Loner T Author

Level 9

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Internal disk needs repair

I think I am in the same boat as Internal disk needs repair - Apple Community.

I saw LaPastenague's response. Unless there is any additional guidance, I will pull the drive out and check.

Posted on May 8, 2020 10:49 AM

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LaPastenague

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Posted on May 8, 2020 2:58 PM

For the moment.. you can pull the bad drive from the Gen5 TC.

If you don't replace it you will get a bad drive error but it will continue to work as an Extreme.

You can bridge the Gen4 TC, plug it into the Gen5 and run it just for backups. They are just as fast as the Gen5 but of course only have N wireless which you can turn off.

As a matter of interest I have used WD purple drives (designed for surveillance work) and they are a good choice in TC. I have not heard they went SMR and as long as it has the same model number as older ones they are fine. As are the older WD Reds.. just buy ones that have model number ending FRX not FAX ?? I think those are the numbers.

BTW HGST is owned by WD now.. just in case your issue is with WD itself.

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Loner T Author

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May 12, 2020 12:26 PM in response to Bob Timmons

I currently have

A 2010 Mini Server - USB2, No Thunderbolt, Firewire800
A 2012 Mini Server - USB3, Thunderbolt 1 (10Gbps)
A 2018 Mini - USBc/TB3

I can use any of the Minis as servers with attached storage and use these as Time Machine servers. My thought process is to leave the TC as is, and instead, invest in DAS and build my own TM farm. I have a paid-for server license.

Loner T Author

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May 12, 2020 4:54 PM in response to LaPastenague

It is good for me to have this conversation with you and Bob, which helps me get ideas on replacing aging equipment.

After Sierra (10.12.x), Apple chose to decimate the Server product, which has been lamented by many. I have the 'full' Sierra server.

I have been using the Server Time Machine since Mountain Lion (10.8.5) on a 2012 Mini, and had planned to replace Time Capsules with it, once the TCs started running into issues. My plan was to upgrade this Mini to Sierra, get a Thunderbolt (1/2) disk array as well as use the 2018 Mini (with the free TM server) and start migrating away from the 11ac TCs. If the disks in TCs become problematic, I had much rather continue using them as Extremes, till they completely fail.

Right now I have

2 x 1.5Tb Iomega disks
2 x 5Tb Seagate Backup products (Not very fond of these though)

Loner T Author

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May 23, 2020 3:31 PM in response to LaPastenague

I have come this far - https://imgur.com/a/vQ1uaZk. The two connectors shown (2 and 3) in https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Airport+Time+Capsule+A1470+Hard+Drive+Replacement/61924 make me very nervous. They look very fragile.

The design would have been lot better if these two were routed along the periphery of the TC, instead of over the disk. I will provide updates as I progress.

May 23, 2020 4:56 PM in response to Loner T

We were trying to be accurate in stating earlier that the Time Capsule was never designed to be serviced and will tend to self destruct when you open up the case. So, you are wise to be extremely careful and not tug or pull on anything that looks like it could break or tear.

Good luck!

May 23, 2020 8:34 PM in response to Loner T

The older models were built like a computer.. the new model is built like an iPhone.

Actually a working Gen4 TC is just as good as Gen5 as far as router and maybe even better hard disk performance. It is just missing the AC wireless which was nothing super anyway.. I still have a couple of Gen4 I keep running as I do consider them good solid units.

Loner T Author

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May 24, 2020 4:14 PM in response to LaPastenague

I am looking at Red-10TB-Internal-Hard-Drive which states that it is a CMR drive, but seems to be an FAX rather than a FRX drive.

Red-6TB-NAS-Hard-Drive clearly states CMR and Old version. Almost what I paid for the TC. 😢

May 24, 2020 5:24 PM in response to Loner T

I am looking at Red-10TB-Internal-Hard-Drive which states that it is a CMR drive, but seems to be an FAX rather than a FRX drive.

SMR in the FAX series covers 1TB-6TB

The 8TB and larger are still CMR drives. (From info I read)

Drive costs are sky high.. no doubt about it. Supply and demand.

If you can get away with smaller drive and even buying second hand do it. Drive prices will come down once the world starts working again.

Loner T Author

Level 9

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May 29, 2020 4:19 AM in response to LaPastenague

The TC refused to boot with the new drive. I plan to send it back to Apple for recycling. It was a refurbished unit, ~3 years old, based on the original shipping label. I will use the 4TB NAS for TM backups in a USB enclosure.

Loner T Author

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May 8, 2020 2:21 PM in response to Bob Timmons

I will look for a 5400rpm HGST 2/4TB disk.

Loner T Author

Level 9

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May 8, 2020 9:35 PM in response to LaPastenague

I will look at Toshiba as well. No issues with any specific manufacturer. You alluded to issues with the tower models. Can you elaborate a bit?

May 9, 2020 7:31 AM in response to Loner T

Good luck!

Loner T Author

Level 9

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May 23, 2020 6:05 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob Timmons wrote:

Good luck!

Thank you, sir!

Loner T Author

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59,536 points

May 23, 2020 7:19 PM in response to LaPastenague

The Pizza boxes are much sturdier, despite their flaws.

Loner T Author

Level 9

59,536 points

May 24, 2020 6:38 PM in response to LaPastenague

A 4TB WD/Toshiba CMR drive (used preferred) is what I plan to order in a day or two. I will post back once I have the drive installed with the TC functional.

Loner T Author

Level 9

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May 25, 2020 8:04 AM in response to LaPastenague

A 4TB WD Red CMR (used) for USD 87 is on it's way and should be here on Wednesday.

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Internal disk needs repair