Airport express or modem?

Question

I have a 2006 Macbook and a 3 or 4 year old airport express. I have Cox Communications as my internet provider. Recently, on two occassions, I have had to call Cox to send a signal to the modem but at the same time the airport utility box is saying I have problems with my router. I have unplugged the AE and the flashing amber light became green but seeing that this is a recurrant problem I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem before I call and spend $50 for tech support.Don't know where to begin looking for the problem.
Thanks for any advise.

Answer 1

Try the following, in order, until (hopefully) resolved:
1a. Delete Preferred Network(s)
System Preferences > Network > AirPort > Advanced > AirPort tab
Under "Preferred Networks," delete the network(s) you regularly use from the list.
1b. Delete AirPort Keychain Entries
Launch the "Keychain Access" application located in Applications/Utilties.
Click on the "Kind" filter at the top, and look for any "AirPort network password" entries...and delete them.
1c. Add Preferred Network(s)
System Preferences > Network > AirPort > Advanced > AirPort tab
Add the preferred network(s) using the "+" button.
Restart or log out then back in.
2. Move System Configuration Files
(Note: You will have to reestablish your network connections settings.)
Go to /Library/Preferences
Move the SystemConfiguration folder to the desktop.
Restart your Mac. (Note: OS X will rebuild the files that are now sitting on your desktop. If this doesn't resolve the issue, you can move the folder back to it's original location.)
3. Run the Disk Utility to repair Disk Permissions.
Restart or log out then back in.
4. Turn off the Mac OS X Firewall
System Preferences > Sharing > Firewall
Click the "Stop" button.
5. Create a New User Account
System Preferences > Accounts
Click "+" to add a new account
Log off, then log back on with the new user account.
Try connecting with the AirPort.