Airport express base station too old?

I keep intermittently losing my wifi connection with my Macbook Pro. However, my iPhone and my iPad have no problems jumping on the wifi connection.
I have an XBridgeDSL ethernet router modem which is paired with an Airport Express base station and both of them are about 13 or 14 years old. I installed Mavericks when it came out, everything seemed fine, but am wondering if it was a step too far for my poor old kit.
I can get wired connection with the computer no problem, and right now I've managed to get Wi-fi - but it randomly disappears, and the network doesn't show up in the list of available networks.
I've just run Airport Utility and it finally showing my base station, but says it doesn't support it.
Am I having these problems because my base station is too old now?
I don't really want to incurr any unnecessary expense of buying new kit if I don't need to...
At the moment I have to switch between wired and wifi depending on which device I want to use which isn't great.
Any further advice or tips would be great.
Best
Heather

Hi,
Yes, that's exactly the same message I got with my base station (but in English). This has worked for me:
-Disconnect from wifi
-Moved computer very close to the router
-Place ethernet cable from router modem to computer, connect to internet wired.
-Left it for a few hours, then put the ethernet cable back into the airport express
-After about 20 mins I went back to the computer and noticed it was connected to wifi again
-Haven't turned it off since so OK so far
-Found a new internet supplier who will supplier a wireless router modem free of charge and signed up. I just have to hang on till 11th Jan!
Slightly unorthodox perhaps, but it's worked
Good luck with yours, my feeling is that my Apple base station is now too old and no longer supported. Also I suspect I'll get better internet download speeds with the new router modem, currently only getting 4000mbs compared to a possible 120,000mbs in our area, and my upload speed is about 0.4mbs.
H

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Airport express base station A1034

hi all
I bought a used airport express base station, the old one, because I love it's style, but I have a problem. I don't know how to setup my internet connection, how to even configure my router.
I tried to install the software, but it gives me a message saying that "the software on your mac is a newer version". well I started the 'AirPort Utility' and found the router, but after one hour waiting to 'retrieve the configuration from the router' I've got an error message that 'cannot retrieve the configuration'!!! Now I don't know what should I do. I started thinking about the 'enabler' software, but I'm not sure it will help.
by the way, I have a DSL connection via the PHONE!! my router is speedtouch. there is a port which I connect a phone like cable to it. and then it connects to the internet. how to do the same thing in the airport express?!?!?! there is a WAN port which says connect to DSL or ... , but my DSL is over the phone not WAN.
any help would be great.
thanks in advance

If you have a speedtouch router then you only need to use the airport base station as a wireless access point and switch.
First off I would reset your base station to factory defaults. see Resetting the AirPort Base Station (Dual Ethernet) or Resetting the AirPort Base Station (Graphite)
Then connect the base station to one of the network ports on your speedtouch router using a cat5 network cable.
Then connect your mac to one of the network ports on the base station. Then run the Airport Utiltiy in your Utilities folder.
Then you can use the assistant.

I want to re-use my old airport express base station but airport utility doesn't recognise it anymore (it dates from 2005) i would like to use it to connect to my speakers only

I have an old airport express base station from 2005
I would like to have a network on it so i can put it upstairs in a room and connect my speakers to it so i can send my music (from itunes) over the airport to my speakers.
I reset it and now i want to configure but the Airport utility doesn't recognise it anymore.
Can i update the firmware? has it become useless because too old or what can i do?
I work on macbook pro with macOSX 10.9.4
Can someone give me some tips please
thanks
J

Please locate the model number on the side of the AirPort Express. Hard to see.....gray lettering on a white background....so you may likely need a magnifying glass and good lighting to see it.
The model number starts with a "A" followed by four numbers. If you see A1084 or A1088, unfortunately AirPort Utility 6.x in Mavericks OS X (10.9.4) does not support these older models. However, you can still administer these models if you have a Mac.....or can borrow one for a few minutes....using Leopard (10.5.x) or Snow Leopard (10.6.x), or a PC with AirPort Utility installed on the device.

