Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Time Capsule died :(
- Thread starter Xenious
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Apple has redeemed themselves
My time capsule died but....i called them and they replaced it eventhough i don't have apple care. I am amazed and i have a confession. I was a PC guy up until march of last year and then i bought everything mac included the dreaded time capsule. it died last week and after reading this forum i felt sick how could i have missed all this retoric about how apple shrinks from doing the right thing before i spent so much money...so i piled on and signed my dead capsule up to the site too. I was wrong to trash them...apple is replacing a bad product. They rushed out a great idea and it needed more work--now they are doing the right thing apparently not publicly though. I suspect if you go my route you need to give them details about the item and you'll have to swap the bad for good. Good luck.
My time capsule died but....i called them and they replaced it eventhough i don't have apple care. I am amazed and i have a confession. I was a PC guy up until march of last year and then i bought everything mac included the dreaded time capsule. it died last week and after reading this forum i felt sick how could i have missed all this retoric about how apple shrinks from doing the right thing before i spent so much money...so i piled on and signed my dead capsule up to the site too. I was wrong to trash them...apple is replacing a bad product. They rushed out a great idea and it needed more work--now they are doing the right thing apparently not publicly though. I suspect if you go my route you need to give them details about the item and you'll have to swap the bad for good. Good luck.
Mc343ll/a
I just purchased the latest part number to replace the first generation one that died on me a couple of weeks ago.
I wouldn't hold my breath on Apple having solved the issue with failures.
It would be great to see a tear down video and analysis from ifixit.com
But so far as I know, the change has to do with the antenna.
Also, there are some known issues with the guest network during setup.
Basically if you enable guest network during the normal new set up, the device can't been seen in Airport Utility. Now, you can still connect to the device as an access point, but you can't connect to configure it. Confusing I know.
Also, trivial point perhaps, but you need a new version of Airport Utility to set the unit up. So you need to use the install CD that comes with the device. It's a different version of Airport Utility, but labeled "5.5 (550.29)".
What Apple should do is have a secondary connection to the hard drive, such as firewire, so that you can access the data, in the event of a failure elsewhere in the system, e.g. power supply.
Good luck
I just purchased the latest part number to replace the first generation one that died on me a couple of weeks ago.
I wouldn't hold my breath on Apple having solved the issue with failures.
It would be great to see a tear down video and analysis from ifixit.com
But so far as I know, the change has to do with the antenna.
Also, there are some known issues with the guest network during setup.
Basically if you enable guest network during the normal new set up, the device can't been seen in Airport Utility. Now, you can still connect to the device as an access point, but you can't connect to configure it. Confusing I know.
Also, trivial point perhaps, but you need a new version of Airport Utility to set the unit up. So you need to use the install CD that comes with the device. It's a different version of Airport Utility, but labeled "5.5 (550.29)".
What Apple should do is have a secondary connection to the hard drive, such as firewire, so that you can access the data, in the event of a failure elsewhere in the system, e.g. power supply.
Good luck
zippster
macrumors regular
well after posting on this thread and seeing that some people are getting somewhere with apple support i called them this morning.. after a lengthy chat with a support guy he eventually puts me through to a customer services rep.
i then explain the problem and that i have bought pretty much everything mac at least twice in the last 2 years (2x mbp,2x mba,2x iphones etc due to bl00min upgrading) she proceeds to ask me to send her an email with serial numbers etc for proof and she will see how she can resolve this..
i cannot remember her exact words but it was along the lines of "normally we wouldnt do anything but your not a normal customer"
i guess i could take that a number of ways but i choose to take it as an indication that they will replace my dead TC.
who knows.. i will update you guys when i find out 😉
Cheers
Andy..
i then explain the problem and that i have bought pretty much everything mac at least twice in the last 2 years (2x mbp,2x mba,2x iphones etc due to bl00min upgrading) she proceeds to ask me to send her an email with serial numbers etc for proof and she will see how she can resolve this..
i cannot remember her exact words but it was along the lines of "normally we wouldnt do anything but your not a normal customer"
i guess i could take that a number of ways but i choose to take it as an indication that they will replace my dead TC.
who knows.. i will update you guys when i find out 😉
Cheers
Andy..
