I recently had to upgrade my WiFi. I was wondering, rather than buying an external hard drive to back up using Time Machine, is there some way to use the hard drive of the Time Capsule without it interfering with my current WiFi. And if so, how would I do that? I have a MacBook Pro.
I'm sure this shows I am NOT that computer literate. So details are important.
Thanks.
MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.13
Log onto the Linksys network on your Mac
Open AirPort Utility on your Mac (Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility)
Click on the Time Capsule
Click Edit in the smaller window that appears
Click the Wireless tab at the top of the next window
Change the setting for Network Mode from Create a wireless network to Off
Click Update at the lower right of the window to save the new setting
Remember, we had to use the Time Capsule WiFi to set up the Time Capsule to work with your Linksys router, so it was not possible to turn off the WiFi at that time.......we would not have been able to set up the Time Capsule. That's why I said that we could turn off the Time Capsule WiFi later.
Log onto the Linksys network on your Mac
Open AirPort Utility on your Mac (Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility)
Click on the Time Capsule
Click Edit in the smaller window that appears
Click the Wireless tab at the top of the next window
Change the setting for Network Mode from Create a wireless network to Off
Click Update at the lower right of the window to save the new setting
Remember, we had to use the Time Capsule WiFi to set up the Time Capsule to work with your Linksys router, so it was not possible to turn off the WiFi at that time.......we would not have been able to set up the Time Capsule. That's why I said that we could turn off the Time Capsule WiFi later.
What device......make and model number......is providing your current WiFi service?
We ask because it is normally possible to configure the Time Capsule to connect to your WiFi router using a wired Ethernet cable connection. Then, you can back up over your normal WiFi network to the Time Capsule.
In other words, you won't be using the WiFi capability of the Time Capsule at all in this type of setup. You will be using your current WiFi service to back up to the Time Capsule which is connected to your WiFi router.
You will need a spare Ethernet cable to connect the Time Capsule to your WiFi router. The cable can be any length or color that you want
OK, thanks.
Please log onto the Linksys WiFi network and see if you can run a backup from your Mac to the Time Capsule over the Linksys WiFi network.
If the process begins, you may see "Preparing" for a long time before the backup actually begins because of the changes that have occurred. Let the process run until it completes, or until you see an error message. Post back with the exact text of the error message if one appears.
If the process cannot run at all, you will see a message to the effect that Time Machine cannot find the backup disk (Time Capsule)
Report on your results.
Click on the listing at the top to highlight it, then click Remove Disk at the lower right of the window.
Close the windows
Restart your Mac
Open System Preferences, then open Time Machine
Click on Add or Remove Disk, or it might read Select Disk
Under Available Disks, click on the name of the Time Capsule disk to highlight it
Click Use Disk
Close the windows
See if you can run a Time Machine backup by clicking on the Time Machine "clock" icon at the top of the Mac's screen, then clicking Back Up Now
You won't be able to run a backup from the Linksys App, that is for the Linksys system only.
Make sure that you are logged onto the Linksys WiFi network
On your Mac......
Open System Preferences (the gear icon on the dock)
Open Time Machine
Click Add or Remove Disk
Does the Time Capsule disk (likely named "Data") appear under the heading of Backup Disks at the top of the window?
If not, does the Time Capsule ("Data) disk appear under the heading of Available Disks in the middle of the window?
OK, Bob. Thanks so much.
I appreciate the time you took to get me through this.
Everything is back on WaltsWiFi, utilities are all green.
You were really great. AND patient!
Time Machine started up again, so that looks good too! Yea!
The Modem was provided by Spectrum (no other model name anywhere obvious) Model # ET2251
The router is a LinkSys Velop.
I have the Ethernet cable but there is only one Ethernet connector on the modem. There is a "spare" Ethernet connector on the router.
There are two "Voice" connectors on the modem (looking like they are phone connectors.)
OK. Here's what I have done so far.
Logged on to the LinkSys network through the LinkSys app (which is on my phone). It recognizes the Time Capsule.
Couldn't figure out how to run a backup from that, so I tried running Time Machine. It said it could not find the backup disk.
Looking at my WiFi "list" I see that I am currently using a different network(?).
It was WaltsWiFi. Now it seems to be running under Walter's Wi-Fi Network.
WaltsWiFi was what I set up under the LinkSys system. Is the Walter's WiFi Network the Time Capsule?
My Tablet is still using WaltsWiFi OK. Phone too.
OK.
Everything went as you said, except that the utility started itself and went through it "paces".
I did not have to relog into the network.
At the top it shows "Walter Menzies's Time Capsu" (on "Walter Menzies's Time Capsule.local
THEN
Available Disks:"Walter Menzies's Time Capsu" on "Walter's Airport Time Capsule.local
AND
"Other"
OK. Everything looks good. Utilities is green. Time Machine is running (needed password) and took a long time "preparing".
But is now backing up!
Thank you very much!
Nice work!
Do you want to leave the Time Capsule WiFi network available, or turn it off?
I would prefer to have only the one - LinkSys. It's faster.
I see no need to have two as long as Time Machine works.
Nice work, looks like you are all set. Not sure why you marked your "thanks" message as the solution to your question though. That may confuse other users who are looking for a similar solution.
Using my Time Capsule strictly as an external hard drive.
