Is My Time Capsule Dying?

Discussion in 'Mac Accessories' started by jason.siegel, Jun 17, 2013.

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  1. jason.siegel, Jun 17, 2013

    jason.siegel macrumors 6502

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    #1
    I have a Comcast 20 Mbps cable Internet plan and noticed recently that my download speed had dropped to 2 Mbps. I called Comcast and we figured out (by hard-wiring from the modem to my Air via a Thunderbolt adapter) that the problem was not my Internet service but rather my Time Capsule. It's a first-generation and I am thinking that perhaps its wireless signal is dying. Is there some way to confirm this? Is there a way to know that it is my Time Capsule rather than my Air's wireless, without taking my laptop elsewhere to check the speed? And if it is my Time Capsule, is there some way to fix it so I don't have to throw it out? Thanks.
     
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  2. jason.siegel, Jun 17, 2013
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2013

    jason.siegel thread starter macrumors 6502

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    #2
    I figured out that the problem is interference (I recently moved), and by switching the Time Capsule to 5ghz only, my Air now has good wifi speed. However, my iPhone 4S cannot pick up the 5ghz signal. Is there some solution for this?
     
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  3. AlphaDogg, Jun 17, 2013

    AlphaDogg macrumors 68040

    AlphaDogg

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    #3
    Have you tried broadcasting just at 2.4GHz?
     
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  4. jason.siegel, Jun 17, 2013

    jason.siegel thread starter macrumors 6502

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    #4
    Yes, same slow 2 Mbps speed.
     
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  5. ColdCase, Jun 17, 2013

    ColdCase macrumors 68030

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    #5
    You have tried a different channel right?
     
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  6. jason.siegel, Jun 17, 2013

    jason.siegel thread starter macrumors 6502

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    #6
    Just automatic. I should try each individually?
     
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  7. ColdCase, Jun 18, 2013

    ColdCase macrumors 68030

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    #7
    Setting the TC (or any airport) manually to another channel has helped many here. Pick a channel that you don't think a neighbor is using. There are a few apps around that can scan and then tell you which channels are not being used.
     
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  8. rivettmj, Jun 18, 2013

    rivettmj macrumors member

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    #8
    The current versions of OS X have it built in as well.

    Link

    The result will be a table that shows you signal strength and channel number, for the 2.4ghz there are only three that you should pick from 1,6, and 11 you can pick the others... but they overlap, and you'll have the interference from both! Look at the table and pick the channel that has the fewest devices on it. It might also be easier to just do a speed test (www.speedtest.net is nice) on the three different channels and see if any work better

     
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  9. jason.siegel, Jun 18, 2013

    jason.siegel thread starter macrumors 6502

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    #9
    I'll try that, thanks.

    Isn't the point of Automatic to auto-select the best channel?
     
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  10. jason.siegel, Jun 18, 2013

    jason.siegel thread starter macrumors 6502

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    #10
    There are 9 signals on channel 1, 10 signals on channel 6, and 6 signals on channel 11. (I live in a large apartment complex.)

    I switched to channel 6 and still got very poor data speeds.

    Any more thoughts?
     
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  11. djc6, Jun 18, 2013

    djc6 macrumors 6502a

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    #11
    I'm in a similar situation. I have a 1st Gen Airport on 5Ghz but needed a 2.4Ghz network for a couple iPhones. I ended up getting an airport express and using that to create a 2.4Ghz network - its wired to my time capsule. It has the added benefit of being hooked up to my stereo, so now I have AirPlay capabilities! Seemed cheaper/more flexible than buying a newer TC capable of being on 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz simultaneously.
     
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  12. NogbadTheBad, Jun 20, 2013

    NogbadTheBad macrumors regular

    NogbadTheBad

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    #12
    Create two wifi networks one at 2.4 Ghz and one at 5Ghz, its what I do.
     
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