AirPort Express Base Station sticks out too far (Solution)

Hi all,
I don't know if this comes up very often in this forum but a problem with having the Airport Express Base Station plug directly into the wall is that it sticks out too far, IMO.
I have one hooked up in my bedroom so I can play music over a BOSE Wave Radio. I have two possible power outlets to plug it into. One is next to the bed. There is about 18 inch gap between the bed and the wall. I don't want the device there because I may bump into it while making up the bed. The other place is behind the dresser. However, this spot would make me have to pull out the dresser a little too far from the wall than I would like. Behind the dresser is preferred because it is the closest outlet to the radio.
Solution: I went to a local hardware store and found a six socket mini power strip that plugs directly into the wall. Here in the US, our power outlets have two sockets lined up vertically. This device plugs into both sockets. The top plug has all three prongs. The bottom one only has one ground prong. Each side has three 3-hole sockets. The sockets on one side are upside down.
With this mini power strip, I can plug the Airport Express Base Station into the side of the strip such that the side of the base station is almost against the wall. Now, I can have my dresser very close to the wall. There is a very small gap between the base station and the wall and dresser to allow it to breathe.
I also plan on using more of the these mini power strips behind other pieces of furniture so that the furniture no longer pushes against power cords sticking out of other outlets. The one downside is that this mini power strip won't handle wide transformer based adapters.
I hope this tip helps others.
Enjoy life!
Steven

See the original message.

Airport Express Base Station and HP Laserjet 1020 printer connected

Dear all,
I have a Laptop (PC) Sony Vaio PCG-Z1XSP and an Airport Express Base Station which work perfectly together (internet access and I-tunes). I recently bought a printer HP Laserjet 1020 and connected it to the Airport Express USB soket. I managed to make it work and print a couple of times, but as soon as I turn off the printer or the computer or Airport Express, the next time I want to print, it doesn't work anymore.
The Airport Admin Utility recognises the printer (I can see it listed). I have updated the Airport Express software to the Firmware version 6.3 as well as downloaded the latest driver available on HP's website for my printer. I've also substituted the USB cable. Can anybody help me here? Thank you very much and best regards.

Hallo everybody,
Thanks for all the answers. I have contacted HP's chat online and gone through the problem with 3 different technicians. I've tried a lot myself too. The issue was partially solved by restarting the printer spooler, i.e. stop, then start and then restart it.
However after I was so happy that the printer worked, I turn off everything. When I turn on again, it was not working anymore. Then I tried to see by exclusion what the problem is, I had to restart the Hardwar I don't know how many times.
Conclusion:
1. The USB cable must be plugged into the airport express before turning on anything.
2. Turn on the printer first.
3. Turn on the airport express and the computer.
4. If you try to print it doesn't work, even if you reset the airport express through the airport express utility software. The printer is recognized and appears in it though.
5. Disconnect the USB cable from the airport express and connect it to the PC directly.
6. Print a document.
7. Disconnect the cable and reconnect it to the airport express.
8. Now you should be able to print wireless. You may need to reset the airport expresst with the utility softwar, but I managed to print without having to do it.
9. The pörinter works even if you turn off and on again the computer, or you suspend the windows session and restart it, or if you put it in standby and restart it.
10. The printer works even if you turn off the airport express and the computer, or the airport express alone and restart them/it.
11. The printer doens't work anymore if you turn it off and onn again. In such a case you have to plug in/out as discribeb above.
Solution: Leave the printer always on, or make the plug in/out every morning when you start the computer and print one page direclty before being able to print wireless.
Does anybody have a solution to this problem? I mean it prints, but it is annoying to plug in/out every day, no?
HP's technician says that it is not a recommanded solution the HP Laserjet 1020 with the airport express, since the printer works on a host based server basis... I mean it is easy to say that, but one expects to buy a printer that works always and not to have to plug in/out everyday, restart spooler and so on.
Can anybody comment or suggest anything I can do to avoid this? Thank you and I hope this helps others too.

