Express/Extreme Can Join Network but Cannot Extend

Question

I have both an Airport Extreme and an Aiport Express.  Recently we have upgraded to UVerse and acquired a new modem/wireless router.  I like the interface for this new router and would like to use it.  In turn, I would like to use both my Extreme/Express to extend my current wireless network.  In the past, I just ran my modem to the Extreme and then extended, upstairs, using my Express.  
Both have no issues joining the current wireless network, but when attempt to extend the wireless network, they both just drop to blinking yellow lights and do nothing else.  Sometimes I connect via an ip address and see that the issues with extending comes from the fact that it cannot see the wireless network, which makes no sense to me since I have already joined the wireless network multiple times. 
From here I simply have to factory reset each and start over, trying new settings.  My frustration has come to a head as I can find plenty of threads that have issues with extending networks from an Express, but nothing like mine.
My new UVerse modem is a 3801HGV from Pace?
My security is WPA2 TKIP/AES.
I have no interest is hooking my Extreme up to the UVerse router via ethernet, I would much rather have it upstairs with the Express, extending, so I can have some true full home coverage with my network.
Thanks for reading

Answer 1

You might consider connecting one AirPort to the Uverse router using a short Ethernet cable and setting that AirPort up to "create a wireless network".
Then, the next AirPort can extend that network.
Apple's routers.....and many others for that matter....will run circles around the wireless on a Uverse router, so if performance is important to you, you might consider turning off the wireless on the Uverse router and using other products to provide the  wireless service.
If you want to "extend" the Uverse signal with another product......a Netgear "universal" extender might do the job.....(although the models that I have tried are not "universal" enough to extend an Apple network).
Might be a good idea to understand the store's return policy before you buy any product, as compatibility between different brands is always a huge question that often can't be answered until you try it our for yourself.
Good luck.