Q: I changed to a new internet service.  How do I connect my Time  Capsule to the new service?

Whenever you change the modem, or change Internet service providers, the Time Capsule will need to be reset back to factory default settings and then set up from scratch again......just like you did the first time that you set up the Time Capsule.

If you are not sure how to do this, post back with the following information:

1) Make and model number of the new modem

2) What device you will be using to set up the Time Capsule again. If it is a Mac, we need to know what operating system that the Mac is using

Did you replace the modem along with the service?

Was your old modem also a router?

Did you get a new modem router or just a modem?

If you made no change in architecture of the network.. ie you went from one brand of modem router to a different modem router. (These are also known as gateways and have wireless plus 4 ethernet ports).

Then really all you should need to do is plug the TC in via ethernet cable and power cycle the TC. It should work exactly as it previously did.

If there is any change of architecture.. ie from modem router to pure modem or visa versa you must factory reset and reconfigure the TC.. which will also mean fixing up the TC destination in Time Machine on the computer.

Here is my recommendation for any major network change.. or even a minor one if the simple power cycle of everything fails.

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 you want to use for TM using Airport Utility.

1. Use very short names.. NOT APPLE RECOMMENDED names. No spaces and pure alphanumerics.

eg TCgen5 for basestation and TCwifi wireless name.

 

If the wireless is still a problem set wireless names like TC24ghz and set the 5ghz to different name.. eg.TC5ghz

 

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.

 

**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.

 

Ignore this point if you don't understand it .. post back if you have drop out issues.

 

4. Make sure IPv6 is set correctly in the computer. ie link-local only for ethernet and/or wireless depending on which you use. Auto is not good enough.

Billions of Blue Blistering Barnacles

Beaten by Bob