Cannot connect to wireless network? please help!!

Question

I am at my wits end! I don't know what else to do... My airport express just keeps flashing amber.. I have the USB connected from the printer to the airport express - the airport express is plugged into the wall and when i run the assistant i get an error that says it can't restart to connect to my wireless network although the settings were changed successfully.
HOW do i connect to my wireless network (password protected and I have entered the WEP password etc.) I don't know what any other options are since it tells me its installed correctly but it just doesn't connect to the network???
any help would be greatly appreciated...
thanks in advanced...

Answer 1

A persistent, flashing amber light indicates that any of the several potential conditions may require your attention:
o The base station has not yet been configured because it is new, or the reset switch has been set.
o You have selected a security configuration that is not recommended.
o One of several other conditions, such as a disconnected Ethernet cable or invalid IP address has been detected.
(ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305101)
If you run the AirPort Utility, it will show an amber circle on the summary page next to the area(s) causing the problem. Click on this amber circle and it should provide an explanation.
Use the following instructions to compare against your current setup:
AirPort Express Base Station Setup (AX) w/High-Speed Cable Modem
Perform a "factory default" reset of the AX
o (ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044)
Modem/Router Power ReCycling
o Power-off the Cable modem, AX, & computer(s); Wait at least 30 minutes.
o Power-on the Cable modem; Wait at least 15 minutes.
o Power-on the AX; Wait at least 5 minutes.
o Power-on the computer(s)
Setup the AX
Either connect to the AX's wireless network, or temporarily, connect directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then, using the AirPort Utility (in Manual Setup), configure the following settings:
AirPort - Base Station
o Base Station Name: <whatever you wish or use the default>
o Base Station Password: <enter the desired base station administrator password>
o Verify Password: <re-enter the base station administrator password>
o Remember this password in my keychain: (optional)
o Set time automatically: (optional)
o Allow configuration over Ethernet WAN port: checked
AirPort - Base Station - Base Station Options
o Contact: (optional)
o Location: (optional)
o Status Light: Always On (Default)
AirPort - Wireless
o Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network
o Network Name: <enter name or leave default>
o Radio Mode: 802.11b/g compatible
o Channel: Automatic
o Wireless Security: None
AirPort - Wireless - Wireless Options
o Multicast Rate: 2 Mbps
o Transmit Power: 100%
o Create a closed network: unchecked
o Use interference robustness: unchecked
AirPort - Access Control
o MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Internet - Internet Connection
o Connect Using: Ethernet
o Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
o DNS Server(s): (optional)
o Domain Name: (optional)
o DHCP Client ID: (optional)
o Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
o Connection Sharing: Share a public IP address
Internet - DHCP
o DHCP Range: 10.0.1.x
o DHCP Beginning Address: 10.0.1.2
o DHCP Ending Address: 10.0.1.200
o DHCP Lease: 4 hours
o DHCP Message: (optional)
o LDAP Server: (optional)
Internet - NAT
o Enable default at: unchecked
o Enable NAT Port Mapping Protocol: checked
Once you verified that you can get Internet access for all of your computers, you should secure your wireless network. To do so, I suggest that you make these changes:
AirPort > Wireless
o Wireless Security: WPA/WPA2 Personal
o Wireless Password: <enter your desired wireless network security password>
o Verify Password: <re-enter the wireless password>
o Click on "Update" to save the settings to the AX.