Q: time capsule firmware update

An apple article is there : Update the software on your AirPort base station - Apple Support

Plug the charger & open air port utility via spotlight hold option key & don't release it > double click on base station > a window appears in front of version an option will be there update , so click on it .

Wait for while , the system will be restarted and  let the process be completed .you can view that firmware is updated .

One thing to try. If not already, be sure that your iMac is connected to the base station by Ethernet, and then, try using the AirPort Utility to update the firmware.

As an alternative, if you are still not able to download the firmware, there is an option to manually download it for installation.

Please let us know if you would like to try this and need step-by-step instructions on how to do so. There is a specific firmware version for each base station model, so it would be critical to know the exact Product ID of your base station to proceed with this method. Note: The base station's Product ID is a three digit number. It is NOT the same as its Model #.

For example the number you referenced, 73300.1 is the base station's firmware version. This also correlates to version 7.3.3. However, I'm not aware that version was ever available from Apple. There was a 7.3.1 & 7.3.2, but then the next in the series was 7.4.1. Regardless, there are a number of base stations that could use this firmware, so again if you want to try this route, we would need the base station's Product ID. We can help you find it if you need assistance doing so.

It will be important to get the exact Product ID for your base station as the firmware versions that you can download are specific.

To find your base station's Product ID, just do the following:

• Run the AirPort Utility, select the base station, and then, select Edit.
• On the Utility's menu bar, select File > Export Configuration File…
• Leave the default values for the "Save As" & "Where" fields. Optionally, you can change them as desired.
• Once you make any changes/choices, select Save.

• The exported configuration file, by default, will be named: <Save As name>.baseconfig
• Look for the following key:

<key>syAM</key>

  <string>TimeCapsule6,116</string>

  <key>syAP</key>

  <integer>116</integer>

, where syAP is the Product ID of the base station.

Please post back the Product ID that you found.

For example the number you referenced, 73300.1 is the base station's firmware version.

Hi Tesserax!

Just a thought here, as it sounds like the OP has an 802.11ac version of the Time Capsule, and he may have meant to say that the firmware version is 77300.1, which would normally display as 7.7.3.

It would not be possible for the 802.11ac version of the Time Capsule to use any firmware that was not 77x.....

Now, if this not the 802.11ac version, and it is a very old Time Capsule, it is possible that it might have been shipped with 7.3.2 firmware and never updated.  You are correct that there never was a 7.3.3 version and that the next version after 7.3.2 was 7.4.1.

You can open it with TextEdit from your Mac, as follows:

• Right-click on the .baseconfig file.
• Then choose Open With > Other...
• From the Choose Application window, search for TextEdit.
• Select TextEdit, and then, select Open.
• The file should now be open in the TextEdit editor.
• From the TextEdit menu bar, select Edit > Find > Find...
• Enter syAM in the Find window. Once you do, the first instance of syAM should now be highlighted.
• Look at the value between <integer> & </integer>, this should be the Product ID and is a three digit number.

What did you find for this value?

As always thanks for your insight Bob. It certainly can go either way. I guess we'll find out for sure when the OP provides the Product ID number.

Thank you. You verified that you do have the 1st generation 802.11ac Time Capsule.

The following is the direct download link for version 7.7.7

The download file size should be: 7892120

• If you select the link above, you should be taken to the Apple website to start the download. Once completed the downloaded file will be placed in your default Downloads folder on your Mac.
• Once the file has downloaded has completed, verify that the firmware file size matches what I provided above. You can do this by right-clicking on the file, and then, select Get Info. Size will be listed under the General section.
• Now, in the AirPort Utility, select the base station that you want to upgrade.
• Hold down the option key, and then, select the current firmware version number. You should now have a list of available firmware and an "Other..." option.
• Select the Other... option. This will open a Finder window to allow you to locate the firmware file that you just downloaded. Again, by default, it should be located in your Downloads folder.
• Select the firmware file.
• Click Open in the Finder screen. You will get a warning dialog.
• At this point, you can select either Continue to upgrade the firmware or Cancel to abort the upgrade process.
• Once the upgrade has finished, you should check to see that the AirPort Utility now shows the upgraded firmware version.

• Hold down the option key, and then, select the current firmware version number. You should now have a list of available firmware and an "Other..." option.
• Select the Other... option. This will open a Finder window to allow you to locate the firmware file that you just downloaded. Again, by default, it should be located in your Downloads folder.

These two steps would allow you to access the file that you downloaded.  You need to hold down the option key on your Mac's keyboard, and then, click on the current version number found in the AirPort Utility.

In the image below, mine is 7.7.7. You want to hold down the option key & click on where I highlighted it. You will notice that the number will both highlight itself and provide a mini drop down menu.

From this drop down menu, choose Other...

Then just follow the rest of the steps.