Time capsule as External bootable drive

Question

Time capsule as External bootable drive

I have an iMac which I cannot log into after trying to install High Sierra. I don't want to wipe the hard disk as there are files I do not have backed up (FileVault is enabled)

I have tried Recovery OS to reinstall Sierra, I have tried install by using a bootable USB Key with Sierra. Nothing seems to be working.

I thought I could install Sierra onto an external drive, boot from that and then access the internal drive to recover the files. So I am trying to use a new 3TB Time Capsule for this, connected using an Ethernet cable. Booted the iMac into recovery OS to try to install Sierra , but I cannot see the new drive.

Is this because a Time Capsule cannot be used in this way, or am I doing something wrong?

VIN, iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), macOS Sierra (10.12.6), New 3TB Time Capsule

Posted on Nov 18, 2017 8:42 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 18, 2017 11:47 AM in response to Niel

Thanks Niel. I looked in the disk utility before, but I could not see the Time Capsule as a new disk drive. Is it possible that you need to connect via USB rather than Ethernet to do this?

Please note, this is a brand new Time Capsule which I have never used before so I have not run any type of set up/configuration.

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Answer 2

DonH49

Level 6

16,704 points

Nov 18, 2017 1:14 PM in response to Richard Ralph

can't do it that way but (I don't think you want to try this) you 'd have to remove the drive and connect it to your Mac then you can use disk Utility on it and place it back into TC. My guess is may boot but I don't think you'd able to do an internet install of system. you'd have to do it while drive was out of TC.

interesting question you posed. I have erased a drive by removing it from a TC older model but never tried the TC tower. I did not try a os install and boot though.

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