If you’re one of the many who purchased a 2008 model Time Capsule and have had problems with it, Apple has some good news for you: You can now get it repaired or even replaced free of charge, and if you’ve already paid to have it fixed, you could have some money coming back to you.
AppleInsider is reporting that Apple has updated a support document entitled “Time Capsule: Does not power on” concerning the Time Capsule model sold between February and June, 2008. Units with serial numbers in the XX807XXXXXX to XX814XXXXXX range “may not power on or may shut down unexpectedly after starting up.”
Whether you have experienced the issue or not, if your device is in the serial number range above, you may now be eligible for free repair or replacement. All that’s required is having an Apple Authorized Service Provider first confirm that your hardware is indeed affected. If your Time Capsule is chock full of valuable data, customers in the U.S. or Japan can contact Apple and arrange for mail-in service with a three to five day turnaround.
"This program covers affected Time Capsule models for 3 years from their original date of purchase," the support document explains. "Apple will continue to evaluate the service data and will provide further updates to the program if needed."
If you’ve already paid to have your 2008 Time Capsule repaired, you could be eligible for a refund on that service -- just contact Apple to inquire.
AppleInsider notes that they have been following these Time Capsule issues, which first cropped up with user complaints back in July, 2009. At the time, there was speculation that a faulty internal power supply was to blame, although Apple isn’t confirming that is actually the case.
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freddietheone
July 13, 2010 at 1:03am
In the UK I offer a repair service for TC users who are stranded, when their units die. Only a majority of the failures are within the narrow range of S/Ns listed by Apple. My own unit was way outside and I was left high and dry by Apple as it was out of warranty; "tough luck".
The TC runs too hot. To be succinct:
1. There is no air inlet for the internal cooling fan.
2. The fan points the wrong way and NOT into the hot-running power supply unit.
3. The fan comes on only meaningfully when the TC is too hot. The fan merely circulate internal boiling hot air rather like a fan-assisted oven.Only a redesign will make this device run cool. Apple already provide the internal parts, I merely reconfigure them to work correctly. Cool electronics lasts longer than hot. This is a simple FACT.
I have many delighted customers whose TCs are back from the dead and all their data is safe and accessible again. A REPLACEMENT Time Capsule allows all your data to be scrapped, from an internal hard drive that usually has no fault condition. My charges are modest as I do not do this for a living but as a SERVICE to you fellow Apple users. I am busy!
Regards, CF, YORK, UK
SpaceTrucker
July 12, 2010 at 1:47pm
I had an Airport Extreme from the same era and had a problem with it, when I took it back, I purchased a new Extreme as I cannot be without Internet that long for them to send it back for a replacement. I will admit though, AppleCare warranty helped in that issue though… Still I had to drive 50 miles round trip 2x to get it done, which should have been compensated as well.
floyd923
July 12, 2010 at 7:17am
Apple's policy is that they will do NO data transfer. So if your Time Capsule fails like mine did, they will be happy to replace it free of charge, but the data on the drive will be destroyed (which they cheerfully state that they follow HIPPA guidelines). That's great, and I'm glad you follow HIPPA guidelines, but what about my data! Ultimately, I decline the replacement, took the unit home and had to disassemble it myself. Pulled all my data off the physical HDD, then put it back together and went back in for my replacement. I would not suggest this as it voids the warranty, and you then have a high probability of not having it replaced. So the simple answer, take care of this before your Time Capsule bites the dust! Its becoming a sad time when we have to back-up our back-up data.
