Older Airport Express and new MacBookAir pairing....

Here's the story:
I have a MacBookAir (very nice) which I use in a place without a wired / telephone line / broadband internet access. So, I use a Vodaphone wireless broadband connection using a USB dongle. Works well. That, of course, uses up the only available USB port on the MacBookAir, which means I am not able to easily plug in my small portable printer, which also requires USB, unless I disconnect the Vodaphone dongle, unplug it, plug in the computer, printer, then reestablish the Vodaphone connection....you see the hassle !
I have an older Airport Express (not sure if it is a, b, g ?) probably 3 years old. I had thought that I could use it to create a wireless network with my MacBookAir to use for printing.
The configuration I envisaged was as follows: Airport Express in to plug socket; USB connection from AE to printer. No physical connection between AE or printer to MacBookAir.
Using Airport Utility I try to discover the AE but scanning comes up with nothing. The AE in the meantime when first plugged in shows solid green, then a solid amber, then after about 15 seconds goes to flashing amber. Evidently, the AE, Airport Utility and my MacBookAir are not finding each other.
So: is it that the older AE and the new MacBookAir are not compatible. using different versions of the 802.11 ? Or have I got the set up completely wrong ? - ie. does the AE not speak wirelessly to the computer ? - does it need another base station to create the wireless network eg. Time Capsule or Airport Express Base Station ? I thought an AE would create its own little wireless network.
Thoughts, suggestions, help all appreciated ! Thanks.

I have an older Airport Express (not sure if it is a, b, g ?)...
The configuration I envisaged was as follows: Airport Express in to plug socket;...
What do you mean by "plug socket"? Is that the AC/power connection?
...then after about 15 seconds goes to flashing amber.
That indicates that everything is OK but the AirPort Express (AX) could not get an IP address. You would expect that if the AX is not connected to the Internet.
So: is it that the older AE and the new MacBookAir are not compatible. using different versions of the 802.11 ?
The MacBook Air is compatible with 802.11b/g so you should be able to see and use the AX.
Some countries allow operation in different channels. US made and sold equipment only uses channels 1 to 11. If your AX is using a channel above 11 and the MacBook Air is a US model, the MacBook Air will not be able to connect. Try configuring the AX to use a channel between 1 and 11.
Using Airport Utility I try to discover the AE but scanning comes up with nothing.
Have you done a reset on the AX?
Have you tried temporarily connecting your MacBook Air (or another computer) to the AX via Ethernet to configure the AX?

Similar Messages

  • Older Airport Express and MacBook Air pairing....

    Here's the story:
    I have a MacBookAir (very nice) which I use in a place without a wired / telephone line / broadband internet access. So, I use a Vodaphone wireless broadband connection using a USB dongle. Works well. That, of course, uses up the only available USB port on the MacBookAir, which means I am not able to easily plug in my small portable printer, which also requires USB, unless I disconnect the Vodaphone dongle, unplug it, plug in the computer, printer, then reestablish the Vodaphone connection....you see the hassle !
    I have an older Airport Express (not sure if it is a, b, g ?) probably 3 years old. I had thought that I could use it to create a wireless network with my MacBookAir to use for printing.
    The configuration I envisaged was as follows: Airport Express in to plug socket; USB connection from AE to printer. No physical connection between AE or printer to MacBookAir.
    Using Airport Utility I try to discover the AE but scanning comes up with nothing. The AE in the meantime when first plugged in shows solid green, then a solid amber, then after about 15 seconds goes to flashing amber. Evidently, the AE, Airport Utility and my MacBookAir are not finding each other.
    So: is it that the older AE and the new MacBookAir are not compatible, using different versions of the 802.11 ? Or have I got the set up completely wrong ? - ie. does the AE not speak wirelessly to the computer ? - does it need another base station to create the wireless network eg. Time Capsule or Airport Express Base Station ? I thought an AE would create its own little wireless network.
    Thoughts, suggestions, help all appreciated ! Thanks.

