Connecting Time capsule to existing network

Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the Ethernet ports on the modem/router to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule. This connection must be maintained at all times.

Power up the Time Capsule and let it run for a minute or two

Hold in the reset button on the back of the Time Capsule 7-8 seconds, then release

Allow a full minute for the Time Capsule to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status

On your Mac.....

Click the WiFi menu at the top of the screen

Look for a listing of New AriPort Base Station

Click directly on AirPort Time Capsule

When you click on AirPort Time Capsule, that will start up the AirPort Utility setup "wizard" automatically. The wizard will take a few seconds to analyze the network and then display a screen that looks like the example below, except that you will see a Time Capsule pictured.

Network Name.......Enter a name for a wireless network. Later, you can turn this off if you don't need another network

Base Station Name.....Enter a device name for the Time Capsule. You can use the same name that you have used in the past if you wish, or assign a new name

Password.......Enter a password that you want to use for the Time Capsule

Verify......Enter the same password again to confirm

Click Next, and the setup wizard will automatically configure the Time Capsule for you.

When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.

Now, make sure that you are logged onto the WiFi network provided by the modem/router

See if you can run a backup to the Time Capsule

Post back on your progress and we will continue.

Is there a way to use the time capsule without the cable

No, this is not possible. As I said above, the Time Capsule must remain connected to your modem/router using an Ethernet cable connection permanently, at all times.

You can locate the Time Capsule anywhere that the Ethernet cable will reach. Ethernet cabling can be run up to 100 meters or about 325 feet with no signal loss. My Time Capsule is located 4 rooms away from the main router, for example.

Let us know if you want to continue with the set up.

Just want to make sure that you understand that the Ethernet cable connection between the Time Capsule and the modem/router must remain permanent at all times.

In other words, once the Time Capsule is set up and working, you cannot disconnect the Ethernet cable. Please confirm on that. The Time Capsule does not necessarily need to be close to the modem/router since you run an Ethernet cable virtually any distance in a home with no signal loss.

For example, you might want to install the Time Capsule in a hidden location like a closet or behind something so it is out of sight. My neighbor was glad that he set up his Time Capsule this way because he suffered a theft of his Mac computers from his home, but since he had backups of the Macs, he could load the backups onto the new replacement Macs.

You will be able to back up to the Time Capsule over the WiFi network provided by your modem/router.

Frankly, the set up is much easier on a Mac than on an iPhone, but I will provide instructions for both devices.

The Time Capsule will not be able to "join" a third party wireless network using a wireless connection as you have discovered.

Unfortunately, the setting to "connect to an existing network" is not the correct setting to use either when the Time Capsule connects to a modem/router using an Ethernet cable connection. The correct setting would be "create a wireless network". Later, if you don't need another wireless network, you can turn off the WiFi service on the Time Capsule and use it as only a wired hard drive.

If you need more help with the setup, it would help to know.......

1) The make and model number of your modem/router if possible

2) Whether you will be using a Mac or an iPhone/ iPad to set up the Time Capsule since the setup is different depending on the device used