Connect Airport Express directly to iMac

Hi
First posting so please forgive any mistakes!
I have only switched over to using an iMac about a month ago, and have to say I'm really pleased with its operation.
The problem that I am trying to resolve, is configuring a newly purchased airport express to connect directly to my iMac if that is possible.
I have a PC connected by ethernet to a Netgear DG834GT router located in an upstairs bedroom. My iMac is downstairs connected to the router wirelessly. I have self powered speakers connected to the airport express in another room, and stream iTunes to it from my iMac.
However the wireless reception in that room from the router is not great. Is it possible to stream iTunes directly to the airport express without having to go via the router. It would be much improved if it came from my iMac.
Thanks

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How to Connect Airport Express to Existing Wireless Network (Client Mode)

I am posting this for everyone tearing their hair out trying to connect the Airport Express to your own existing home wireless network. After spending 2 hours last night installing this on my father-in-law's home network, I hope to be able to save someone else the agony we went through.
So here's the situation:
Say you already have your own home network set up, and all you want is to be able to use AirTunes to play music off iTunes into your speaker system. And, you don't need the printer sharing capability nor creation of another wireless network (2 of the features of Airport Express). Then this solution is for you - read on.
Unfortunately, Apple's user manual is very unclear how to connect Airport Express to your own network. When you look at the picture diagram they provide, they show Airport Express picking up its signal from another Apple-oriented base. This can make you think you need to buy another piece of hardware to make it work. DON'T If you read through the manual, the Support section here, etc., you will hear lots of talk about "Client Mode" - and that this is the only way to get it to work. Nice - but no one really tells you how to set up the Airport in client mode.
Do yourself a favor, toss that user manual aside and run these steps.
(Note: These directions assume your DSL/Cable Modem is hooked up to a wireless router or acts as its own wireless router)
1. Get a cat5 Ethernet cable (anything but an orange cable - that's a crossover cable) like you would use to connect your PC to your router to pick up the Internet.
2. Connect the Ethernet cable to the router on one end, and to the Airport Express unit on the other end.
3. Plug in your Airport Express unit to the wall (this will not necessarily become its permanent location - you will be able to move it later). The light will glow solid Amber for about 30-45 seconds while it starts up, then blink Amber. At this point, the unit is ready to operate.
4. Install the CD to the PC where your iTunes music is stored. This should be painless. Once you open the program, it should detect the Airport unit.
5. At this point, the on-screen wizard will present you with your options, and walk you through the setup. This is much like the user manual describes - and you should be good to go form here forward.
Some pointers:
- When asked if you want to create a new network, join an existing network, or connect via Ethernet, choose the middle option for joining an existing network. You will need to know the name of your network, the password to connect to the network (if present), and the type of encryption used on the network (e.g. WEP, WPA, etc.). Side note, WPA is recommended, as it is a higher level of security than WEP. You will be able to configure the Airport Express unit to automatically login to your network.
- I would recommend, when creating a password for the Airport Express unit, use the same password as your network, to avoid confusion.
6. The very last step will ask you to save the settings to the Airport Express. Here's the kicker - when you save the settings, you are TRICKING the Airport Express into no longer acting as a network broadcaster, but instead being a "slave" to your own network. What do I mean? You will lose the connection from your PC to the Airport Express - an error message will pop up telling you the unit can no longer be found. While you might think you did something wrong, you actually were successful!
7. Unplug your Airport Express, and disconnect the Ethernet cable from your router and the Airport unit. This will no longer be needed.
8. Go to your desired location where you want to plug in your Airport Express unit. Before plugging it in, connect your Audio cable from the Airport Express to your audio receiver. Once that is connected, then plug in the Airport Express unit. The light will glow solid Amber for 30-45 seconds while it loads, and then will blink Amber for a brief period of time before turning solid GREEN. When this happens, you have successfully connected the Airport Express to your home network!
9. Go back to your PC with iTunes. Open the Airport software - you should now have a listing for your Airport Express unit in the upper left. Click on this, and the wizard will guide you through connecting - you will need the password you created for the unit. You only need to go through this wizard once, and when finished, the software will tell you that can now use iTunes with your Airport unit.
10. Open iTunes. On the lower right, you will see a dropdown for Speakers, and it should be defaulted to My Computer. Click on that drop-down, and you will see the name of your Airport unit. Click on that name, and now your music will broadcast to the Airport unit!
11. Play a song in iTunes. Go to your audio receiver, and connect it to the channel for your external connection to the Airport Express unit. You should hear your music from iTunes. CONGRATULATIONS! =)
I hope these instructions were helpful - I am happy to answer any questions, so feel free to contact me, *******************@*****.**.
<Edited by Moderator>