Airtunes with Airport Express Base Station stopped working for no reason

Hello,
I used to play music through AirTunes with no problem. I have an Airport Express Base Station and I'm connected to it with an Airport Extreme Card built-in my iBook G4. When I came home after day at work (with the iBook, which is connected in there to wireless access point but not Apple), Airtunes is not working. Also I can not see my (not closed network) Base Station in Airport Admin Utility, internet connection is still working fine. If I connect to the Base Station by pressing button Other, manually type IP of Base Station I can connect to it and administrate it. Airtunes is allowed there, in iTunes too but it is just not working, I don't know about anything that could has been changed. I think nothing has. AppleTalk is runnig only on Airport card. Thank anyone for any advice. I tried to update firmware in the Base Station today and no software update is available.
I created log /var/log/all.log (.), when I reconnect to the network I can see this there:
May 31 17:37:07 jz-iBook kernel[0]: AirPort: Link DOWN (Client disAssoc 0)
May 31 17:37:02 jz-iBook configd[59]: AppleTalk shutdown
May 31 17:37:02 jz-iBook configd[59]: AppleTalk shutdown complete
May 31 17:37:02 jz-iBook launchd: Server 0 in bootstrap 1103 uid 0: "/usr/sbin/lookupd"[248]: exited abnormally: Hangup
May 31 17:37:02 jz-iBook configd[59]: posting notification com.apple.system.config.network_change
May 31 17:37:02 jz-iBook configd[59]: hostname (multicast DNS) = jz-iBook
May 31 17:37:04 jz-iBook lookupd[352]: lookupd (version 369.5) starting - Wed May 31 17:37:04 2006
May 31 17:37:08 jz-iBook kernel[0]: AirPort: Link Active: "www.net23.cz/ziizii" - 0014516f4efd - chan 1
May 31 17:37:08 jz-iBook configd[59]: AppleTalk startup
May 31 17:37:11 jz-iBook launchd: Server 4e3f in bootstrap 1103 uid 0: "/usr/sbin/lookupd"[352]: exited abnormally: Hangup
May 31 17:37:11 jz-iBook configd[59]: posting notification com.apple.system.config.network_change
May 31 17:37:11 jz-iBook lookupd[354]: lookupd (version 369.5) starting - Wed May 31 17:37:11 2006
May 31 17:37:14 jz-iBook configd[59]: AppleTalk startup complete
May 31 17:37:26 jz-iBook configd[59]: hostname (multicast DNS) = jz-iBook
iBook G4 12" Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Please perform a "factory default" reset on your AirPort Express. Note you may need to do this a few times to make sure it "sticks." Once completed successfully, the status light should flash amber NOT green.
This type of reset will reconfigure the Express to its factory settings. That is, it will broadcast an unsecured Wi-Fi network with a network name (aka SSID) of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN
Can your Win7 computer find and connect to this network now? If it can, then do so and the AirPort Utility on the PC should now be able to find the Express.

Getting the Most Out of My Airport Express Base Station, Part# MB321LLA

I'm assigned in northern Europe and have recently ordered an Airport Express Base Station through the APO (US Military Postal Service). It hasn't arrived yet and I decided to read up on it's positives and negatives. I currently have an Apple iMac 27" and a HP PC on my wireless network at home. I recently purchased an iPad2 and enjoy using it over my wireless network while sitting in the living room in the evenings. Unfortunately, the wireless signal alternates between 1 and 2 bars (sometimes even 0 bars) causing considerable delay in downloading and surfing the web on my new iPad2. I recently purchased a new LED Samsung "Smart System" HD TV and plan on setting it up in the living room this next weekend (replacing a very old TV). Part of my plan was to order (which I have along with the Airport Express) Apple TV and hook it up to the new HD TV at the same time. I was concerned about the wireless signal strength, due to the non-Apple wireless router being on the far end of my home, so I ordered the Airport Express hoping it would do the job of boosting the range and also helping increase the wireless signal strength for both my Apple TV (which is still on order) and my newly purchased iPad2.
The question is this: What is the best way for me to set up the Airport Express to optimize the wireless network (and my investment). As previously mentioned, the primary non-Apple wireless router is at least 50 ft away and is on the far end of the house (going through several thick walls in the process) from my living room area where the new HD TV is to be installed. Is it best to just add the Airport Express to the existing router via an Ethernet connection and emulate the existing wireless network, or is it best to actually set it up in the living room at the other end of the house?
I wish I had read the comments in this forum prior to having ordered this new Airport Express device.
Thanks...
Cheyenne22

