Old AExpress on default settings will not join existing network?

Question

I have an Airport Express which I have done a hard reset on to factory settings. When I try to have it join the existing network ,using the newest verion of the Airport Utilities, it will not save the changes. When I use the automatic set-up, it asks me to change networks to the default apple network, and as I said will not save the changes. Does this sound like it might be broken (almost 3 years old) or, do I have to try to do this manually?

Answer 1

It's possible that your AirPort Express Base Station (AX) is faulty, but let's double-check it's settings for being a wireless client ...
To set up the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) as a "Wireless Client," using the AirPort Utility, either connect to the AX's wireless network or temporarily connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then, try these settings:
o Perform a "Factory Default" reset on the AX.
o Launch the AirPort Utility.
o Select the AX.
o If not already connected to the AX's wireless network, go ahead and switch to it when prompted.
AirPort > Base Station
o Base Station Name: <whatever you wish or use the default>
o Base Station Password: <enter a desired password for the base station>
o Verify Password: <re-enter the desired password>
o Remember this password in my keychain: (optional)
o Set time automatically: (optional)
AirPort > Wireless
o Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
o Network Name: <type in the network name/SSID of the wireless network that you want to join or select it from the pop-up menu>
o Wireless Security: None
OR, if you are using security on your wireless network:
o Wireless Security: <Select the appropriate level of security for the existing wireless network: 40-bit WEP|128-bit WEP | WPA Personal | WPA Enterprise>
o Password: <enter your wireless network security password>
o Verify Password: <re-enter the same security password>
AirPort > Wireless > Wireless Options
o Multicast Rate: 2 Mbps
o Transmit Power: 100%
o Create a closed network: (disabled)
o Use interference robustness: (disabled)
o Click Done
o Click Update to write the new settings to the AX.