Time Capsule Powered Off, Won't Power Back On

chuckky, just called Apple representatives in Spain, and after explaining them that my first generation Time Capsule (which it serial range was out in the first replacemet programme) was powered off after installing airwave firmware upgrade, they told me that there is nothing that apple might do to assist me.

I tried to explain her that TimeCapsule is intended as a backup device, and taking in consideration what is happening, Apple and TC are not reliable at all in this field. Furthermore, in three weeks time they are launching new Time Capsules. Just wondering if they are forcing to die the last bunch of surviving Time Capsules before the release of new models.

oh mine did fail a long time ago... and it was exchanged (at a discount price) for a refirbished generation one 1 TB timecapsule (because it was not in warranty anymore)... and so far it has been working... but when that goes... I am going to get the 2 TB time capsule.

Carlo, if you have more than one computer being backed up, get the biggest TC you can afford. In our house we have 3 computers using the same TC.

Also, we do not use the TC as a regular storage drive. We use it as a backup place only. This is best.

Overheating is the cause of power supply failure, so do not put books, papers or anything on top of the TC. Do not put it on top of anything that makes heat, such as another hard drive or Mac-Mini. Make sure it is has room to radiate heat.

Another one bites the dust, 500GB. Couldn't be more than 2 years old because it claims to work with Loepard. Network lights on the rear for one second, solid yellow up front for 20 seconds then no lights, nothing..

So an update, my replacement 500GB 1st gen Time Capsule just died on Wed Mar 21, 2012 around 9am without any warning. I wasn't having networking issues or anything, though I had stopped using it as my Time Machine backup since moving to a DroboPro a year ago.

Took it into the Genius Bar just to make sure it wasn't the power cord and nothing.

I opted to replace it with a AEBS 5th gen so I get dual band, guest network, etc.

I got a little over 2 years out of the replacement, so better than the original life span, but still not great.

I guess I am also one of the lucky ones, my TC just died. No warning, was doing some work online and all the sudden I lost connection, looked over and no lights on the TC, thought a reboot would be in order. Unplugged and plugged back in, yellow light came on, figured all was well and it would take a second to turn green. Grab laptop and sit down again, look back over, no lights again 😟

By the sounds of it, this is a common problem. Luckily I had a new Airport extreme still in the box sitting here, still ***** that my TC died. Not a very reliable product, won't be replacing.

.5 TB Time Capsule just died, SN 6F914S1R2UJ. I am seriously disappointed. With research this appears to be a manufacturers defect. When I put my TC in place it has not moved, temperature and humidity completely controlled. I just can't believe it. Apple needs to man up here.

According to Google Search Engines, dust makes the top ten list each time.

Here are the first three links doing a Google search:

http://www.computerdust.com/downloads/special_report_on_the_effect_of_dust_on_el ectronics.pdf

http://www.articlesbase.com/hardware-articles/10-most-common-reasons-for-compute r-failure-in-business-and-industry-450773.html

http://www.dieselserviceandsupply.com/causes_of_power_failures.aspx

But I do also understand what you are saying.

Carlo,

I completely disagree with you assessment. There are a few reason why I buy Apple products.

1. I choose to pay more for Apple products because they work. I expect a higher performing product from Apple Than I do from other computer manufacturers.

2. The design of Apple products is superb in comparison to other manufacturers.

3. Apple products work seemlessly with other Apple products. The true meaning of plug and play.

4. Apple products are at the cutting edge of innovation, both from a design standpoint and a technological standpoint. Specifically as it relates to human interphase.

Carlo, I choose to pay a premium for Apple products because it has consistently delivered on all the above points. This is what branding is all about, creating a perception in the marketplace that sets an expectation for its consumers.

I will say that Apple has done a great job of managing their brand, however in this instance they have dropped the ball. I think it important for a consumer products company to understand when they have let their consumers down. To simply buy another without expressing your opinion violates the unwritten pact between consumer and vendor. We are providing a service to Apple by sharing our frustration. It is through this dialogue that companies are able to respond to the needs of their consumers.

I hope this provides insight into my thoughts on the topic, and my objectives in communicating through this forum.

My 1 TB Time Capsule is approximately 17 months old. Out of warrenty. Won't power on. I thought it may have had something to do with it falling from the shelf to the carpet. Took it to the Apple store, they plugged it in and it worked. I was so excited and confused why it would work for them. They gave me their cord, when I got back home and plugged it in -- NOTHING. UGH. I agree 17 months is poor quailty for this high of a priced item. After reading all of the SAME complaints, I will buy the AppleCare extended warrenty with the next Time Capsule. Sad to think Apple makes a rip off product. IF it is only suppose to last 17 months it should be stated on the box.

Goodaye Chris.. nice to see you here again.. !!

We have diverged paths to repair but the fundamental issue is still the same.. although I must say that from Apple's point of view they fixed it.. the Gen 4 run substantially cooler.. through better power consumption patterns.. I have studied it a fair bit lately.. Although the later TC have higher wattage power supplies.. they actually draw less current. The standby power is around 12W and even full bore running seldom exceeds 18W.. peak demand is still high during disk spin up etc. But the aim is for the TC to last 3years.. (+2days) so it is out of applecare.. thus completing the mission parameters.. make it a consumable.. make it cheap.. sell it at a great profit margin.. ensure people have to buy a new one.

Our Wallace and Gromit Anti-Pesto solution.. to make it last.. breaks a fundamental design parameter Apple have built in.. obsolescence.

( Chris can be Wallace.. I'll be Gromit!!)

I got my 1TB TC in Oct 2009, lasted almost 3 years with no problem but it has finally given up and died today. RIP

Got a bit annoyed when the genius guy said it would cost £200 to get it fixed, it cost £250 for a new one with double the memory!!

Luckily I moved everything over to a external hard drive a few months ago.

Not sure if I will get a new one now, might just get a airport extreme or wait till they release a newer version. Can I connect a external HD to a airport extreme? Is it worth trying to replace the internal power parts to try and fix it?

LaPastenague

...and the saga continues. Tonight my Gen 2 TC xx924 series signalled me that the oven has been turned off, and my turkey is cooked....right on time too.. 18 mos 12 days.

i went to the Apple store in Mississauga Ontario, and bought and AP xtreme.

This w/e I will source an external PS and and return the 'temp' unit when i've resurrected the old.

your vid is probably one of the very best described vid's on any kind of repair.

Well done and Thanks a Heap for your contributions

John

Oakville, Canada

OK, just out of curiosity, why do many care if your Time Capsule dies with your backup data on the internal drive, aside from security issues?

Perhaps it's just me, but unless your machine crashes while you have a dead TC, you purchase a new TC and you're protected again after the first backup.

Are people trying to use the TC has a hierarchical storage system of some type (not wise as files not on the hard drive can and do "just disappear" if Time Machine needs the space) or is there some other reason?

The main reason was because for many people it cost $500 (Gen1 when they first came out) and people expected better from something that cost half the price of a computer.

Also lots of people have copied files to their TC especially nowadays when SSD laptops particularly the Air comes with very small drives.. so even Apple recommend for people to use the TC as a way of extending their storage.. hence TC dies and you lose 250GB of iTunes files.. does make people cry alot. Yes, they are supposed to back up.. what to.. a TC?? Apple designed it so it cannot back itself up.