I have an Airport time capsule that has worked just fine until yesterday. The light on the front does not light up and it doesn't connect to the internet. However, when I unplug it and plug it back in, I can hear it start up and even feel it running.
Any ideas??
It's a power supply problem. The power supply is failing and cannot provide enough current for a complete start up, even though it might be providing enough power for the hard drive. It will not be too long before the hard drive will not spin up.
Apple does not offer repairs on the Time Capsule, but an independent shop might be able to locate a replacement power supply board to get things running again. The problem with this is that the Time Capsule hard drive is likely 5+ years old, so it is also subject to failure.
Some users have tried repairs themselves, but I can say from experience that this is extremely difficult since the Time Capsule was not designed for service and tends to self destruct when components are removed from the outer case.
If the data on the Time Capsule hard drive is important to you, your best bet might be to have a shop pull the hard drive and then place it in a caddy or enclosure so you can copy all of the data over to a new USB hard drive, or the shop could probably do this for you as well.
It's frustrating.......since replacing both the power supply and hard drive would likely cost more than the original cost of the Time Capsule.
It's a power supply problem. The power supply is failing and cannot provide enough current for a complete start up, even though it might be providing enough power for the hard drive. It will not be too long before the hard drive will not spin up.
Apple does not offer repairs on the Time Capsule, but an independent shop might be able to locate a replacement power supply board to get things running again. The problem with this is that the Time Capsule hard drive is likely 5+ years old, so it is also subject to failure.
Some users have tried repairs themselves, but I can say from experience that this is extremely difficult since the Time Capsule was not designed for service and tends to self destruct when components are removed from the outer case.
If the data on the Time Capsule hard drive is important to you, your best bet might be to have a shop pull the hard drive and then place it in a caddy or enclosure so you can copy all of the data over to a new USB hard drive, or the shop could probably do this for you as well.
It's frustrating.......since replacing both the power supply and hard drive would likely cost more than the original cost of the Time Capsule.
Unfortunately, that is a loaded question.
The Time Capsule was a unique product.......a WiFi router with a built in hard drive designed to store Time Machine backups of your Mac(s). Another way to say the same thing.......the Time Capsule was really two products in one.
No other manufacturer ever offered a similar product, so there really is not a "replacement" for the Time Capsule.
If you don't really need another WiFi router, the simplest, cheapest and most reliable way to back up your Mac(s) is connect a USB hard drive directly to the Mac and back up that way.
Another option if you don't need another router........add a Network Attached Storage device, known as a NAS and connect that to your WiFi router to store backups from the Mac(s). The downside.......this is a far more expensive solution. NAS products from Synology are popular with Apple users.
If you really do need another router......two manufacturers.......Synology and Asus......offer WiFi routers with a USB port on the back of the product to which you can add a separate USB hard drive drive and back up that way. So, instead of an "all in one" product like the Time Capsule, you will have two separate products to provide the same service as a Time Capsule.
Yes, I did realize it was a 'two in one' apparatus. LOL Thank you for explaining all of that. I will have to do some shopping I guess for a wireless router. I appreciate you taking the time to answer all of these questions. Have a wonderful holiday! Debbie
Is this is 4th Generation Time Capsule? That would be model number A1409.
If you are not sure, look on the bottom of the Time Capsule for the model number, which might be embedded in the foam pad base. otherwise, it might be on a label.
Post back with the model number that you see.
The hard disk is working but the main board of the Time Capsule is dead. This is not unusual. Power supply in your case is OK.. often the power supply goes before the board but yours is still active.. hence the spin up of the hard disk at power on.
One last check before the wrecking ball drops.. during boot up the ethernet ports should all briefly flash on.. and you should get a green light when you plug an ethernet cable from active device. No luck well it is time for the TC to RIP.. !!
Before burial you do need to open the base and recover the hard disk. If you made backups without encryption they can be recovered by anyone. Not good.
You can return it to Apple for safe disposal.
Model number A1470
can you recommend a replacement please?
thank you
Airport time capsule issues