What is the best way for me to set up the Airport Express to optimize the wireless network (and my investment).
The "best" way to connect network devices is always using a wired Ethernet connection if possible. Bandwidth is much higher, and you don't have to worry about wireless interference from other electronic sources in the area or obstructions in the signal path that reduce the signal strength quickly.
The AirPort Express can "extend" or "repeat" a wireless signal (using a wireless connection only) from another AirPort router, such as an AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule, or another AirPort Express. But, unfortunately it will not perform this service with devices from other manufacturers.
So, you will have to go the Ethernet connection option for your network.
If you configure the AirPort Express to "create a wireless network" using the exact same wireless network name, same type of security setting, and same password as your main router, it will provide more wireless coverage in the area where it is located.
The AirPort Express will need to be in "bridge mode" to do this. AirPort Utility, the application used to set up the AirPort Express will walk you through the installation and select the bridge mode option for you.
You can use the USB port on the AirPort Express to connect a compatible printer. If you want to stream AirTunes to the Express, you will be able to do that as well.

Airport Express Base Station: DHCP and fixed IP?

I have some questions about the Airport Express Base Station.
Is it capable of providing fixed assigned IP addresses to certain specified clients, and simultaneously providing other clients with IP addresses using DHCP?
This would be in the context of also using MAC address control -- providing services only to clients whose MAC address is in specified list.
And finally, can it be set to not broadcast its ssid?
Thanks!

Thanks. This is one of those situations where my language needs to be clearer...
The question is, can the methods be mixed. Some clients manually assigned, and at the same time others configured with dynamic addresses via DHCP. I had another wireless router at one time that was either/or -- all one or all the other, but not mixed.
But as Doug pointed out, the Airport Express discussion group is a better place for this question, so I'll head over there.
FWIW, this question arose when I was using Retrospect Express to back up a wireless client. Retrospect was too dumb to find the client by hostname -- or I was too dumb to figure out how to get it to do it that way -- the only way I could Retrospect to find the machine was by IP address, which meant I needed a static address. Otherwise I'd have to go in and edit the Retrospect configuration every time the client changed IP, and even that wasn't easy.

Airport Express Base Station Software for Vista???

Okay, I bought the Airport Express Base Station because it supports Vista to play my itunes on my home stereo. I am completely lost here. The device came with a version of software (v4.2) that doesn't support Vista and when you try to update the software, it complains because my Airport Utility is to old. Why has Apple made it so hard to us this device on a Vista machine when they advertise that it works with Vista?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Interestingly, Apple doesn't provide the new AirPort Utility as a download since it's provided on the installation CD that comes with the new 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station. Have you tried contacting Apple for a replacement CD?
As an option, here's a workaround...
o Download a copy of the Less_MSIerables utility to the Windows Vista desktop, and then, extract it to a folder of your choice.
o Download AirPort Base Station Update 2007-002 for Windows to the Windows Vista desktop.
o Use a program like winrar or winzip to uncompress that file to a new folder
o Next go to the folder in which you extracted Less_MSIerables.
o In a subfolder you will see a file called lessmsi.
o Right-click on this file, and then, click "Properties."
o Click on the "Compatibility" tab.
o Enable the option "Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP (Service Pack 2)."
o Click "Apply," and then on "OK."
o Right-click on the lessmsi file again.
o Choose "Run as administrator," and then, after the program starts click on the "..." button to browse to the folder where you unzipped AirPort521Update.
o Select "APSetup," and then, click "Open."
o Select "APUtil.exe," and then, click "Extract" to extract the file to the Vista desktop.
o A file folder will appear with a name like cab#APSetup.cab1.
o Open that file folder and you will see a file named: APUtil.exe.
o Either run APUtil.exe from it's present location, or copy it to its final destination.

