What do I do with my Time Capsule now?

Question

What do I do with my Time Capsule now?

I have a 3TB Time Capsule that I purchased in 2016. I used it for a while as both a wireless router and an external hard drive that Time Machine backed up on to. After about 2 years, I moved to a different home that was wired for a different ISP. (Currently using Fios). I didn't set up the Time Capsule when I moved. I've just been using the hardware provided to me by Fios, and I've been backing up my computer to an off site backup company. I haven't really had a need for my Time Capsule anymore.

Here's my question...can I reintegrate my Time Capsule into my current wireless setup as just a wireless backup device (for a 2nd backup for good measure)? I googled and it looks like I can but I need to plug it into my computer first, but my MacBook Pro doesn't have any ethernet inputs. If the answer is "theres no need" or "it could end up slowing down the wireless speed in your house" then I'm happy to get rid of it. But what do I do with the device physically? Is there a place that can destroy these things safely?

Curious to everyones thoughts about my situation.

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Oct 15, 2019 5:29 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 15, 2019 8:25 PM in response to 6Wentertainment

You can install it in your network.. easy.. and well worth it if you ever need the backup to recover a disk.

There is no slow down because you do not use wireless on the TC.. keep using your current network.

Reset the TC to factory using the reset pin.. hold in for 10sec.

Plug WAN of the TC to your FIOS router or a switch in the network. Any LAN port.

Open airport utility and configure the TC with new short name, no spaces and pure alphanumerics.

Passwords same rules.. but you are going to turn wifi off.. later.

Once reconfigured it should appear on the network.. click on the icon of the TC and make sure you fix up all the issues.. generally a few come up.

Key ones are turn off wireless.

Make sure you are using Off Bridge mode not DHCP and NAT

Static IP on Internet tab.. so it does not change.. this is easy.. just move it from DHCP to Static.. all the numbers will transfer across.

Internet Options you set IPv6 to Link Local Only.

Not necessary but I recommend you go to the disk tab and erase the drive.. a quick erase is fine.. so you start a new backup.

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Answer 2

Oct 16, 2019 1:59 PM in response to 6Wentertainment

Reset again..

If you start from scratch it should be in the correct configuration.

Make sure WAN of the TC is plugged into the FIOS.

When you do the configuration make sure it is setting up the TC as bridge not router.. that is why you are getting issues with LAN vs WAN address.

Also do NOT copy my addresses.. this has to be your setup which will depend on what address the FIOS gives the TC.

If you still have issues post a screenshot for me so I can see what is failing.

You can do a fully manual setup but you need a direct connection to the TC with ethernet.. and turn off wireless.

Set Airport Utility to use ethernet.

So pull the TC out of the network and plug it directly into a computer with ethernet.

Open the AIrport Utility and the TC should be there.. if not use configure other from top menu,

Type in the IP address.. always 10.0.1.1 after a reset.. no password required.. and do all the steps which I gave you above.. starting from actually setting the name.

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Answer 3

Oct 16, 2019 8:18 AM in response to LaPastenague

One other question...I followed your instructions, but when I press update it says "The router address you have entered is not compatible with your WAN IP address" and I can't update it to the settings you've told me to. Thoughts?

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Answer 4

Oct 16, 2019 7:11 AM in response to LaPastenague

Thanks so much for this! Once it's setup, can I unplug the TC from the router so that it can be truly wireless as a backup drive, or does it need to stay plugged in for bridge mode?

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Answer 5

Oct 16, 2019 4:38 PM in response to LaPastenague

Ok, I got it all working. THANK YOU!

Now - one last question, does my TC have to stay plugged into my router, or can I unplug that now?

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Answer 6

Oct 16, 2019 6:22 PM in response to 6Wentertainment

The TC must be permanently connected by ethernet to your Network. For most people that means the main router. If you have any switch or other routers in the house it could be plugged into those.

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What do I do with my Time Capsule now?

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