Using Time Machine with a Time Capsule
There's often a bit of confusion about this terminology: Time Machine vs. Time Capsule:
•Time Machine is Apple software that performs backups, to an external HD, a Time Capsule, etc.; and also allows you to browse and restore from them. It comes with Leopard and Snow Leopard, but cannot run on any previous versions of OSX.
•A Time Capsule is Apple hardware that combines a wireless router and hard drive. It can be used for Time Machine backups and/or other data.
Most Time Machine questions & problems are not unique to Time Capsules. For those, or if you don't find what you need here, try one of these:
Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions
Time Machine - Troubleshooting
Contents
QUESTIONS
Q1. How do I set up Time Machine to back up to my Time Capsule?
Q2. How do I set up Time Machine to back up to an Air Disk on my Time Capsule?
Q3. Can I use my Time Capsule for backups AND other data?
Q4. My Time Capsule is too small to back-up my Mac(s). Now what?
Q5. Should I delete backups? If so, how?
Q6. How do I back-up my Time Capsule and/or Air Disk connected to it?
If you don't see your question here, try Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions.
PROBLEMS
If you’ve forgotten your Time Capsule password, or it’s not responding as expected, see this Apple Support article: Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule FAQ.
P1. The Backup disk image could not be created.
P2. Time Machine could not complete . . . sparsebundle could not be accessed. (Error 109).
P3. " . . . Time Machine must create a new backup for you."
P4. "Backup volume could not be mounted."
If you don't see your problem here, try Time Machine - Troubleshooting