Hi-
I would like to connect my time capsule to my PC laptop via ethernet to transfer files, just as you would with an external hard drive.
The TC is not connected to the internet, and I am unable to connect to the internet, so it is key to connect via ethernet cable between the two.
Is this possible?!
Thanks for the Help, Mark
Time Capsule-OTHER
thanks for the response.
2. I previously lived in an apartment, and had a MBP which I backed up to my TC (which also hosted the wifi network)...Everything worked fantastic.
Now I live in a dorm, and am phasing out my MBP, unfortunately switching to a PC. My PC uses dorm provided wifi, and there are strict rules in place preventing residents to generate their own network.
So I want to still use the TC as a big-*** (expensive) external HD. I dont need to get into the time machine backup from windows, I just would like to dump files onto it like a HD.
5. I am realizing this, unfortunately.
OK>> gotcha..
Do this.
1. Factory reset the TC.
The Factory Reset universal
Unplug your TC/AE. Hold in reset. and power the TC/AE back on.. all without releasing reset and keep holding in for about 10sec. The time is not important.. it is the front LED rapid flashing that indicates you are in factory mode.
Release reset.
If it doesn’t flash rapidly you have released reset at some point and try again.
Be Gentle! Feel the switch click on. It has a positive feel.. add no more pressure after that.
TC/AE will reboot after a couple of minutes with default factory settings and will wipe out previous configurations.
No files are deleted on the hard disk.. No reset of the TC deletes files.. to do that you use erase from the airport utility.
2. Open the airport utility on the Mac.
Setup the TC manually as per this page.
Using Time Capsule hardwired to Mac for back-up only.
3. In your case the only thing you need to modify is to turn off the wireless.. as you will use ethernet.
4. Connect the TC hard disk in windows explorer by typing in the IP address directly.
\\10.0.1.1
It should work.
Otherwise just buy a 2TB nice Toshiba Carvio or similar.. USB is now so cheap and convenient really this is more an exercise in networking than setting up a backup.
You can connect a pc to the TC.. whether you can actually get the disk access you want is another question.
1. Do you have the airport utility loaded on the PC.. if not download and install it.. this is important as it has a windows version of the apple bonjour protocol that helps no end. There is also a helper to find the disks.
2. You will need to explain more what this means.
The TC is not connected to the internet, and I am unable to connect to the internet, so it is key to connect via ethernet cable between the two.
How does the laptop get internet? If it is using wireless for example.. then you must setup the ethernet settings correctly for the TC to not use the same subnet.. it also has to not provide wrong gateway and DNS values.. especially since ethernet will naturally take precedence over wireless..
Explain the whole thing carefully.. what IP you get and how you internet.. Do you get an IP by dhcp from the TC .. if not .. reset the TC to factory and start over so the TC is in router mode.
3. At some point I have to know what model TC you are talking about and what firmware it runs.
4. Try directly connecting via windows explorer.
Type \\TCname or \\TCIPaddress into the address bar.. where the TCname is the actual network name.. hopefully you setup a name like TCgenx (short no spaces and pure alphanumeric) or its IP eg 10.0.1.1 which is default in router mode.
5. It is a heck of lot easier, faster and more reliable to use USB disks.. just so you know.
wow--fantastic!
so the factory reset wont clear any data, including time machine backups from my mac?
and can you explain step 4. a bit more?? how do i find IP address of TC, and where do i network it to pc?
thanks so much
No data is cleared by factory reset. I did already say that in the bit about how to factory reset.. but to make you certain.. there is only one way to delete files from the hard disk in a TC.. open airport utility.. go to the disk tab and erase them.. or locate the files in finder and delete them.. ie things you do deliberately. Nothing from pressing physical reset will delete the files.
Plug the TC into the computer.. by ethernet.
Ensure that the PC gets its IP from the TC.. If you don't know Windows you will have to learn where they hide this info. Me.. I still open a command window and type ipconfig /all
The IP address of the TC is what I wrote.. because after a factory reset that is what it will be.
So to gain access to a network drive.. type into the address bar of windows explorer its IP address.. I don't think there is any way I can make it clearer.
\\10.0.1.1
It is much easier if you have airport utility loaded into windows.. I already said that.. have you done it?? If airport utility can find the TC then you should have very little difficulty.
If it doesn't show up.. then the issue is stupid windows firewalls.. if you bought a new windows laptop from any of the big companies.. it will have several lots of security software on it.. waiting for you to pay money to them. These softwares can block your access to the TC. Turn them off at least for a test.
Ensure windows is set to home.. not work or public as location.. and you may even need to turn off the internal windows firewall.
Post again if you are desperate.. but tell me if you can at least ping the TC. You will need to look up how to ping from a PC.
And then go out and buy a USB drive.
Time Capsule as PC external Hard Drive through ethernet
