No partition/disk found on time capsule (Big Sur)

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No partition/disk found on time capsule (Big Sur)

Hi,

I need to reinstall my OS and my existing 4 hard drives cant keep up with the growing sizes.

So I got a time capsule from a friend to create a backup for my Macbook Pro late 2013, latest Big Sur 11.1.

The installation went fine, I connected the time capsule through Ethernet and disabled the wireless network setup/extension.

Unfortunately, there is no disk/partition shown.

Does anyone have an idea what is wrong?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Jan 28, 2021 2:39 AM

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Answer 1

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Bob Timmons

Community+ 2025

Level 10

184,742 points

Jan 28, 2021 6:41 AM in response to Emohel

Open AirPort Utility

Hold down the option key while you double-click on the picture of the Time Capsule and info will be displayed about the device

What model do you have?

If you see AirPort Extreme there, that device does not have a built in hard drive, so no Disk info will be displayed when you click on the Disk tab in AirPort Utility.

If you see Time Capsule, the hard drive is very likely defective.

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Answer 2

Emohel Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 28, 2021 7:31 AM in response to Bob Timmons

I guess you pointed me to the answer.

It states "AirPort Extreme 802.11ac". On the bottom of the base station, it's saying A1521.

So there is no hard drive included in this model ( I thought they all have one) and I guess I can not put one inside? Only attach one to the USB port?

thank you

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Answer 3

Jan 28, 2021 7:43 AM in response to Emohel

AirPort Extreme is a router only. An AirPort Time Capsule is a router with a built in hard drive.

It is not possible to install an internal drive inside AirPort Extreme, but you can attach a USB hard drive to the AirPort Extreme.

Having said that, I would not recommend that you do this for the following reasons:

The USB port is underpowered, so it is often necessary to use a powered USB hub, even if the hard drive has its own power supply.
The USB port is an ancient USB 2.0 design that is much slower than current USB 3.0 designs
The controller inside the AirPort further cuts and limits speeds by about half or 50%

If you do decide to try to connect a hard drive to the USB port on the AirPort anyway, you will likely discover a new meaning for the word "slow"

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No partition/disk found on time capsule (Big Sur)

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