+ 0 likes

Apple Time Capsule Network Hard Drive

...

to the computer (endlessly flashing amber light). Once we finally got a green light (not really sure how), the computer refused to connect to it (incorrect password). This problem was ultimately traced to passwords which had somehow magically changed entirely on their own. Once we figured out what the changed passwords (hidden in a preference file) were, we were finally able to connect to the Time Capsule. However, Apple's Time Machine software still refused to backup to the device. Not sure how that was resolved since it really just started working on it's own (don't remember doing anything different than the many previous attempts). Once it was finally working, we didn't dare touch it again. Sadly, that nightmare was repeated once again after a recent move to a new house. First, could do nothing until the internet was turned on in the new house. Luckily, the computer didn't crash (requiring recovery from the backup) during that period. Afterwards, the thing first refused again to connect to the computer, followed by the software on the computer refusing to connect to it. After several hours of tweaking with the various settings, we finally had everything working again. All of this obviously doesn't bode well for using the Time Capsule as a backup device. If this thing is so difficult to get working with a fully functioning computer and operating system, I'd hate to imagine how difficult it might be with a marginal hardware and software setup following a serious problem. Even worse, I suspect a virus attack could very easily take out (corrupt or infect) the Time Capsule right along with the primary hard drive. At this point, I really have to compare the Time Capsule to the backup solution on my PC computer. On that computer, Norton Ghost maintains both full and incremental backups on a separate internal hard drive and a second periodic full backup on an external hard drive disconnected most of the time for greater security. Even if the computer fails completely (no functioning operating system), one simply inserts the Norton Ghost CD and restores fully from the most likely reliable backup. Since the external drive is isolated (not connected) during an unlikely virus attack (and Ghost erases the primary drive before installing that backup), this method would even allow relatively easy recovery from a serious virus infection. Furthermore, both Norton Ghost and a backup external hard drive are actually far cheaper than the Time Capsule. By the way, the Time Capsule flatly refused to work with that PC computer. Don't know why and, at this point, don't care. My wife is now researching alternative backup solutions for the Mac (something similar to Norton Ghost) and will be selling Apple's Time Capsule.

+ 0 likes

Apple Time Capsule Network Hard Drive

...

to the computer (endlessly flashing amber light). Once we finally got a green light (not really sure how), the computer refused to connect to it (incorrect password). This problem was ultimately traced to passwords which had somehow magically changed entirely on their own. Once we figured out what the changed passwords (hidden in a preference file) were, we were finally able to connect to the Time Capsule. However, Apple's Time Machine software still refused to backup to the device. Not sure how that was resolved since it really just started working on it's own (don't remember doing anything different than the many previous attempts). Once it was finally working, we didn't dare touch it again. Sadly, that nightmare was repeated once again after a recent move to a new house. First, could do nothing until the internet was turned on in the new house. Luckily, the computer didn't crash (requiring recovery from the backup) during that period. Afterwards, the thing first refused again to connect to the computer, followed by the software on the computer refusing to connect to it. After several hours of tweaking with the various settings, we finally had everything working again. All of this obviously doesn't bode well for using the Time Capsule as a backup device. If this thing is so difficult to get working with a fully functioning computer and operating system, I'd hate to imagine how difficult it might be with a marginal hardware and software setup following a serious problem. Even worse, I suspect a virus attack could very easily take out (corrupt or infect) the Time Capsule right along with the primary hard drive. At this point, I really have to compare the Time Capsule to the backup solution on my PC computer. On that computer, Norton Ghost maintains both full and incremental backups on a separate internal hard drive and a second periodic full backup on an external hard drive disconnected most of the time for greater security. Even if the computer fails completely (no functioning operating system), one simply inserts the Norton Ghost CD and restores fully from the most likely reliable backup. Since the external drive is isolated (not connected) during an unlikely virus attack (and Ghost erases the primary drive before installing that backup), this method would even allow relatively easy recovery from a serious virus infection. Furthermore, both Norton Ghost and a backup external hard drive are actually far cheaper than the Time Capsule. By the way, the Time Capsule flatly refused to work with that PC computer. Don't know why and, at this point, don't care. My wife is now researching alternative backup solutions for the Mac (something similar to Norton Ghost) and will be selling Apple's Time Capsule.

