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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

skurvy

Level 1

0 points

Sep 9, 2009 4:51 PM in response to elroySF

Add me to the list! 17 months and the **** thing is dead. I cant believe Apple is not supporting this product.

< Edited by Host >

Sep 10, 2009 1:57 AM in response to elroySF

Wow, this almost seems like a joke! Heaps of reports of TC dying around the 8th, 9th and now mine the 10th! I guess Apple integrated a killswitch in these!

Since my last backup failed badly, I have not been using the HDD of the TC at all (where most of the units heat comes from). Combining it with that the climate has been cool here for the last month, makes it seems unlikely that this is just a cooling issue.

Being joined by so many TC friends here, I recon apple will open for a replacement service in a couple of weeks, so don't open her up just yet!

Sep 10, 2009 7:31 PM in response to elroySF

WOOHOO!!! Just wanted to let everyone know that I have successfully modded my Time Capsule with an external CISCO power supply and it's WORKING!!! VERY EASY TO DO... Total cost: $15

I have to thank LaPastenague for doing the first mod which triggered the idea to use the Cisco Power Supply. Now the Power Supply is external!!! When my new Capacitors come in, I plan to fix the original power supply as a backup!!!

Need Directions? See LaPastenague detailed step-by-step instructions... I will post mine soon...

mretzak

Level 1

0 points

Sep 11, 2009 6:45 AM in response to elroySF

Add me to the list. Purchased March 2008, died yesterday. Sent a tip to TUAW describing the problem with a link to this thread... I suggest everyone else do the same: http://www.tuaw.com/tips

If we can get some public exposure of this problem, it will put some pressure on Apple to fess up to their engineering/manufacturing defects and hopefully offer a resolution to this issue.

eflyer

Level 1

23 points

Sep 11, 2009 7:35 AM in response to LaPastenague

<QUOTE>Don't trust it... electronic components don't self repair. </QUOTE>

You're right. Mine is dead again. Going to look into the power supply mod.

Sep 11, 2009 1:16 PM in response to mretzak

Mine died today Sep 11. It just suddenly shut off and won't come back on.

Sep 11, 2009 1:24 PM in response to Steve Obenski

So friends,

I'm really, really happy that I can integrate myself also into the dead PSU Time Capsule Family.
After 16 months of flaweless work my time capsule also decided to stop working from one second to the other.
And what shall I say: No more warranty

Dear Apple Time Capsule Head of I don't know Department, these are a lot of Time Capsules at EOL, a bit too fast, isn't it?

Best

Rolf

Sep 11, 2009 2:03 PM in response to elroySF

My TC has broken in exactly the same way.

I am going to make a legal claim under the UK Sale of Goods Act as the product has an inherent design fault.

jhens76

Level 1

0 points

Sep 11, 2009 2:15 PM in response to elroySF

same problem - 500 GB TC - March 2008 - Dead.
Worked great until this morning.

Makes no sense to sell a "backup" product that only lasts 18 months and then you lose your backups.
gonna make an appointment at genius bar and point this thread out to the manager.

What a waste of money!

iPhelim

Level 1

9 points

Sep 11, 2009 3:19 PM in response to elroySF

Don't know if this has already been mentioned but anyone who bought an affected Time Capsule within the EU is automatically covered for design/workmanship faults for two years, by law.

However, this extra guarantee coverage isn't with the manufacturer itself, but the retailer, so if you bought your device from a reseller you need to follow this up with them directly.

If you did buy it from Apple however they should be the ones to deal with this.

Sep 11, 2009 5:04 PM in response to elroySF

Sure enough I have this problem, too. Mine died 2 days ago. I reported it to apple-feedback. I'd like to think they would do right by all of us loyal users, but I'm not holding my breath.

I won't make the same mistake twice. I'm looking for a NAS with a reasonable warranty, hot-swappable drives, and a box that can be serviced and not just thrown away.

wjhicks

Level 1

4 points

Sep 11, 2009 8:16 PM in response to elroySF

Hate to add another me too but at least misery loves company.
Purchased around April or May 08. Died about two weeks ago. 500gb.
Hopefully Apple will do some about this since this is not normal wear and tear
failures.

DomGiles

Level 1

8 points

Sep 12, 2009 2:33 AM in response to elroySF

Another thread (slightly longer is also reporting the same issues)

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2091667

Sep 12, 2009 7:29 AM in response to elroySF

In case you didn't see this, TUAW is confirming that AppleCare will cover attached peripherals (including Time Capsule) even if they were not purchased at the same time as the AppleCare product. I really hope this is true. See
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/11/which-peripherals-are-covered-under-applecare/

cestbibi

Level 1

0 points

Sep 12, 2009 7:46 AM in response to elroySF

Mine just died last week with only 15 month old.

Luckily as mentioned earlier on comments I was able to get it replaced by the seller (official Apple reseller) thanks to the E.U 2 years guaranty law.
Loosing all my data was a drag.. but I deserve it for not doing back-up (actually par of the disk was used for backups)

But as I understand it will be a matter of time before it dies again.
I can't believe Apple is not testing thoroughly on his hardware, TC are not precisely cheap like any Apple hardware, so we would at least expect to be bulletproof and last a long time !!!

Time Capsule Powered Off, Won't Power Back On