Time Capsule conectivity issue with Windows 7

To start, can you access the Time Capsule (TC) using AirPort Utility for Windows from your PC? Did the issue start after updating the TC to firmware version 7.6.7?

If you haven't already, be sure to temporarily disable the Windows 7 software firewall.

When attempting to access the TC from the AirPort Utility is your PC connected to the network by Ethernet or by wireless? If by Ethernet, do you know if the Ethernet portion of your network is configured to use jumbo frames? That is, the MTU value is set to 9000+?

Finally, do you have your network configured for IPv6 Link-local only?

Let's double-check to see that the AirPort Utility for Windows is properly installed on your PC.

For Windows 7, the AirPort Utility for Windows will have two applications listed in Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Uninstall or change a program: 1) AirPort & 2) Bonjour

• Move or delete the following file from the C:\Windows\System32 folder: dnssd.dll (Note: This is the Bonjour Client Library and is required by the AirPort Utility. If this file is missing would be the main reason you are unable to get the utility to recognize the base station without having to enter its IP address. However, even if is present, it may not be properly registered in the Windows Registry. That is, as far as Windows is concerned, it doesn't exist.)
• Download the AirPort Utility for Windows installer.
• Run the installer using "Run as administrator" privileges. (Note: If you get the option to Repair or Uninstall, choose the Uninstall option. Allow the uninstall process to complete. The Bonjour application should now be missing in the Apps & features listing.)
• If you didn't get the Repair/Uninstall dialog window, then let the installer install AirPort for Windows in its default folder.

Since you stated that you can connect a Mac to the TC we know that, at a minimum, that it is working. What is unusual, as you already know, is why none of your Windows-based PCs can connect to it.

Let's use any of your PCs as a "test" device. We will want to start by temporarily disabling IPv6 and see if that PC can now access the TC without having to enter an IP address.

To disable IPv6, just do the following:

• Start > Network > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter setting
• Right-click on the appropriate connection, and then, select Properties
• On the Network tab, uncheck the "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" option.

If this does not solve the problem, you can re-enable it by using the same steps expect you will want to check on that option instead.

Something else that comes to mind ...

Windows can sometimes be a bit finicky with naming conventions. I suggest the following with your TC:

Do not include spaces or special characters in either the TC's base station name or wireless network name.

As an example, if you were using: "My TimeCapsule%" for the base station name and "Th3s is m& Secr3t $assword," change them to something like: MyTC and Th3sismySecr3tPassword, respectively.

I tried doing a hard reset, but the light doesn't start to blink in orange - weather I do the soft or hard reset.

If you haven't yet, try doing a "factory default" reset instead of either a soft or hard one. This reset will NOT affect any data stored on the TC's internal hard drive and will bring the TC back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration. Which is a wireless Internet router that will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a network name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN. With this type of reset, the TC's LED status light should now be flashing amber/orange.

That would be normal as it would be telling you that additional configuration steps are still required, like wireless security. You should now be able to access the TC using the AirPort Utility for Windows.