Want to erase an old Time Capsule without causing problems!

..MarkPek..

Perhaps run Disk Utility and make use of Erase, could be the better tool for this job?

External drives can be unmounted, all content may be erased; with macOS/Disk Utility.

This may cause problems with the Mac's own system drive, should mix ups occur.

Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/erase-and-reformat-a-storage-device-dskutl14079/20.0/mac/11.0

Confusion may arise given Disk Utility and instructions to use that, with Mac's Drive.

..While satisfactory results can be had with AirPort Utility, to erase Time Capsules..

AirPort Utility User Guide for Mac (Table of Contents) - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/guide/aputility/toc/6.3.9

• How to Securely Erase an Apple Time Capsule - alphr.com

https://www.alphr.com/securely-erase-time-capsule/

A 'reformat' would essentially make the content disappear; but to erase information

from that storage area within an authentic Time Capsule, should take longer and be

the more effective means to fully clear the contents off. (Where the Time Capsule's

original HDD may have been Upgraded to SSD, overwriting Zeros would not work.)

[Multi-pass to ZERO drive, may be bridge too far. A single Zero 'overwrite' can do.]

Erase an AirPort Time Capsule disk - Apple Support

Instructions vary; as would pathways to follow, in any case.. AirPort Utility:

Erase an AirPort Time Capsule in AirPort Utility on Mac - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/guide/aputility/erase-an-airport-time-capsule-ap20913/mac

The main 'User Guide with Table of Contents' covers most ALL levels.

Any external drive could be used as Time Machine backup; however

the original Time Capsule has varied usefulness, as specialized unit.

If you are sure that you don't want any of the data on this Time Capsule (TC), you can erase it by using the AirPort Utility. If you do, you can first archive the data before erasing it.

However, to get to either of these, you will need to be able to access the TC with the AirPort Utility (AU). I'm assuming that you have the TC (temporarily) connected to your new wireless gateway via Ethernet ... and that you are using the AU on your Mac to administer it.

If that is correct:

• Then open the AU, select the TC, and then, select Edit.
• Select the Internet tab. Verify that Connect Using = DHCP
• Select the Wireless tab. Set Network Mode = Off. This will disable the TC's wireless radios.
• Select the Network tab. Set Router Mode = Off (Bridge Mode)
• Select Update and allow the TC to restart.

In this configuration, you should still be able to access the TC & its internal drive. It will not be broadcasting a wireless network so it will not interfere with your new wireless router's network.

Now to erase the TC's internal drive, select the Disks tab, and then, select "Erase Disk..." You can choose whatever level of erasure you deem necessary. However, more than 3 passes would be overkill.

..MarkPek..

Sorry to be one who adds 'the bother' ~ I'm all over the chart on this topic thread.

Not exactly correct in part, and not totally off; by estimation of other opinions.

Some of those links to Apple Support articles, cover 'many vintage' versions.

You could take apart the Time Capsule and remove the internal (original?) HDD

and to avoid that being reused.. choose to Destroy the T.C's storage hard drive.

[AirPort TC models include these numbers: A1470, A1409, A1254, A1302; these

were more common, from low-number Square units, to high-number Tall ones.]

• How to Upgrade Your Time Capsule's Hard Drive | TechRadar (or take it apart?)

//www.techradar.com/how-to/computing/apple/how-to-upgrade-your-time-capsules-hard-drive-1305620

The example shown appears to meet the description of your flat square T.C. unit;

as that vintage came on the scene after 2008. I've had some, incl the Last model.

Other take-aparts may be seen 'among fix-it sites' online.

Basic tool-kit gets you in civilly; include small hand-hammer

and/or larger blacksmith 'trip-hammer' could make it FLAT.

..For those who may not wish to restore Time Capsule..

That said: Yours may not have an easier to replace storage drive.

A 'hammer & screwdriver' reduced to their primal tools, may suffice.

(1) I have since read that it's possible to connect the Time Capsule to my MacBook with an ethernet cable and erase the TC with Disk Utility. But you're saying that's not possible?

If you decide to try this, you will see that the Time Capsule disk will not even appear in Disk Utility, so it will be quite a challenge to erase the Time Capsule disk. Disk Utility is not the right tool for this job.

2) If not, yes, I would love to get instructions on how to set up the Time Capsule for erasing, but I really don't want to have it in any way mess up my new, clean, fast wi-fi network in the house. I don't want to create a new network and I don't want to mess with any current settings.

The Time Capsule needs to create a network so that you can use AirPort Utility to erase the disk, but it will not "mess" with your existing network at all. If you are OK with that, let us know.

Once the erase is complete, you can reset the Time Capsule back to its factory default settings.

Not using Wi-Fi if that is what you are thinking. It can connect to your existing network router using Ethernet, but it still has to be configured and set up again with the correct settings.

You said that you did not want to "mess" with your existing network, so I took that at face value.

Not sure how you want to proceed at this point. We can connect the Time Capsule to your WiFi router using Ethernet and set it up temporarily that way or we can set up the Time Capsule in complete isolation from your existing network.

The upside to the Ethernet set up is that things will be a bit simpler. The downside.....the Time Capsule will be connected to your existing network and I understood that you wanted to avoid that.

Disk Utility is not the right tool for a Time Capsule, so no sense in trying to use that.

Here's the rub.......You have to set up the Time Capsule again before you can use AirPort Utility to erase the disk.

Do you need instructions for a temporary set up of the Time Capsule?

Once you have the Time Capsule set up again.....

Open AirPort Utility

Click on the picture of the Time Capsule

Click Edit in the smaller window that appears

Click the Disks tab at the top of the next window

Click Erase

In the next window that appears, choose the Zero Out Data option, which is a secure erase. (The default of Quick Erase is not secure).

Click Erase

Allow 6-8 for the erase to complete.