How to set Time capsule as base station and airport express to join

Question

I have a wireless network using an Airport express. Now I would like to have time capsule to be set up as the base station and just the airport express to join this network, in order to listen wirelessly to music, but keep the speed of the time capsule.
Right now, the ethernet cable is connected to the Airport express. Do I have to switch that to the Time capsule? I tried to do that, but it wasn't able to connect to the internet in this case.... I am lost. Now I have a speedy time capsule, but have the network running on the slow Airport express... Please help!!! And I believe as you guessed already, I am not a smarty, when it comes to networks.
HELP! Please!!

Answer 1

I actually have mine set up this way that you are looking to do. Works well for me. here si what you can try:
Make sure you unplug the Express all together first. It does interfere when trying to set this up. Next setup your TC just like the instruction says (remember no Express). You should just be able to set up your TC, connect to the internet and get going like any other router or like the Airport Extreme. if you set up your TC with your comp and CANNOT access the internet that is your first problem. My suggestion: do a hard reset of the TC if you have already attached it to the Express while also doing a hard reset of the Express - this is to bring them both back to afctory defaults to start fresh. This definitaely helped me.
So once you have your TC up and running and you have internet access thru your TC, you are halfway there. Make sure your TC shows in the left column of the Airport Utility (and dont forget to install the Airport Utility from the disc that comes with teh TC before you do any of this, forgot that). if it shows up in the left column you should also be able to see the Express in that column, both with green lights, if you have set this up correctly. Then plug in the Express. As the above mentioned remember t make sure it is connected to the correct port on that back of the TC. It will remain amber then blink a few times. This is normal. It should be blinking amber when you attempt the setup of the Express. Your airport utility shoul dnow see the addt base station (Express) in the left column. When you click on it and click CONTINUE it will ask you if you want to switch networks. You can do that and lick switch provided you are already connected to the TC and alrady have an internet connection. Once you click switch the TC will disappear from the left column and you will be left only with the Express. This is OK. I am not in fron to fm y comp right now so I am doing this from memory but in setting up the Express you want to add it to your existing network. You will have to choose which network to add it to in a drop down box in one of those steps - just make sure you add it to the one that you named your TC. Then click to the finish and click UPDATE. Let it finish the update - you shoul dsee green light son both the TC and Extreme HARDWARE - not necessarily in the airport utility. Also it is a good idea to to to the menu bar on top where the WiFi icon is and manually select your network in case you get bumped off while the TC is updating itself after you ckicl update - this happened ot me and it wouldnt complete the update and took me forever to figure out it needs internet connection to complete the update screen.
next make sure you RESTART your comp. This I guess will make all changes basically go into effect as you cycle it up. When you are up and running you should see your WiFi connect as your TC and NOT your Express. Also go back into airport utility and see if you ahve both items listed in left column - they too should have a greenlight. If they do you should be set.
I did this because I wanted to steam my iTunes files that I have on my TC to stream to iTunes via my network. The Express part, as you know, is what allows the streaming. So make sure you plug your stereo cable into the Express audio port. Then go to iTunes and on the bottom you will notice a new little drop down box - make sure to select Express so it can wireless stream (in iTunes prefs there is a pref you must turn on also to allow iTunes to see remote speakers.
Ive simplified this a little since I am not at home but this is the gist. In a prefect worl you should be able to easily have this work. I did so I know it does at least work if not anything else. You just have to make sure you get the steps correct and have everyhing plugge din where they should be...
G'luck