A trivial reminder, but I believe some items purchased with an American Express card may be eligible for double warranty (2 years vs 1 year) through AmEx.
If you haven't considered this, it may be worth investigating.
If you haven't considered this, it may be worth investigating.
"died" 500G time capsule alive again 🙂
hello
I am the owner of a post coma time capsule, it failed last week with the same simptoms as above, just did not power on. As I purchased in US and now I am in Europe and the waranty expired, I realised that can be an issue. Also the ideea of giving all data to Apple and getting a "blank" new time capsule was not an option either. So, I cut it open, I removed the power supply, I tested it with a voltmeter and as you might guess nothing, no power. So I removed the power supply and took it to an eletronical repair shop, they removed allmost all condensers and one final stabiliser and now it's back online. The issue is the crouded space and the power supply it overheats. So after fitting back the power supply to the capsule, I have placed the heat sensor from the harddrive near the middle of the power supply to ensure that the power supply does not overheat anymore, now the fan starts from 5min to 5min and runs around 3 sec. Considering that the hdd get overheated much more harder than the power supply, that will not be an issue. For any in depth details, please reply.
hello
I am the owner of a post coma time capsule, it failed last week with the same simptoms as above, just did not power on. As I purchased in US and now I am in Europe and the waranty expired, I realised that can be an issue. Also the ideea of giving all data to Apple and getting a "blank" new time capsule was not an option either. So, I cut it open, I removed the power supply, I tested it with a voltmeter and as you might guess nothing, no power. So I removed the power supply and took it to an eletronical repair shop, they removed allmost all condensers and one final stabiliser and now it's back online. The issue is the crouded space and the power supply it overheats. So after fitting back the power supply to the capsule, I have placed the heat sensor from the harddrive near the middle of the power supply to ensure that the power supply does not overheat anymore, now the fan starts from 5min to 5min and runs around 3 sec. Considering that the hdd get overheated much more harder than the power supply, that will not be an issue. For any in depth details, please reply.
jaw04005
macrumors 601
After of years of owning Apple products, this is only product that Ive ever had major problems with.
While my power supply didnt die, the unit was experiencing problems. I would come home and the unit would be flashing orange (signaling a drive error). AppleCare recommended just reformatting the drive costing me to lose all my Time Machine data each time.
After a span of about nine months and six or seven drive resets," I finally ditched mine in January.
Until they make the drive accessible to the end-user (for recovery) and build proper disk utility tools (like repair disk) into AirPort Utility, I would stay away from this product.
While my power supply didnt die, the unit was experiencing problems. I would come home and the unit would be flashing orange (signaling a drive error). AppleCare recommended just reformatting the drive costing me to lose all my Time Machine data each time.
After a span of about nine months and six or seven drive resets," I finally ditched mine in January.
Until they make the drive accessible to the end-user (for recovery) and build proper disk utility tools (like repair disk) into AirPort Utility, I would stay away from this product.
BaronvdB
macrumors 6502
My 500GB TC died this week
Not sure exactly how old but I pretty sure it is in that 18 month range...I have applecare on my MBP so they overnighted me a new TC and it's coming today.....another great reason for applecare. I didn't even realize the TC was covered by the AppleCare on my MBP until the Apple support guy told me...i only called to find out if I was still under warranty (because I couldn't check online with my TC down).
I never noticed the below applecare info:
Comprehensive coverage
The AppleCare Protection Plan also covers the following when you use them with your Mac:
* Included accessories such as the power adapter
* Apple memory (RAM)
* AirPort Express Base Station, AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Time Capsule
* MacBook Air SuperDrive (for MacBook Air only)
ON A POSITIVE NOTE: I was on the verge of needing more space so maybe I'll sell this brand new TC and buy a 1tb version.
