Blinking amber light on my TC, got mesg: "internal disk needs repair" how do I fix this?
MacBook Pro, iOS 8.1.2
Unfortunately, it is not really possible to "repair" the disk. All that can be done is to erase the disk and try again.
From Apple Support:
How to verify or erase an AirPort Time Capsule disk - Apple Support
So by erasing the TC disk, does this mean all my backups are gone and I have an empty disk?
All your backups are already gone.. a broken hard disk.. that has not stopped the boot.. means it is corrupted completely. Most likely it has lost it data partition.. recovery is vaguely possible if you have files you copied to it that you desperately want and are prepared to pay big money to recover.. but for backups forget it.. erase and see if it works to fix it.. erase will reformat the drive.. but I recommend not just quick erase.. do a one pass erase so you low level format the disk..
But I also need to add... if it formats ok.. never trust it again. What happened once will happen again .. disks that are recovered might work but I always grade a disk that has failed once as suspect.
If the TC is under warranty or applecare return it..
For a Gen3 or Gen4 TC.. replacement of the drive could be worthwhile.. tell us more.
For a Gen1 or Gen2 it is time for a new TC or other backup device.
That is correct. Unfortunately, Apple does not mention details like this in their support documents.
There is no guarantee that erasing the disk will solve your issue if the disk has a physical defect. But, at the same time, it is really your only option or chance to try to get things going again.
If the Time Capsule is still covered by warranty or AppleCare, you might want to ask Apple to replace the Time Capsule for you.
Thanks, I bought my TC Aug 2014, so I'll have to check my receipt. I guess I'll just have to erase the disk.
If you have Applecare in effect on any of your Macs, the Time Capsule is automatically covered for up to 3 years from the date of purchase.
Most of us have found out sooner or later that having only one set of backups is not enough.
I would try to get apple to replace it..
That is only just over 12 months of operation and totally unacceptable.
Applecare on a computer or appletv will still cover the TC.. and you still have the opportunity to buy applecare for up to August 2016.. according to the applecare rules.. I recommend people buy apple tv.. don't unwrap it.. buy applecare for it.. get apple to replace the TC.. return the Apple TV for a refund.. it is simply to get applecare to cover your TC.
Mesg on my TC: internal disk needs repair, how can I fix this?