AirPort Express base station needs frequent power-cycling

Hi, I've got an AirPort Express base station, roughly three years old at this point. Every so often I can't connect to the internet --- not wirelessly from my laptop, nor from the desktop that is cabled to the base station. The solution is to power-cycle the base station. Other, less drastic attempts to restore my internet connection never work.
This used to happen just every once in a while, but it's been increasing in frequency --- to the point where it happens almost every day now.
Anyone know what's going on? Time to take it in for service, or maybe time to buy a new one?

Thanks for the clarification. This will make troubleshooting somewhat easier.
Suggest that you pick a time when you can turn the wireless off on the AirPort Extreme for a few days. Keep as many things as possible connected using ethernet cables. If you find that you do not have to restart the AirPort Extreme daily as you do now, that's a pretty strong indication that the problems are being caused by wireless interference of some sort.
Remember that devices connected using ethernet and devices that are connected using wireless are all still on the same network. So, if the wireless is picking up stray interference, it can certainly affect other devices on the network, including loss of your Internet connection.
If you find that you still need to restart the AirPort Extreme with wireless turned off during your "test", then that narrows the possible issues down to several things:
o The modem is experiencing intermittent problems
o The AirPort Extreme is experiencing intermittent problems
Assuming that you know you have good ethernet cables, you can plug a computer directly into the modem for a day or two and keep tabs on things. If you continue to experience a connection loss, the modem is likely acting up.
If you have no problems connecting directly to the modem, then it's time to take the Airport Extreme to an Apple store to let them have a look and perform some diagnostics. If it's an intermittent problem, it will be hard to find, as the product will likely perform perfectly during the tests.

AirPort Express Base Station with AirTunes, is it worth it?

I am about to buy a MacBook and get a wireless capable printer and I'm wondering if it's worth buying the AirPort Express Base Station with AirTunes. Does it improve internet connectivity? I have a Cable modem will the Mac pick up the connection automatically?
thanks!

Hi liquid_garnet,
welcome to macbook forum.
First check your wirelesss printer that you want to buy, and make sure they have intel mac driver for it in the box or on their sites.
And check your cable modem, see if the modem is capable with wireless networking (usually if the box has antenna, it should be wifi capable), if it does, why bother to buy another wireless access point?
If you really need wireless access point, I suggest you consider a wireless router hub, so you can connect up to 4 computer wired and not to mention the wireless capability too, rather than airport express with iTunes that only can act as wireless access point and cannot act as a hub.
Good Luck.

Airport express base station a1264 was working great.

Hi
I have airport express base station a1264 and it was working great. Updated to Maverick and the utility now is 6.3.2. It seems now itunes drops occassionally.
I only want this AX to be a remote Stereo connection for my itunes. NO INTERNET
Connection goes as follows: Mac Mini Wifi to AX ---> Toslink to Cambridge Magic Dac100 to RCA to Pre-AMp. All was great for a couple of years.
Now it drops - annoyingly so!
I tried to update the firmware and then tried to re-configure but I can't seem to get it to ignore INTERNET connection.
It seems to work - but the MAC MINI has the exclamation over the WIFI icon - says no internet connection - which I don't want. Why is it looking for internet. I set up a new network and set the SSID as STEREO WIFI which itunes will connect to....
Do I care about the exclmation point? Never saw it - ...
THanks
Merry Christmas
Art
OSX 10.9.5, MAC MINI, Airport Utility 6.3.2 - Airport Express A1264 - a few years old....

Gregpharris wrote:
This was working a week ago. I unplugged it for a move and now I get nothing. No light - it's like it's not connected to the power.
Locate the reset button, which is a small, circular gray, flush button near the connectors. (See the diagram on page 7 of this manual: http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/AirPort_Express_SetupGuide.pdf .)
Press in on that button while you plug it in. Continue to press for maybe 20 seconds. If you don't see any sign of the status light flashing during that time, then your Express may be dead.