Not sure exactly how old but I pretty sure it is in that 18 month range...I have applecare on my MBP so they overnighted me a new TC and it's coming today.....another great reason for applecare. I didn't even realize the TC was covered by the AppleCare on my MBP until the Apple support guy told me...i only called to find out if I was still under warranty (because I couldn't check online with my TC down).
I never noticed the below applecare info:
Comprehensive coverage
The AppleCare Protection Plan also covers the following when you use them with your Mac:
* Included accessories such as the power adapter
* Apple memory (RAM)
* AirPort Express Base Station, AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Time Capsule
* MacBook Air SuperDrive (for MacBook Air only)
ON A POSITIVE NOTE: I was on the verge of needing more space so maybe I'll sell this brand new TC and buy a 1tb version.
Rip
I purchased my Time Capsule from Amazon on April 13, 2008 and it died October 29, 2009; seems like a rather short life for a product advertised to secure your data. Called Apple and received sincere sympathy for my loss.
I purchased my Time Capsule from Amazon on April 13, 2008 and it died October 29, 2009; seems like a rather short life for a product advertised to secure your data. Called Apple and received sincere sympathy for my loss.
zippster
macrumors regular
well im happy to report my faith has been restored with apple.
ive just got back from my genius bar appointment with my local apple store (west quay) and the woman from apple support stuck to her word! i arrived with my dead timecapsule and walked away with a replacement! considering apple didnt have to do anything for my 19 month old TC (and i was prepared to buy another had they not done this) im amazed with the service ive been given.
although the genius's in the store and the sales staff are useless as:-
Genius "so whats the problem... ill read your case"
me " TC is dead and wont power up and on"
Genius " have you tried flashing the firmware? does it smell?
me " it wont power on, no lights no nothing, cant smell a thing"
Genius " ok.. its faulty then ill grab one from out the back" /penny drops
Magic mouse conversation....
ME "do you have any magic mice?"
Sales Guy "nope we have not had any deliveries of them yet, try next week!"
--
then at the front of the shop i find piles of the things!!! (and purchased one after 20 mins of waiting for someone to take my money!)
--
ME "do you have any 27" imac quadcore i5's or i7's instock? or likely to get any soon?"
Sales Guy " i dont know hang on ill ask, erm yeh we have the 27" i5's in stock but there not quadcore...."
Me "Errrm i think your find they are, do you have an i5 then?"
Sales Guy " Ahh ok.. no your better off buying from the online store"
Me" i prefer to buy from a store so i can just walk out with it!"
Sales Guy "well i have no idea when were getting some so if i were you just buy one from the online store"
ME "$%^&% <lost for words> ok thanks bye"
still chuffed with the level of service from apple though.. but i would expect the level of service from the apple stores to be slightly higher then pcworld staff IMHO.
shows that there is light at the end of the capsule after all 😉
Cheers
Andy..
ive just got back from my genius bar appointment with my local apple store (west quay) and the woman from apple support stuck to her word! i arrived with my dead timecapsule and walked away with a replacement! considering apple didnt have to do anything for my 19 month old TC (and i was prepared to buy another had they not done this) im amazed with the service ive been given.
although the genius's in the store and the sales staff are useless as:-
Genius "so whats the problem... ill read your case"
me " TC is dead and wont power up and on"
Genius " have you tried flashing the firmware? does it smell?
me " it wont power on, no lights no nothing, cant smell a thing"
Genius " ok.. its faulty then ill grab one from out the back" /penny drops
Magic mouse conversation....
ME "do you have any magic mice?"
Sales Guy "nope we have not had any deliveries of them yet, try next week!"
--
then at the front of the shop i find piles of the things!!! (and purchased one after 20 mins of waiting for someone to take my money!)
--
ME "do you have any 27" imac quadcore i5's or i7's instock? or likely to get any soon?"
Sales Guy " i dont know hang on ill ask, erm yeh we have the 27" i5's in stock but there not quadcore...."
Me "Errrm i think your find they are, do you have an i5 then?"
Sales Guy " Ahh ok.. no your better off buying from the online store"
Me" i prefer to buy from a store so i can just walk out with it!"
