HT201510: Setting up Time Capsule for the first time

Learn about Setting up Time Capsule for the first time
jswen12354

Q: How do I get two devices set up on the airport

I have two macs and would like to get both backed up on the airport.  Suggestions?

iMac with Retina 5K display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Mar 11, 2016 1:24 PM

Close

Q: How do I get two devices set up on the airport

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 11, 2016 1:30 PM in response to jswen12354
    Level 10 (105,055 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 11, 2016 1:30 PM in response to jswen12354

    When you say that you have an AirPort, we assume that this is an AirPort Time Capsule, correct?

     

    If you have one Mac now backing up to the Time Capsule using Time Machine, then you would set up the second Mac exactly the same way. The Macs will then alternate backing up automatically.

     

    Or, are  you saying that you do not have either Mac set up for Time Machine backups at this time.......and you need to get the first Mac set up first, then the second?

  • by jswen12354,

    jswen12354 jswen12354 Mar 11, 2016 1:33 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 1:33 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob,

     

    Thanks and yes it's a time capsule.  I have a macbook pro and an iMac.  Both connected to the wireless.  Tried the Time Machine app but it doesn't seem to respond correctly. says "cannot connect to a current time machine back up disk."  Not sure if I missed a step.

     

    J

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 11, 2016 1:41 PM in response to jswen12354
    Level 10 (105,055 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 11, 2016 1:41 PM in response to jswen12354

    OK, thanks for the info.  Let's concentrate on getting one Mac set up, and the first back up completed......before we try to set up the second Mac.

     

    Sorry, for the questions, but we cannot see your network and need to understand how that it is set up.

     

    Can both Macs now connect to the wireless provided by the Time Capsule and get a good Internet connection?

     

    Or, are you using a different router to provide your wireless service....and the Macs are connected to that wireless signal?  If this is the case, how is the Time Capsule connected to your other router at this time?

     

    On your Mac.....if you open Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility.....can you see a picture of the Time Capsule on the screen?

  • by jswen12354,

    jswen12354 jswen12354 Mar 11, 2016 1:46 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 1:46 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Both are connected to the wireless.  Same net.  TC is the router.  and yes I see the TC on the screen.  BTW, i was trying to take a look at the data and apparently I can't remember the password.  trying to find it now.

     

    J

  • by jswen12354,

    jswen12354 jswen12354 Mar 11, 2016 1:50 PM in response to jswen12354
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 1:50 PM in response to jswen12354

    Bob,

     

    I'm a bit confused on the time capsule versus the airport extreme.  i assume they are one and the same.  i'm trying to back up to the extreme with the time machine function.

     

    J

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 11, 2016 1:53 PM in response to jswen12354
    Level 10 (105,055 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 11, 2016 1:53 PM in response to jswen12354

    There are several possible passwords on the TC.  To see them.....

     

    Open AirPort Utility

    Click on the Time Capsule icon

    Click Edit in the smaller window that appears

    Click the Base Station menu........at the uppermost top of the Mac's screen where the other menus hang out.....like File, Window, Edit, Help, etc

    Click Show Passwords

     

    You probably set up the TC with a password for the wireless network

    You may have also set up a Base Station.....or device password.....and that is what you need for Time Machine to access the Time Capsule disk.......unless you also set up an additional Disk Password for that purpose.

     

    Show Passwords.png

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 11, 2016 1:57 PM in response to jswen12354
    Level 10 (105,055 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 11, 2016 1:57 PM in response to jswen12354
    I'm a bit confused on the time capsule versus the airport extreme.  i assume they are one and the same.  i'm trying to back up to the extreme with the time machine function.

    An AirPort Extreme is a wireless router only.

     

    A Time Capsule is an AirPort Extreme with built in hard drive.

     

    If you open AirPort Utility, you can easily see whether you have an AirPort Extreme or a Time Capsule by looking just under the picture of the device.

  • by jswen12354,

    jswen12354 jswen12354 Mar 11, 2016 1:57 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 1:57 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob,

     

    I can open the utility but when I click on the base station.  The dropdown is not clickable.

     

    J

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 11, 2016 2:04 PM in response to jswen12354
    Level 10 (105,055 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 11, 2016 2:04 PM in response to jswen12354

    I think you are not looking at the very top of the Mac's screen.....as I  instructed.

    Shift the focus of your eyes to the very top of your computer screen. Ignore the info in the center of the screen.

    Look for the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen

    The menus are to the right of the Apple icon

    Click on the Base Station menu. In the illustration below, the Base Station is highlighted in Blue.  Click on the image to enlarge it if needed.

     

    Show Passwords.png

  • by jswen12354,

    jswen12354 jswen12354 Mar 11, 2016 2:03 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 2:03 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    That is exactly what I was doing.  The drop down is gray and non responsive.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 11, 2016 2:10 PM in response to jswen12354
    Level 10 (105,055 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 11, 2016 2:10 PM in response to jswen12354

    Then, you missed a step.  Probably the "Edit" step.  "Show Passwords" will not be active unless you click Edit first.

     

    Open AirPort Utility

    Click on the Time Capsule

    Click Edit in the smaller window that appears

    Click the Base Station menu at the top of the screen

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 11, 2016 2:30 PM in response to jswen12354
    Level 10 (105,055 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 11, 2016 2:30 PM in response to jswen12354

    Screen Shot 2016-03-11 at 4.28.00 PM.png