Time Capsule: Not able to create folders

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Time Capsule: Not able to create folders

I just got a TC this weekend and set it up pretty easily. However, I am unsure if I set it up correctly because I am not able to create folders or transfer files to it in order to share over the network.

Basically, what I want to do is this:
1. Use it as my Wifi router
2. Use it for TM backups
3. Store additional, non TM, files on it that I can share and access (mp3's,etc.) from the macs on the network

Was I mistaken in what I could with the TC. The AppleStore guy said that it would, and all product descriptions make it sound so.

Here is my situation:
I am using it as my Wifi router (connected to my Cable modem) and it is working great. I can make Time Machine backups to it works just fine too. What I would like to do now is create some folders on the TC and share them over the network. When I click on the TC in Finder, under Shared, it shows one folder called "Data". Within that folder is a Sparse Bundle file which I assume is my TM backup. I am able to create additional folders within the Data folder, but it seems odd that this is the only place I can create and transfer files. Additionally, I thought that TM backups will actually be backups of the files, within folders with the backup date.

Maybe I messed up my initial setup? Before I restore the settings, erase the TC, and start over I figured I would ask for help.

I am running Snow Leopard if that has anything to do with it.

Any help would be very appreciated.

MBP, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Aug 31, 2009 7:08 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 1, 2009 8:00 AM in response to slopedope

slopedope wrote:
I just got a TC this weekend and set it up pretty easily. However, I am unsure if I set it up correctly because I am not able to create folders or transfer files to it in order to share over the network.

Basically, what I want to do is this:
1. Use it as my Wifi router
2. Use it for TM backups
3. Store additional, non TM, files on it that I can share and access (mp3's,etc.) from the macs on the network

Was I mistaken in what I could with the TC. The AppleStore guy said that it would, and all product descriptions make it sound so.

Here is my situation:
I am using it as my Wifi router (connected to my Cable modem) and it is working great. I can make Time Machine backups to it works just fine too. What I would like to do now is create some folders on the TC and share them over the network. When I click on the TC in Finder, under Shared, it shows one folder called "Data". Within that folder is a Sparse Bundle file which I assume is my TM backup. I am able to create additional folders within the Data folder, but it seems odd that this is the only place I can create and transfer files. Additionally, I thought that TM backups will actually be backups of the files, within folders with the backup date.

The "Data" folder is the Time Capsule's disk. That's all it has, so if you insist on putting your files on the Time Capsule, that's where they'd have to go. However, eventually this means that you'd be competing for that space with Time Machine. You might be better off attaching a USB disk drive to your Time Capsule and putting your files there.

Your Time Machine files are all in the "sparsebundle" file, which is a "virtual volume". If you really want to you can mount that and see what's in it, but Time Machine really doesn't intend for you to deal with those files directly.

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Answer 2

Sep 1, 2009 9:32 AM in response to slopedope

I also wanted to have some shared storage as well as my itunes music and I did attach an external drive. The problem is time machine does not back that drive up. It sees it as a volume of the time capsule. Any suggestions on how to back up the attached drive?

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Answer 3

Sep 1, 2009 9:34 AM in response to slopedope

Welcome to the discussions, slopedope!

Here's how to create folders on the Time Capsule:

Open your hard drive and look for the TC icon under the SHARED heading.

Click on the TC icon, then double click the folder on the right side of the window. This should open another window that displays your xxxx.sparsebundle file(s). Leave this file alone as it contains all of your backups.

Click the gear shaped icon just above and select New Folder. You can rename this folder if you wish and you can create as many folders as you wish.

You can "copy and paste" the files you want into the folders. As Time Machine adds more backup data, it will leave the folders that you have created alone when it starts looking for more room for backups.

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Answer 4

jiggedy

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Sep 4, 2009 8:13 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi, I'm having almost the same issue, whereby I have been using my Time Capsule with Leopard for the last year or more... no issues, love it. I don't use it for time machine backups at the moment, just for storing movies, photos, etc. I have normal folders for each of these.

Problem is, since upgrading to Snow Leopard, I can no longer create a new folder in the root folder of the TIme Capsule. All my existing folders are there and were created with no problem. I can go into those folders and create as many folders as I like, but if I try to create a new folder in the root folder, the option is greyed out on the toolbar icon, and in the normal toolbar icon with the little cog, there is not even an option to create folder. From the File menu, the option is also greyed out to create new folders.

Does anyone know why this might be? Just a Snow Leopard bug? (another one)

Thanks

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Answer 5

kschonha

Level 1

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Sep 7, 2009 4:54 PM in response to jiggedy

I noticed today that I was experiencing the same problem. Searching the web, I came across an item indicating that the writer resolved the problem within the 'PathFinder' utility.

When I right-click on my Time Capsule entry within PathFinder and click on 'Get Info', there is a checkbox labeled 'Alias Bit'. I unchecked that box and the problem was resolved instantly.

I hope that helps.

Good luck.

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