+ 0 likes

Apple Time Capsule Network Hard Drive

...

back-ups will have much smaller data churn and can be quickly performed over the air. When an external hard disk is connected to the Time Capsule, the drive appears as possible target for Time Machine in the System Preferences > Time Machine control panel. Sadly, however, I was not able to cleanly merge an existing Time Machine disk with the Time Capsule--plugging in an existing Time Machine disk into the Time Capsule and running a back-up created a new back-up folder on the disk. With some web searching, I found some complex procedures on how to pull off the conversion but it didn't seem worth the trouble to me so I ignored it. The construction is what you'd expect from Apple--solid, sturdy, clean. The power cord is a 2 prong cable, but no Ethernet cable is included--you'll have to bring your own. The 3 LAN ports are gigabit but I haven't done any performance tests with either the switching speed nor the disk I/O speed. My biggest concern in terms of longevity is heat--heat kills disks, and the Time Capsule is a small, fanless system. On the other hand, it's completely silent, even when the disk is actively reading or writing. Although I am not using it, the wireless and router features are the same as any other AirPort product and configured with the same tool. I have a number of AirPort Expresses around the house for iTunes streaming and it is convenient to see all these devices with a single tool. I took off a star because the price for the 500 GB capacity is a bit weak--and adding $200 to get the 1 TB seems very overpriced. If this were $100 less, it would be a 5 star value. However, it was worth it to me as I have some very critical data on my laptop and it wasn't always getting protected when I needed to plug in the external portable drive. For data integrity, it's worth the price, even if the capacity is a bit low.

+ 0 likes

Apple Time Capsule Network Hard Drive

...

back-ups will have much smaller data churn and can be quickly performed over the air. When an external hard disk is connected to the Time Capsule, the drive appears as possible target for Time Machine in the System Preferences > Time Machine control panel. Sadly, however, I was not able to cleanly merge an existing Time Machine disk with the Time Capsule--plugging in an existing Time Machine disk into the Time Capsule and running a back-up created a new back-up folder on the disk. With some web searching, I found some complex procedures on how to pull off the conversion but it didn't seem worth the trouble to me so I ignored it. The construction is what you'd expect from Apple--solid, sturdy, clean. The power cord is a 2 prong cable, but no Ethernet cable is included--you'll have to bring your own. The 3 LAN ports are gigabit but I haven't done any performance tests with either the switching speed nor the disk I/O speed. My biggest concern in terms of longevity is heat--heat kills disks, and the Time Capsule is a small, fanless system. On the other hand, it's completely silent, even when the disk is actively reading or writing. Although I am not using it, the wireless and router features are the same as any other AirPort product and configured with the same tool. I have a number of AirPort Expresses around the house for iTunes streaming and it is convenient to see all these devices with a single tool. I took off a star because the price for the 500 GB capacity is a bit weak--and adding $200 to get the 1 TB seems very overpriced. If this were $100 less, it would be a 5 star value. However, it was worth it to me as I have some very critical data on my laptop and it wasn't always getting protected when I needed to plug in the external portable drive. For data integrity, it's worth the price, even if the capacity is a bit low.

+ 0 likes

Apple Time Capsule Network Hard Drive

...

back-ups will have much smaller data churn and can be quickly performed over the air. When an external hard disk is connected to the Time Capsule, the drive appears as possible target for Time Machine in the System Preferences > Time Machine control panel. Sadly, however, I was not able to cleanly merge an existing Time Machine disk with the Time Capsule--plugging in an existing Time Machine disk into the Time Capsule and running a back-up created a new back-up folder on the disk. With some web searching, I found some complex procedures on how to pull off the conversion but it didn't seem worth the trouble to me so I ignored it. The construction is what you'd expect from Apple--solid, sturdy, clean. The power cord is a 2 prong cable, but no Ethernet cable is included--you'll have to bring your own. The 3 LAN ports are gigabit but I haven't done any performance tests with either the switching speed nor the disk I/O speed. My biggest concern in terms of longevity is heat--heat kills disks, and the Time Capsule is a small, fanless system. On the other hand, it's completely silent, even when the disk is actively reading or writing. Although I am not using it, the wireless and router features are the same as any other AirPort product and configured with the same tool. I have a number of AirPort Expresses around the house for iTunes streaming and it is convenient to see all these devices with a single tool. I took off a star because the price for the 500 GB capacity is a bit weak--and adding $200 to get the 1 TB seems very overpriced. If this were $100 less, it would be a 5 star value. However, it was worth it to me as I have some very critical data on my laptop and it wasn't always getting protected when I needed to plug in the external portable drive. For data integrity, it's worth the price, even if the capacity is a bit low.