How long should it take for Time Capsule to back up the first time?

That's terrible. 😟 Something is very wrong.

The speed will vary considerably, depending on what's being backed-up at the time (OSX and apps, the first things backed-up, contain zillions of mostly very small files -- since a lot has to be done for each item, those will run much more slowly, per GB, than things like a bunch of video files).

But overall, you should see something on the order of 20-24 GB/hour over Ethernet. If the TC was empty when the backup started, copying should have begun almost immediately.

Try the things in #D2 of Time Machine - Troubleshooting to be sure it's not something else, but it sure sounds like you got another dud.

Message was edited by: Pondini

I have seen really slow slow speeds and it is hard to determine what is going on. But I think to get two duds in a row is stretching the limits.

Make sure you only have wireless running or only ethernet. I have found it really slowed down having multiple networks to the same source.. It doesn't make sense as the Mac should just choose the higher rated link.. but practice and theory is often conflicted.

Make sure your ethernet is getting full gigabit speeds. ie it should link at gigabit and it shows that in Mac when you open the network preferences check the advanced box... last tab ethernet will show.. or more archane just open a terminal and type ifconfig.

You can even try just copying some files to the TC.. create a directory and see.. particularly if it slows down after a few minutes.. I suspect that might be a firmware bug.. For SL there is no advantage to any later firmware from 7.5.2, so I would downgrade the TC to that.

Ken from the bay wrote:

. . .

I think I got another dud TC. The store tells me that 10% of the TCs they sell don't work.

Nothing's perfect, but if that's even 10% true, Apple's got a big hairy problem.

I wondered if the problem was with the new ethernet cable I used. He said it wasn't. He wondered if maybe the port is at fault. I doubt that since it normally serves my internet cable and was just checked for speed.

That's probably true, but sometimes, a plug that makes good contact in one port may be marginal in another. I've fixed slow or intermittent connections by just swapping ends!

Keep us posted.

Ken from the bay wrote:

. . .

I called the store and was told that the problm must lie with my computer and that it should be brought in for possible repir along with the TC.

Could be, if your Mac is also slow when Time Machine isn't running. But that's just terribly slow.

You might also want to double-check the green box in #D2 of Time Machine - Troubleshooting.

Ken from the bay wrote:

At the Time Machine troubleshooting site, I see mention of antivirus software as a possible problem and that it should at least be turned off. I asked that of the Apple tech who said it wouldn't be a problem.

If you mean a Genius, they don't get a lot of training on Time Machine (and don't use it in the stores).

It's mentioned here, among other places: Mac OS X 10.5: Time Machine may display "Preparing" for a longer time.

Even with the TM drive excluded, we do see problems with some anti-virus software slowing backups to a crawl from time to time; that's why it's listed on that page.

my other back up drive isn't being recognized, even after using different ports on the external hub and restarting over and over again. I turn it on and it soon stops whereas it used to appear as a icon on the desktop. It also doesn't appear in Disk Utility window.

That sounds like a problem with the drive. 😟 Try different port(s), cables, and combinations of the two (a plug that works fine in one port may not make good contact in another - if you only have one cable, try swapping ends). If that doesn't help, disconnect it and power it off (if it has its own power) for several minutes. Be sure all plugs are snug and secure. Restart your Mac, reconnect, power it up and try again. If it still won't appear, it's almost certainly failed. Last resort, see if a different computer can see it.

Ken from the bay wrote:

To think that the anti-virus softwarre could have been the problem all along is troubling to say the least. Maybe I should try again before taking it and my computer in, as they suggest.

Did you try unintstalling it, turning it off, or at least excluding your backups earlier? If not, it's worth a try. There are many threads here where one AV app or another has played havoc with TM backups (and other things).

The store does use Time Machine and TC for their backups.

That's new or unusual; most don't, or didn't a year or so ago.

But good -- maybe they'll begin to learn more than the basics about it. 🙂

A problem with the drive? It may sound like that, but am tempted to blame Apple. It worked fine until TC was installed. I tried all the suggestions you make and it's still not being recognized.

Installing a TC won't have any effect on an external HD (unless you connect it to the TC). If neither your Mac nor another computer even recognize it, it's likely failed. If it has it's own power supply, it could be that.