How to use time capsule for backup service only

With luck, we may be able to change the settings in AirPort Utility rather than having to reset the Time Capsule back to default settings and then set it up all over again.

Make sure that the Ethernet cable connects from a LAN <--> port on the new router to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule.

Open up AirPort Utility, click on the Time Capsule, and then click Edit in the smaller window that appears

Click the Network tab at the top of the next screen.

Make sure that the setting for Router Mode is set to "Off (Bridge Mode)"

Then, if you have changed the setting, click Update at the lower right of the window and give the Time Capsule a minute to restart.

With luck, you will have a green light on the Time Capsule.

Post back on your progress, and then we will reset Time Machine so that backups will occur correctly on the network.

Open Airport Utility and click on the amber/orange circle gadget for an explanation. It may simply be that you need to sync the two together. Do that by removing power from the modem, the router, and the computer. Wait at least one minute. Then, sequentially:

1. Connect power to the modem and wait until the status lights show connection to the ISP.
2. Connect power to the router and wait for the status light show connection with the modem.
3. Turn on the computer.

If the amber light has not turned to green then you need to check the configuration for changes needed.

Listen to Bob. He's the networking guru here. 🙂

Unfortunately, the information that you have provided indicates that you will need to reset the Time Capsule back to factory default settings and then set it up again.

With the Time Capsule (TC) powered on, hold in the reset button on the back of the TC for 7-8 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the TC to restart back to factory default settings with a slow, blinking amber light status.

Check again to make sure that the Ethernet cable connects from a LAN <--> port on the router to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule

Click the WiFi icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station. Just below that, click on Time Capsule. The illustration below shows an AirPort Extreme, but you will see Time Capsule on your screen.

When you click on Time Capsule, that will get the setup wizard running. It will take a minute to analyze the network and then present a screen that looks similar to this, except you will see a picture of the Time Capsule.

Network Name.......Type in a name for the TC wireless. Later, we will turn off the wireless on the TC if you don't want to use it.

Base Station Name......Type in the same name that you used before with the Time Capsule, or you can change to a new name

Password......Type in a password for the wireless and the Time Capsule device. You can use the same password that you used before if you wish, or type in a new password

Verify.....Type in the password again to confirm

Click Next

The setup wizard will configure everything for you. When you see the message of setup complete, click Done. You should have a green light on the Time Capsule now. Post back on your progress.

by doing this. will I delete all of the data I have stored there?

No, the data on the Time Capsule hard drive will not be affected in any way. The reset will only erase the network settings.

I think I still need to set this device up so that I can continue backing up my MBP.

That is very likely correct, since you have changed your network, you will probably need to reset the path to tell Time Machine how to back up the Mac.

Post back if you need some help with this.

This sounds as if you may be using Yosemite (10.10.x) on your Mac. Is that correct?

Unfortunately, Yosemite has a number of network bugs that are causing a number of different issues.

One of the most common Yosemite bugs is known as "ghosting". By that, I mean that Yosemite thinks there are two Time Capsules on your network when you really have only one.

Or, Yosemite will think that you have two Macs on the network when you really have only one.

I am not as up to speed on all of the Yosemite bugs and workarounds as some of the other Yosemite gurus, so you may want to start another post for the issue what you experiencing. Not many users will see the new issue that you have, which is buried deep in this post.

There are a few things that you can check though, before you start another post.

On your Mac, click on System Preferences (gear icon on the dock), then open Sharing. Make sure that the name of your Mac appears correctly here, and there is not a (2), (3), (4), etc appearing after the name. If there is, edit the name so that it appears correctly. The error will likely return, so you will need to continue to check this on a regular basis.

The other that that may help is to perform a complete network power cycle. That would mean that you power off every device on your network.....in any order that you want. Then, wait a minute and start up the modem and let it run 2-3 minutes. Then, start the next device connected to the modem and let it run a full minute. Keep starting devices one at at time until the entire network is back up.

Check to see if you still have multiple images of the same device.