Using a Airport Express Base Station for wireless printing.

Using a Airport Express Base Station for wireless printing. Got a new DSL router yesterday. Our old one we did not have password protected. The new one is. I can't figure out how to get the base station to connect with the new router.

thanks for the reply, I couldn't connect with the base station. The solution (thank you apple genius bar) was to do a soft rest of the unit which allowed and ethernet connectiont to be established. Took the genius bar gy about ten min (and 2 attempts) to get the base station reconfigured. Got home and it worked like a charm. Would have never known what he knew. Thank you genius bar. Thank you for taking time to respond.

How do I connect the airport express base station to the DSL modem? Can it be done wirelessly?

Can the airport express base station be wirelessly connected to the DCL modem?

Alan1111 wrote:
Can the airport express base station be wirelessly connected to the DCL modem?
Alan,
Please provide more information. (Make/model of the modem and airport express, Mac OS version, etc.)
Most likely your modem is the source of your internet connect and you sound like you are trying to extend your network through the airport express (which is a router).
I don't know what a "DCL modem" is. Perhaps you meant "DSL".
Most internet modems are either a "Cable Modem" or a "DSL Modem".
Time Warner (TMC) and Comcast typically provide cable modems, which use a coaxial (round) cable.
"DSL Modems" are used with AT&T and they are connected to your telephone wires.
Both of these types of modems usually includes a router built-in, some include a wireless router, too.
Either way, I don't know of any way to connect an Airport base station to a router wirelessly.
That would be called a "bridge" in networking terms and while it may be possible, it is not common.
Most routers use a direct ethernet cable connection, because the data flows much faster than wirelessly.
Normally, one connects to their airport base station with an ethernet cable from the primary home/office computer.
It can be accessed wirelessly, but only if you enable that option in the Airport utility (not the default).
Again, connecting or bridging one router to another router is not a common method.

I have two airport express base stations that I want to configure on two separate sets of speakers in two separate rooms. How do I do this? Airport Utility only seems to scan one express at a time.

I am currently running a PowerPC G5 imac and have a wired broadband modem via ethernet with airport wireless network turned on, on the G5. I have the computer in the bedroom and have an airport express wired into a mixer that connects to my stereo. I have recently bought another airport express base station to connect to a pair of active monitors in the kitchen. When I try to scan these on Airport Utility version 5.42 I am only managing to scan one base unit at a time. I have plugged them in separately and reset them, they both have firmware updates, however the utility will only read one at once. I have read that you can link base stations to the same WDS. I would like to know how to go about doing this if it will only scan one airport express at a time. I have looked it up on the net and not found anything that is a simple fix. Can anyone help? In Apple Support it says that multiple Base Stations can be used. I would like to get both Apple Airport Express units to be able play airtunes separately or at the same time depending where I am in my flat. I do not need different music in each room. I would like to stream music from the computer to multiple rooms in the flat without having to continually unplug and configure the Base Stations. Has anyone come across such a challenge? Any help would be welcome.

How do I configure the AX to connect to the hub's wireless network? It will only scan one base station Airport Express at a time in the Airport Utility. I think what I am trying to do is use the hub as a router to the two AX's. Is there a specific way to set this up?
To set up the AX to join a wireless network as a "Wireless Client," using the AirPort Utility, either connect to the AX's wireless network or temporarily connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then, try these settings:
Launch the AirPort Utility.
Select the AX.
If not already connected to the AX's wireless network, go ahead and switch to it when prompted.
AirPort Utility > Select the AX > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless
Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
Network Name: <type in the network name/SSID of the wireless network that you want to join or select it from the pop-up menu>
Wireless Security: None OR, if you are using security on your wireless network:
Wireless Security: <Select the appropriate level of security for the existing wireless network: WPA/WPA2 Personal | WPA2 Personal>
Password: <enter your wireless network security password>
Verify Password: <re-enter the same security password>
Click Update to write the new settings to the AX.

Airport express base station too old?

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