Thanks for the detailed directions. You are absolutely correct in stating that people should toss the user manual; it's pretty worthless. I have had a problem setting up my new Airport Express as I have described in an earlier post - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1839873&tstart=45
One quick question - does using your setup process set the AE up as part of a distributed network where the AE is acting as a wireless router where it is extending the range of your network? Or, is it simply a wireless connection to your stereo for iTunes? I am interested in having both, since my AE will be at the other end of the house from the main wireless router.
Thanks

Connect airport express to router wifi not apple

I already have a wifi router is not Apple, I have already configured iPhone and iMac to wirelessly, now I need to connect my hi-fi via an airport express (via wifi of course) I can connect "airport express" to a wifi router does not Apple via wifi?

now I need to connect my hi-fi via an airport express (via wifi of course) I canconnect "airport express" to a wifi router does not Apple via wifi?
Yes, the AirPort Express can "Join" virtually any wireless network if you know the name of the network, the exact type of wirelss security that is being used on the network and the wireless network password.
The Express will work for AirTunes and/or allow you to connect a printer when it is configured this way.
But....the Express cannot provide any additional wireless coverage for the network when it is configured to "Join" the network, so it will not "repeat" or "extend" the wireless network in this type of setup.

When trying to connect airport express keep getting unexpected error please try again. IVE TRIED A HUNDRED TIMES AND HAVE FOUND SUPPORT PAGES UNHELPFUL

when trying to connect airport express keep getting unexpected error please try again. IVE TRIED A HUNDRED TIMES AND HAVE FOUND SUPPORT PAGES UNHELPFUL

Have you tried using a WEP password for your wireless network instead of a WPA one? That fixed it for me.

Je n'arrive pas a configurer airport express directement depuis ipad

Bonjour,
Je n'ai plus d'ordinateur, je voudrais configurer un airport express directement depuis l'ipad !
L'ipad reconnait l'airport mais ne le confgure pas.
Quelqu'un peut-il m'aider?
Merci

Il faut une imprimante compatible AirPrint. Une recherche sur le net te dira les modèles compatibles.
Sinon apparemment y'a un yack pour contourner mais je ne le connais pas.

Cannot connect airport express to ipad I keep receiving the message: "an unexpected error occurred" when I try to connect my Ipad to my airport express. Does anyone have a solution?

cannot connect airport express to ipad
I keep receiving the message: "an unexpected error occurred" when I try to connect my Ipad to my airport express. Does anyone have a solution?

I could not "see" my Express via my wireless router or via the Airport Utility until I reset it to Factory Settings by unplugging it then holding in the tiny reset button while plugging it back in, waiting for the flashing yellow LED signal before letting go.
Then I set it up to DHCP - "connect to wireless network" and DOWNGRADED the firmware to 7.3.x
I would tell you the exact Firmware but I can no longer "see" the Airport express............ AGAIN or still.....
BUT at least I am listening to music streaming from my MacBook Pro... Hmmm.
I log back into the router (Linksys WRT110) and it no longer shows the Airport Express as a DHCP client AND the Airport utility can no longer "find" any Airport Devices..
So if I don't move, or there are no cosmic events, or maybe my KARMA is effecting the device or my "VIBES" are good, but I'm not sure if will continue to work.. Sure would like to use this little device from hel*.
Since I have had this Airport Express I have spent many hours trying to get it to work.
It works just long enough to fool me and then takes a dump...
Maybe this time?
5 Minute later...
Music was playing. I went into iTunes and switched from Airtunes to Computer speakers. When I tried to switch it back GUESS WHAT?
[An unknown error (-15006) occurred while trying to connect to remote speaker "Airtunes"]
Wonderful Green LED though. Totally useless piece of equipment AFAIK.
Message was edited by: Daniel Shattuck

Can't connect Airport Express wirelessly to network so that AirTunes and internet are available simultaneously

I can't connect Airport Express wirelessly to network so that AirTunes and internet are available simultaneously. My old AE allowed this but can't make the new one work that way.

