I just switched my internet provider, and want to re-connect my Time Capsule to just be back-up only. It was previously used also as my wireless router. However, despite it being connected properly to the modem, I'm getting a flashing amber light and it doesn't seem to be recognizing the modem. How long does this take?
Thanks!
Time Capsule-OTHER
Reset the TC to factory.. it is in the wrong mode..
Here is the suggested steps.
Start from a factory reset. No files are lost on the hard disk doing this.
Factory reset universal
Power off the TC.. ie pull the power cord or power off at the wall.. wait 10sec.. hold in the reset button.. be gentle.. power on again still holding in reset.. and keep holding it in for another 10sec. You may need some help as it is hard to both hold in reset and apply power. It will show success by rapidly blinking the front led. Release the reset.. and wait a couple of min for the TC to reset and come back with factory settings. If the front LED doesn’t blink rapidly you missed it and simply try again. The reset is fairly fragile in these.. press it so you feel it just click and no more.. I have seen people bend the lever or even break it. I use a toothpick as tool.
N.B. None of your files on the hard disk of the TC are deleted.. this simply clears out the router settings of the TC.
Setup the TC again.
Then redo the setup from the computer.
1. Use very short names.. NOT APPLE RECOMMENDED names. No spaces and pure alphanumerics.
eg TCgen5 for basestation and TCwifi wireless name.
If there are issues with wireless use TC24ghz and TC5ghz with fixed channels as this also seems to help stop the nonsense.
2. Use all passwords that also comply with 1. but can be a bit longer. ie 8-20 characters mixed case and numbers.. no non-alphanumerics.
The rest are for issues where the OS has issues finding the TC in normal operation. Mavericks and Yosemite front and centre.
3. If the TC is main router you can skip this point. This is only an issue when the TC is bridged.
Ensure the TC always takes the same IP address.. you will need to do this on the main router using dhcp reservation.. or a bit more complex setup using static IP in the TC. But this is important.. having IP drift all over the place when Yosemite cannot remember its own name for 5 min after a reboot makes for poor networking.
4. Check your share name on the computer is not changing.. make sure it also complies with the above.. short no spaces and pure alphanumeric.. but this change will mess up your TM backup.. so be prepared to do a new full backup. Sorry.. keep this one for second round if you want to avoid a new backup.
5. Mount the TC disk in the computer manually.
In Finder, Go, Connect to server from the top menu,
Type in SMB://192.168.0.254 (or whatever the TC ip is which you have now made static. As a router by default it is 10.0.1.1 and I encourage people to stick with that unless you know what you are doing).
You can use name.. SMB://TCgen5.local where you replace TCgen5 with your TC name.. local is the default domain of the TC and doesn't change.
However names are not so easy as IP address.. nor as reliable. At least not in Yosemite they aren't. The domain can also be an issue if you are not plugged or wireless directly to the TC.
6. Make sure IPv6 is set to link-local only in the computer. For example wireless open the network preferences, wireless and advanced / TCP/IP.. and fix the IPv6. to link-local only. Do the same for ethernet if you use it.
There is a lot more jiggery pokery you can try but the above is a good start.. if you find it still unreliable.. don't be surprised.
You might need to do some more work on the computer itself. eg Reset the PRAM.. has helped some people. Clean install of the OS is also helpful if you upgrade installed.
Tell us how you go.
Someone posted a solution.. See this thread.
Macbook can't find Time Capsule anymore
Start from the bottom and work up.. I have a list of good network practice changes but I have avoided Yosemites bug heaven.
Yosemite has serious DNS bug in the networking application.. here is the lets say more arcane method of fixing it by doing a network transplant from mavericks.
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/01/why-dns-in-os-x-10-10-is-broken-and-what-yo u-can-do-to-fix-it/
For your setup if you still have issues.. please post more details.
Actual model of the modem router you are using?
What model is the TC?
What OS on the computer?
Thanks for the info! I did reset, but now not sure what to do - I will be using my new modem from my IP as the wireless router, and I just want to set up the time capsule to be used as my time machine wirelessly for the computers. How do I do that? It's asking me to either create a new network, add to an existing network, or replace an existing device. I don't know which to choose. Thanks!
The Modem router is from Bell, Sagemcom Fast 5250, the Time Capsule is about 5 years old
operating system depends on which computer - I can't upgrade one of them anymore, so I have Mavericks on the MacBook, and a G5 with OS 10.6.8
Frances J wrote:
Thanks for the info! I did reset, but now not sure what to do - I will be using my new modem from my IP as the wireless router, and I just want to set up the time capsule to be used as my time machine wirelessly for the computers. How do I do that? It's asking me to either create a new network, add to an existing network, or replace an existing device. I don't know which to choose. Thanks!
You want to create a new network.
You are not adding or replacing to any existing apple router..
Mostly the airport utility gets it right but if not just edit the result at the end.
Click the TC.. click edit in the utility.
Fix the names as per what I posted during the main setup..
Ensure you are in bridge.
Ensure you create the wireless network.. not extend not join.
It is better to have the Mac connect to the TC and that internet will go through the TC to the Mac.. but it can be used via the Sagemcom as well. At least via ethernet it will be fast.. !!
Time capsule connected to new IP and modem - not recognizing it