Sales Guy "well i have no idea when were getting some so if i were you just buy one from the online store"
ME "$%^&% <lost for words> ok thanks bye"
still chuffed with the level of service from apple though.. but i would expect the level of service from the apple stores to be slightly higher then pcworld staff IMHO.
shows that there is light at the end of the capsule after all 😉
Cheers
Andy..
Has anyone who's been sent (as opposed to getting one from a Apple Store) a replacement Time Capsule in the last week or so, been sent one of the latest models (with the dual band frequencies) or are Apple clearing out old stock?
The dual band would be handy in my circumstance, but I suppose I'll find out when my replacement arrives.
The dual band would be handy in my circumstance, but I suppose I'll find out when my replacement arrives.
peterdevries
macrumors 68040
I just got home and found my TC dead. I'm on the phone with Apple at the moment. They already admitted that the TC's from the batch that my TC is in had problems... Very interesting. The support guy is talking to second line to see what he can do..
Keep you posted.
Oh yeah.. I bought the thing in April last year...
Keep you posted.
Oh yeah.. I bought the thing in April last year...
BaronvdB
macrumors 6502
I got a replacement last week and it was the same model I already had....i was hoping they gave the newest version as well.
Got a new one
Mine died Tuesday. I called the Apple support line & set up an appointment at the local Apple store.
The tech there knew of the problems, confirmed it wouldn't power up and ordered a replacement for me - oddly under the warranty of the iMac I just purchased.
Not that I'm complaining, but I can't imagine a lot of people just happened to purchase a new machine within 90 days of when their TC would die.
Seemed the local techs - at least this one - know there's a major issue and are doing what they can, however they can, to take care of people.
It would be nice if corporate would follow their lead & step up.
The new TC is up & running.
Kudos to my Genius. Good luck to you all (see you again in 18 months).
Mine died Tuesday. I called the Apple support line & set up an appointment at the local Apple store.
The tech there knew of the problems, confirmed it wouldn't power up and ordered a replacement for me - oddly under the warranty of the iMac I just purchased.
Not that I'm complaining, but I can't imagine a lot of people just happened to purchase a new machine within 90 days of when their TC would die.
Seemed the local techs - at least this one - know there's a major issue and are doing what they can, however they can, to take care of people.
It would be nice if corporate would follow their lead & step up.
The new TC is up & running.
Kudos to my Genius. Good luck to you all (see you again in 18 months).
Diode
macrumors 68020
As a update I talked to the tech support line on Friday and have a replacement TC on the way. I was out of warranty and didn't have Apple Care so if your having problems give them a call!
Add one more to the list
My Time Capsule 1TB bought in april '08 failed a few days ago. Spent some time on tech support cycling the device and resetting it before they determined it's failed. Mine spends a few seconds with the amber light, then when it sounds like the HD is about to spin up it cuts all power and dies.
What's interesting is that now I've discovered a slightly unreliable way to get it to boot back up: I place it upside down and apply slight pressure to the base. I'm beginning to wonder if some kind of heatsink-thingamagig fell off or a connection is loose? Very strange. I'm copying my data off now.
The funny thing is, this method doesn't work 100% of the time. Sometimes it just fails to start completely when i connect power. I still think there's something seriously wrong with it, but I'm not sure if this is the type of problem others are seeing. Anyone else got a dead Time Capsule they can try and reproduce this with?
Just as a side note: the unit was never dropped or mishandled so I'm pretty sure that it can't be a result of user error.
My Time Capsule 1TB bought in april '08 failed a few days ago. Spent some time on tech support cycling the device and resetting it before they determined it's failed. Mine spends a few seconds with the amber light, then when it sounds like the HD is about to spin up it cuts all power and dies.
What's interesting is that now I've discovered a slightly unreliable way to get it to boot back up: I place it upside down and apply slight pressure to the base. I'm beginning to wonder if some kind of heatsink-thingamagig fell off or a connection is loose? Very strange. I'm copying my data off now.