In your instructions, you say to use the same encryption type as the router has set up. well, I am using the WEP 64 bit encryption and the Airport Utility does not have this...it has 40 bit. Is this a problem, or do I have to be using a the same type of encrytion ?
WEP is available in either 40 or 104-bit, but is usually "advertised" as either 64- or 128-bit respectively. For example, 64-bit WEP uses a 40 bit key (also known as WEP-40), which is concatenated with a 24-bit initialization vector (IV) to form the 64-bit RC4 traffic key. So, WEP 64 on the Linksys & 40-bit is equivalent.
What concerns me more is the loss of bandwidth performance you are experiencing when connecting the AX. When the AX is configured as a wireless client it is acting just like any other wireless devices (computer, laptop, printer, etc.) and not like another router. This should cause little or no bandwidth loss. True the more secure the wireless encryption used WPA2 vs. WEP, the more overhead is required for security, but the differences you are seeing seem excessive.
It is very possible that you may have some form of Wi-Fi interference in the immediate area that is preventing your Linksys from providing a good clean signal.
I suggest you perform a simple site survey, using utilities like the following to determine potential areas of interference, and then, try to either eliminate or significantly reduce them where possible:
For Macs:
o MacStumbler
o iStumbler, or
For PCs:
o NetStumbler

Cannot connect Airport express wireless

Hello, cannot connect airport express wireless to linksys router. Connected now with ethernet cable but cannot figure wireless connection. My laptop cannot find the express while preforming setup scan, yet I'm connected to it. I can connect with my iphone but not wirelessly. Any suggestions?

....I was then told over the phone that airport express will not connect to third party routers.
This is NOT correct.
The AirPort Express will connect to a wireless network if you know the following:
1) The name of the wireless network
2) The exact setting for wireless security that the network is using
3) The wireless network password
Most users know 1) and 3), but very few know the exact type of wireless security settings that their wireless router is using. The Express will not connect to the wireless network unless it receives all of the information listed above.
So...we will assume that you know the name of the wireless network and the password for the network.
Do you know the exact type of wireless security setting that your wireless router is using? If not, the Express will not connect.
You may need to check the setup of your wireless router....or if the router was supplied to you by an Internet Service Provider, they may be able to tell you what type of wireless security setting is being used.
Post back when you have this info and we will proceed. There are still no guarantees that the Express will connect....but at least there may be a chance.

While connecting airport express, the airport utilities shows airport express but no set up menu

trying to connect airport express for music streaming. already have time capsule. Airport utilities show airport express but no setup options at all.

What version of AirPort Utility do you have?
Please look on the side of the AirPort Express for the model number.....starts with an "A" followed by four numbers.......and post back with that info.

How do i connect airport express to blue ray player

wondering if i can connect airport express to blue ray player using usb for streaming, etc?

Good question. The single port on the AirPort Express places it somewhat at a disadvantage in a situation like this. It's tempting to think that a setup like this will work:
Modem > Ethernet Switch > Express & Blu-Ray Player both connected to the switch
But, unfortunately, it won't. The reason is that the modem has only one IP address it can deliver and it can't go to two devices at the same time. It will be matter of chance as to which device...the Express or Blu-Ray Player....gets the IP address. The other device will not be able to connect to the Internet.
Instead, what is required is a simple "wired only" router connected to the modem. So the corrrect setup will look like this:
Modem > Wired Only Router > Express and Blu-Ray Player both connected to the router
The router "shares" the IP address that it receives from the modem (an ethernet switch cannot do this) and provides simultaneous Internet connections to the devices that are plugged into the ethernet ports on the router.

