the local Apple store tomorrow afternoon.

Sep 21, 2009 8:29 PM in response to elroySF

This just happened to my March 2008 Time Capsule (500 GB) as well. I had just completed a fresh backup of my new MacBook Pro, and soon thereafter it just turned off. The unit felt pretty hot, so it definitely seems like an overheating issue.

I can't believe how common this problem is, and at such a precise timeframe. It's almost like the early 2008 Time Capsules were built with a ticking time bomb inside.

Sep 22, 2009 2:27 AM in response to elroySF

I have had the same problem when upgrading to Snow Leopard on my iMac. The TC just stopped. By taking the power cord out, wait a few moments and set it back in and start the TC up and configure it like the very first time, I made it run again.
Since then I have had no problems - My TC is about the same age as the ones mention her in this forum - 16-18 month.
It might have some thing to do with the upgrade to Snow Leopard on the Mac form witch you first configured the Time Capsule. Just a guess

hunte88

Level 1

0 points

Sep 22, 2009 4:19 AM in response to eberholst

HI, i'm user italian, and i have the same (own) problem with my TC of 1Tb, my time capsule have 16 months, and i think that the problem is a power unit break.

I not have apple care and i think the problem is a defect of made.

Time Capsule Powered Off, Won't Power Back On