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Level 1

11 points

Failed back ups

My time capsule has been giving me error messages for weeks. Each time it attempts a back-up it fails. The error message is as follows:

Make sure your computer and the backup disk are on the same network, and that the backup disk is turned on. Then try again to back up.

I have had some difficulty maintaining a wifi connection. But if I turn airport on and off it usually connects right away.

I am using a MBP from around 2006 OSX 10.6.8

I'm at a loss how to trouble shoot. It says my last successful backup was in late June. I am able to connect to Time Machine and it shows backups through July and even yesterday. Presumably they are incomplete?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

MacBook Pro (15-inch 2.4/2.2 GHz), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Aug 4, 2013 6:59 AM

Best reply

LaPastenague

Level 9

67,226 points

Posted on Aug 4, 2013 2:29 PM

I would do a complete new setup.. plug the TC into the computer by ethernet in full isolation from the network.. turn off wireless in the laptop.

Do a full factory reset of the TC.

The Factory Reset.

Power down the TC.

Hold in reset. and keep holding it in. Be Gentle! It is a tiny surface mount switch with a plastic lever.. Attempting to push it out the other side of the TC will not make the switch turn on better.

(I fix TC and have several reset levers bent over and jammed or broken off).

Power on the TC.. remember with the reset held in.. this needs three arms.. a friend or power switch you can get to with your feet..

Keep holding in reset for about 10sec until the front LED flashes rapidly.

Release reset and wait .. the boot will be slow as it deletes previous setting.. only from router side and pulls out the factory defaults. No files are deleted on the hard disk.. but the name of the TC may change.

Now open it with the airport utility.. and do a verify of the backups.

A5 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

See if the backup is still ok.. do a TM backup now.. still fully isolated from the network.

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38 replies

Aug 11, 2013 5:56 PM in response to tsl90

For speed 5ghz but yes it has to be close..

2.4ghz better for range.. speed is better at long range where 5ghz is no longer able to work.

Sorry to confuse you..

It sounds like you need something to extend wireless.. but I thought with a laptop you would just move closer to the signal source.

tsl90 Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 11, 2013 6:09 PM in response to LaPastenague

Understood.

The TC has to stay upstairs. We just recently got access to another ISP and I hope to change so that I can move the router downstairs.

I generally stay close - and usually my icon shows full, but occasionally it will drop off. I notice more with my phone. When I am wandering the house I will lose signal altogether sometimes.

Thanks again for the help. I'll see how this does for a bit

tsl90 Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 12, 2013 6:26 PM in response to LaPastenague

Just an update - switched to channel 11 last PM. So far no issues. Laptop and phone are connecting reliably. MBP has made every scheduled TM backup as near as I can tell. I can enter TM and exit without difficulty. My phone even connects in parts of the house where it didn't before.

I think this might have really been a big part of it. I'm tempted to try a wireless print again... We'll see.

Thanks again for all the help. Still working on a new HD soon.

tsl90 Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 24, 2013 9:49 AM in response to tsl90

Still very stable since switching channels. TM is working flawlessly. Computer and phone connect to wifi better than before.

I have a new HD. So far it is formatted and contains a cloned copy that I booted from to write this.

When I install into the laptop, do I need to do anything with TM? Is it a problem that suddently this HD is 3x the size it was?

Thanks

Aug 24, 2013 2:35 PM in response to tsl90

TM will likely just continue to work just fine.

Pondini has info about how to pick up the old TM backup.

B5 and B6 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

Pondini is the best resource for the TM issues.

It sounds like after a lot of messing and pain it is all going as it should..

Well done for persevering through it all.

You will now graduate as Guru J.G. Eggs Spurt TM repairer!!

tsl90 Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 24, 2013 3:11 PM in response to LaPastenague

Thanks. I had a bit of help...

Going very well overall.

Plan to swap the HD this PM.

Oddest thing. I have still stuggled with the wireless printing. I tried for a few hours last PM and only got it to print once. I had given up.

Woke up this AM and rebooted prior to cloning the new HD. Just for fun I tried to print. And it worked. I've printed 10 times today...

Not sure what happened.

Thanks again for all the help

Aug 24, 2013 3:36 PM in response to tsl90

The sign of the true Guru is to recognise wireless as a network medium is 89% voodoo.. and 20-30% science.. (voodoo cannot count so nothing has to come to 100%).

Wireless after you bash away for a few years.. finally will get to a point that it works.. or you will run ethernet.

I am an adopter of the later.. after years bashing.. wireless is too flakey to trust. Ran ethernet.. and even the time and expense was all justified by the fact that it is nearly 100% reliable..

Now wireless has improved.. I have more wireless than ever.. but all connected via ethernet.. and always able to be bypassed at a moments notice when it acts up.

tsl90 Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 24, 2013 4:05 PM in response to LaPastenague

I hear the wisdom in those words...

Very wise indeed.

Thanks again for all the help.

Failed back ups