How do I connect to Airport express with my iMac?

I am trying to connect my iMac to my Airport Express.

Sorry, the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule would be in the same boat as far as their USB ports. However, if a multifunction printer is network-ready, meaning that it can connect to an existing network by Ethernet or by wireless, then it could connect to the AirPorts by one of those means and have all of its functionality.
For example, I have an HP Officejet 6500. This multifunction printer has both Ethernet and wireless capability. I have it connected by wireless to one of my AirPort Extreme Base Stations and I am able to both scan and fax with it from my Macs or PCs in this configuration.

HT1126 Can I connect the Airport Express directly to my wireless router?

The old owner of my house set the Air port for my use, gave me a password ... when I tried it, the password never worked.
DO not want to lose my old wireless system as it allows me to do more than just the Air Port.
should I reset the system?

can i connect the airport express into an ethernet port in the wall
I assume you are asking about obtaining an Internet connection here.
First, temporarily turn off the wireless on a laptop and connect the laptop to the Ethernet wall jack with an Ethernet cable. Can you log on to the Internet this way?
If yes, then you can connect an AirPort Express to this Ethernet port and configure it to provide a wireless signal for multiple devices.
If no, then you can connect the Express, but you will not have an Internet connection.

Need to configure - 2 Airport Expresses, Macbook Pro + iMac G4

Hi All. My problem is I can't get my G4 iMac to work with an Airport Express (connected to the ethernet port as the iMac doesn't have wireless.)
Below (A) is a configuration that works and (B) doesn't.
Configuration (A)
Airport Express 1(Main) (living room) - Connected to DSL modem + sterio
Airport Express 2 (bedroom) - Connected to USB printer
I can happily play music via airtunes and print wirelessly to the printer from my MacBook Pro.
Configuration (B)
Same as (A) but an iMac is connected to Airport Express 2 in the bedroom by Ethernet Cable.
The problem seems to be that the way Airport Express 2 is configured means the ethernet port isn't active. When I configure it to activate the port then I lose communication with it (from wireless Mac). The light goes from green to flashing amber. I can no longer see the printer from MacBook Pro.
So the question really is, in order to have Configuration (B) fully working, what setting do I need to set on both airport expresses?
Many thanks
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8) iMac G4 - 10.4.8

WilH, Welcome to the discussion area!
The Ethernet port on the AirPort Express (AX) is ONLY active when the AX is using WDS to join a wireless network.
You will need to use the directions in KB 107454, AirPort Extreme and Express: Using WDS to create a network from multiple base stations to configure all of your AX. Configure AX1 as a "main base station". Configure AX2 and AX3 as remote base stations.

AirPort Express to make iMac G4 Wirless?

I currently have a Linksys Wireless G router with my iMac connected directly to it. Can I purchase the AirPort Express and connect an ethernet cord directly to it if I wanted to move the iMac or do I need to purchase the original AirPort card?
Thanks.
iMac G4 1.25GHz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Thanks Simon. However, I was hoping to just purchase the Airport Express and connect it to my iMac so I don't have to purchase either an Airport Card or other wireless router. The location I'm placing this does not have a lot of room and I'm trying to limit the amount of wires at that location.
iMac G4 1.25GHz & MacBook Pro 1.83GHz Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Printing to airport express from multiple imacs

I have two Intel based iMacs that share a Canon ip4300 printer via Airport Express (connected to the USB port on the airport Express). One of the iMacs prints perfectly and very fast. The second (and closer unit to the AE) prints extremely slow and can take an hour to print one photo. I disconnected the AE and plugged the USB directly into the second iMac and it too prints perfectly and very fast. So it seems to be something to do with the WiFi connection between the second iMac and the AE that is causing the problem. I have downloaded new firmware for the AE and drivers for the printer. I have reconfigured that AE from scratch. What should I do?

When you say that you installed the "drivers" for your Dell laptop, does this mean that you also installed Bonjour for Windows, which is on the CD that came with the AirPort Express?
If you haven't installed Bonjour for Windows on the Dell, you can download it here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/dl999

Connect Airport Express directly to iMac

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