The funny thing is, this method doesn't work 100% of the time. Sometimes it just fails to start completely when i connect power. I still think there's something seriously wrong with it, but I'm not sure if this is the type of problem others are seeing. Anyone else got a dead Time Capsule they can try and reproduce this with?
Just as a side note: the unit was never dropped or mishandled so I'm pretty sure that it can't be a result of user error.
Someone who posted in one of the dead TC threads at Apple Discussions noted two very clearly blown capacitors on the power supply board. Sounds reasonable. I had a DVD player go dark (no power) and found a blown cap on the power board. Added a higher uF cap and it's been rock solid for about 2 years now. For those who know what they are doing and Apple won't replace your dead unit it's worth a shot.
Steve Rocks
My Time Capsule died today, ice cold, 1 day short of exactly 18 months. I called 1-800-my-apple and they will send me a new one free. He also said I can open it and copy the data from the old drive to the new one. Yes it sucks that it only lasted 18 months, but I have to commend Apple for standing behind their products.
My Time Capsule died today, ice cold, 1 day short of exactly 18 months. I called 1-800-my-apple and they will send me a new one free. He also said I can open it and copy the data from the old drive to the new one. Yes it sucks that it only lasted 18 months, but I have to commend Apple for standing behind their products.
this whole time capsule dying situation makes me uneasy about my TC. losing my TM backups doesn't bother me, but losing the other files that i store separately on my TC worries me. it seems illogical to me to have a backup HD for my backup HD (TC).
i was having trouble restoring a backup a while ago so i went to the genius bar, and the dumb genius asked me if it was okay to erase and reformat the TC. i said "um no...that's my backup"
i was having trouble restoring a backup a while ago so i went to the genius bar, and the dumb genius asked me if it was okay to erase and reformat the TC. i said "um no...that's my backup"
Oh and it's dead again
Well as an addon to my previous post, right after I copied everything out of the time capsule, the thing just died. Kaput. Now when I plug it in no light comes on. I must have gotten lucky!
Apple is shipping me a replacement though, so I'm not too unhappy. It lived a good life.
Well as an addon to my previous post, right after I copied everything out of the time capsule, the thing just died. Kaput. Now when I plug it in no light comes on. I must have gotten lucky!
Apple is shipping me a replacement though, so I'm not too unhappy. It lived a good life.
Don't worry too much. If the data is irreplaceable, there are a ton of instructions for opening up the time capsule and taking out the SATA drive, which you can then put on an external drive enclosure that you can pick up for less than $20 most places.
Of course, that voids the warranty...
My solution will be to just have daily backups on there. I think I'm going to use my other 500g for my itunes backups, because that thing is more reliable (and isn't on all the time!)
Whoa, an Apple tech said you can actually open up the time capsule, take out the drive, place it in an external drive enclosure, and copy out your old data? Without voiding the terms of Apple Care/warranty/etc.?
I'd love to see that in official writing from Apple. It would be a really great thing if they allowed these to be opened so users could recover their data before sending it back.
Actually, you know what would be even cooler? Is if they included a free external driver enclosure (that you would send back, naturally) for the process... and also included instructions on how to take out the drive from the dead time capsule.
TumbleDryer
macrumors 603
All the posts about TC dying has scared the shizzle out of me as I bought mine solely to stream my very large iTunes library around the house. I have now had to rush out and buy a back up drive as I am reaching the 18 month marker soon.
If it dies I'll be demanding a new one (hopefully the new model is ok?) from Apple as this is clearly a common fault and the product should not have been on sale.
The thread at Apple Discussions is amazing in that over the 32 pages there must be an average of 5 new dead TCs per page. It literally reads Post 1. Mines dead. Post 2. Mine too. Post 3. Mine died today etc.
Not impressed Apple!
If it dies I'll be demanding a new one (hopefully the new model is ok?) from Apple as this is clearly a common fault and the product should not have been on sale.
The thread at Apple Discussions is amazing in that over the 32 pages there must be an average of 5 new dead TCs per page. It literally reads Post 1. Mines dead. Post 2. Mine too. Post 3. Mine died today etc.
Not impressed Apple!