Airport time capsule

Disconnect any Ethernet cables that might be connected to the Time Capsule and power it off

Temporarily, disconnect the Ethernet device that is connected to the Ethernet <--> port on the Netgear router. Later, it will be connected to an Ethernet port on the Time Capsule

Connect an Ethernet cable from the Ethernet port on the Netgear router to the "O" labeled port on the back of the Time Capsule

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

Hold in the reset button on the back of the Time Capsule for 7-8 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the Time Capsule to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status

Open AirPort Utility on your Mac (Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility)

Click on the Other WiFi Devices button

Click on Time Capsule xxxxxxx

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

Network Name......the wizard will suggest a name for a network. Leave that alone. Later, the WiFi will be turned off on the Time Capsule if you wish

Base Station Name......type in a short device name that you want to call the Time Capsule.

Password......type in a password for the Time Capsule

Verify......type in the same password again to confirm

Click Next

It will take the wizard a minute or two to set up the Time Capsule. Should be a green light on the Time Capsule at this point

Post back if that is NOT the case

If a green light appears on the Time Capsule........

Make sure that you are logged onto the Netgear WiFi network signal from your Mac because the Mac might be logged onto the Time Capsule WiFi at this time.

Check to make sure that your Mac is logged onto the Netgear WiFi signal.

Click on the Time Machine "clock" icon at the top of the Mac's screen

Click on Back Up Now

Watch to see if a Time Machine backup will run correctly while you are logged onto the Netgear WiFi network. The backup may take longer than normal if you have not backed up to the Time Capsule in a few days.

Please report on your results. If an error message appears, please post back with the exact text of the message

If all is well, you can now connect the Ethernet device that you previously disconnected to one of the three LAN <--> Ethernet ports on the Time Capsule.

If you want to turn off the WiFi function on the Time Capsule, so that it will operate only as wired hard drive........

Make sure that you are still logged onto the Netgear WiFi network

Open AirPort Utility on your Mac

Click on the picture of the Time Capsule

Click Edit in the small window that appears

Click the Wireless tab at the top of the next window

Change the setting for Network Mode by clicking on the selection box from Create a wireless network to Off

Click Update at the lower right of the window to save the new settings and let the Time Capsule restart again

The Time Capsule was previously programmed with settings to connect to your "old" router. In fact, the Time Capsule might have in fact been your "router" previously, so it will not function correctly with a new mesh router.

The Time Capsule needs to be reset back to default settings to erase the "old" configuration set up and then programmed again so that it will pick up the correct settings that it needs to connect to your "new" mesh router. This type of reset will not affect any of the data that might already be stored on the Time Capsule hard drive.

It also may be necessary to change the Time Machine settings on your Mac if backups do not restart automatically.

The Time Caspule will still provide a WiFi signal when it is set up again, but if you don't need another WiFi network for guests or the kids to use, it is a simple matter involving a few clicks in AirPort Utility to turn off the WiFi signal on the Time Capsule so that it will function only as a wired hard drive.

If all this sounds a bit intimidating, we can provide step by step instructions if you need them.

We'll assume that you will be using a Mac to reset and then set up the Time Capsule again, but it would be helpful if we knew the make and model number of the new mesh router to make sure that we are providing the correct steps to hook up the Time Capsule on your new mesh network.

A model number would really help so we can download the manual and specifications for the router. Or, a link for that information would work as well.

We do not need a serial number so please do not post that information.

This model has two Ethernet ports. You are likely already using one of them to connect to the modem. Is the other port "open" and "available"?

That is where the Time Capsule will need to connect. You will also need an Ethernet cable to connect the Time Capsule to the Netgear router.

The Time Capsule will need to connect to the Ethernet port on the Orbi router.

One of the four ports on the Time Capsule will be used for this, but there will be 3 additional Ethernet ports on the Time Capsule available that will allow you to connect wired devices to the network.

It is late here. I will post instructions in the morning.