Is Time Capsule a flaky router?

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We have 3 Aluminum MacBooks that connect perfectly to the internet wirelessly via a 500mg Time Capsule. Time Machine functions are fine and I would like to keep this function.

Our other MacBook is plastic and a bit older. It can receive Skype phone calls through the TC (wirelessly) but it cannot surf the web nor send/receive emails though it CAN do both when we travel and use a random router at a hotel or relative's home. I think the TC is a flaky router.

I have been researching and fighting this problem for months now (on the Apple MacBook forum) and I am ready to move on. Moreover, our iPhones cannot surf via the TC's WiFi nor does Mail work though the connect bars are at maximum.

Please recommend a router we can use in our home which can replace the TC yet still have the TC perform its Time Machine duties.
TIA, Allan
 
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late 08 macbook 2.0 4gig 320hdd10.7.3 32 gig iPhone 4s
Is your TC an "N" if so the iPhone will not work over it as it only handles "G" and that may very well be the issuewith the older MacBook. I believe your tc can just be configured as "G" then all your devices should work.

Hope this helps
clay
 

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What encryption (WEP, WPA, WPA2) are you using on the TC? Are you sure you have the key correct on the white macbook? Also at least with my iPhone 3g, I have with every router with WPA and WPA2, had to add the router SSID and info manually to my iPhone, then it works great.
 
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only 'n' is available (802.11n) - is all lost?

the choices I see for n, g, or b I found after clicking a Time Capsule icon. Then I selected a 'wireless' tab on which was listed 'Radio Mode'. The choices for Radio Mode are 802.11n (802.11 b/g compatible) and 3 other choices which are all 'n' at different speeds (neither b nor g is mentioned).

I seem to be stuck with 'n' and no access for my white MacBook nor iPhones.
!!!???
 

bobtomay

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15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
I use 2 routers, a D-Link DIR-655 and the TC, running two wireless networks.

Have mine setup with the D-Link handling all DHCP duties.
It also runs a 'g' only network for my 'g' devices; iPhones, PS3, etc.
Run the TC in bridged mode with an 'n' only network for my Macs.

edit: You need to select the one you have listed there - that one is b/g compatible and will allow for 'b' and 'g' devices to connect.
 
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Went to the web to see if I could figure this out.... I get back and someone smarter then me is all over it ! :) thank you bob ! Op you Are now in very capable hands.

Clay
 
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The '802.11n (b/g compatible)' does not seem to be 'g' compatible as it says. Oh well - I think I will buy the 'g' router you mention herein but it looks like the white MacBook cannot use the TC for Time Machine duties - that's ok because it is my wife's computer and she hates TM. Thank you.
 

bobtomay

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If Skype is able to connect on the TC, I'd say the network settings are somehow messed up on the MB, not on the TC.

I'd suggest removing all existing networks on the MB, re-boot and then try to add the network.
 
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If you set up your network to run 11n/11g/11b then it will drop to speed of slowest unit, so u can surf on 11n until you connect your iPhone at which point all units are running 11g. Unless u have a dual band Extreme/Express in which case u can do both at once.

For your older plastic MacBook try adding DNS settings per this here.
 
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So let me get this straight, this is what my settings should be Bob:

Internet Connection: Connect Using Ethernet (Westell< Time Capsule)
The Click On Airport
Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network.
Wireless Network Name: Tyler's Wireless
(Do I check 'Allow this network to be extended)?
Radio Mode: Which option: Automatic
.11 a/n-11 b/g
or .11 a- 11 b/g
Radio Channel Selection: Automatic or
Manual

Wireless Security: None (I live on 4.5 acres of land so I'm not worried about that lol)
 

bobtomay

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Here's a couple of screenshots of my setup on the TC.

Internet tab:
20091227-gtwtdyf9yfy4t6mhwtm9744qec.jpg




Airport tab - Wireless
This is a 2nd wireless network, it is not the name of the wireless network on my D-Link.
20091227-kn9n8qcw2gb8y5rsmp4yh5tnbt.jpg


I also use minimum 25 character passwords.

My TC also provides ethernet connection for my HTPC, Blu-Ray, etc in my entertainment center, but all DHCP still handled by the D-Link.
 
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Ok, I think I got it. However my screen caps look a little different than yours. My guess you have the 500gb and I the 1tb? Or do you have the 1TB and we just have different versions? Oh well, anyway.

As you see my screens look a little different, and I don't think I had the option to straight up put 5ghz N only. I did however get to select 5 ghz Tyler wireless as you will see:

screenshot_02-1.jpg

screenshot_01-1.jpg


IN THE PICTURE BELOW I ACTUALLY HAVE UNCHECKED ALLOW THIS NETWORK TO BE EXTENDED!!

screenshot_03a-1.jpg


TO GET TO THE PICTURE BELOW (PHOTO 4) CLICK ON WIRELESS OPTIONS GEARBOX FROM PHOTO 3
screenshot_04-1.jpg
 

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Those pics are WAY too small. Could you upload larger ones?
 
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Those pics are WAY too small. Could you upload larger ones?

Yes I was uploading the correct size ones when you wrote that. I didn't realize at first I had done it as a thumbnail and not a regular size.
 

bobtomay

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Mine is a 1st gen 1TB, looks like they split one of my screens up into two on yours.

Radio Mode is in your 3rd screen shot. I'd select 'n' only, unless you need some 'g' only device to have access.

In that same screen you need to set your wireless security for that network also.
 
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Mine is a 1st gen 1TB, looks like they split one of my screens up into two on yours.

Radio Mode is in your 3rd screen shot. I'd select 'n' only, unless you need some 'g' only device to have access.

In that same screen you need to set your wireless security for that network also.

Yeah when I click on radio mode here are the screens I get:
Automatic
or
802.11a/n- 802.11b/g
or
802.11a- 802.11b/g

Its strange those are the only 3 options. Nothing else. However on my 4th screen I clicked 5Ghz. Hrmmmm...

Also should I really set up a wireless security for the network? The closest house to me is about 300 yards away and I live on 4.5 acres with no one around, that and my driveway is about 100 yards long. Fine Fine, I'm changing the password lol.
 

bobtomay

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Even in that scenario, personally wouldn't take the chance that someone could possibly steal wifi for illegal purposes that would trace back to the IP address assigned to you by your ISP. You just never know any more. And 40 years ago I never even locked the door to my house or my car.

Guess Automatic should do then. Any newer Mac is going to be using 'n'.
 
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Even in that scenario, personally wouldn't take the chance that someone could possibly steal wifi for illegal purposes that would trace back to the IP address assigned to you by your ISP. You just never know any more. And 40 years ago I never even locked the door to my house or my car.

Guess Automatic should do then. Any newer Mac is going to be using 'n'.

You are right...
But should I go with automatic like you said or just leave it
.11a/n-.11b/g?

I was thinking that because a/n is the first one it may use the n more lol. I have the Macbook pro before Aluminum and black keys came out. Oh well. Seems to be working good EVEN with the WPA/WPAN Password set... and my BlackBerry connected to that password just fine. I feel accomplished lol.
 
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SOLUTION FOUND!
I retrieved DNS info from a nearby city and but the data into my settings and the white MacBook was surfing like a fool in Waikiki! Big thanks, Allan
 

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