    So: is it that the older AE and the new MacBookAir are not compatible, using different versions of the 802.11 ?
    Yes, they are compatible. The older AirPort Express Base Station (AX) is a 802.11b/g-capable device, which the new MacBook Air also supports.
    The MacBook Air should also have the latest version of the AirPort Utility already installed so it should just be a matter of setting up the AX for what you need. There are several way to configure the AX to share a USB printer. The two most common ways is either a "stand-alone" wireless network or to "join" it to an existing one. Since you don't appear to have the latter, here's the set up steps for a stand-alone configuration.
    Perform a "factory default" reset of the AX
    o (ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044)
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    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.

  • HT5022 i cannot install airport utility 5.6 onto my computer although i need it to configure an older airport express and base station

    i cannot install airport utility 5.6 onto my computer although i need it to configure an older airport express and base station

    Here is my method.. the software is free that is required.. always a good point.
    How to load 5.6 into ML.
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    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
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    http://www.timdoug.com/unpkg/
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  • I have an older airport express and my computer states that the air port utility version does not support it.  Do I need to download an update?  My Imac is from SEP of last year, the version with the optical drive

    I have an older airport express.  My airport utilities states that it does not support this base station.  I am try ing to use the airport express in conjunction with a base station to air play my itunes library in another room.  I have mountain lion on my Imac (purchased new in SEP of last year.  My Imac was the last issued with an internal dvd drive.

    Unfortunately, Apple discontinued support of the older AirPort base stations with the introduction of Lion and Mountain Lion.
    You might be able to use a somewhat complicated workaround.....not supported by Apple.....if you want to try to use the older AirPort Express.
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  • Airport express and new macbook pro

    my daughter has just purchased a new macbook pro and we have set up the airport express. her macbook tells her that she is connected to the airport express but she can not load safari.

    Hello Jodi Meyer. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
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  • Printing problem with Macbook, Airport Express and new Canon IP4600

    Just set up new printer, a Canon ip4600. Adding printer in System Preferences to my flat-screen iMac, I got it working using the Airport Express. But trying the same thing with the Macbook (2.4 GHz Intel), can't get it to print. (Both worked fine with previous Epson printer.) I fear it's a network issue, not sure what to do. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

    For each of the AirPort Express Base Stations (AX), did you also change the "iTunes Speaker Name" on the Music tab when using the AirPort Admin Utility? Is this the name you're referring to from iTunes?

  • How do I configure an older airport express with Yosemite?

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  • I can't add an older airport express to OS 10.7.5? Want to use for wireless printing and iTunes.

    I'm using an Airport Extreme model A 1301 for my home's wireless network. I have three of the older Airport Express model A1084, which I was using for remote speakers for iTunes and for a wireless printer set up, but discontinued using them at some point. I currently have OS 10.7.5, and I could have sworn I was using that OS the last time I used the A1084s, but maybe I updated to it afterwards, I can't remember. At any rate, I've plugged one of the units in, look for it in Airport Utility, and get a message "this version of airPort Utility doesn't support this base station. Use airPort Utility 5.6 to configure or manage this base station. AirPort Utility 5.6 is available at AirPort Service and Support." I go there, download the program, install it, and get a message "The installation failed. The installer encountered an error that caused the installation to fail. Contact the software manufacturer for assistance." Am I in a catch-22 here - am I not able to use the older A1084s because I need airPort Utility 5.6, but I can't use airPort Utility 5.6 because I have OS 10.7.5? Does this mean I may as well throw these older A1084s away?

    If you have not already done so, I suggest that your start over on the AirPort Expess "from scratch" by performing a Factory Default Reset and then attempt to configure it to join the network again.
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  • I have bought a new airport express and using it with my macbook (iTunes 10.2.2). I have joined an existing network for internet in my home and with that i am trying to play the music via itunes but there is audio dropouts every 60 secs or so. any soln ?

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    I am shocked to have found this same AX audio dropout problem starting TODAY, every few seconds the audio just drops for a couple seconds and then resumes:  Latest software versions of everything.  No iPad, iPhone or Touch.  Internet hardwired to D-Link DES1105 (1000baseT Switch) hardwired to new 80211N AX, AX optical to stereo, AX Wi-Fi internet to basic 1st-gen MacBook operating at 80211G, and an older 'G' AX extender at the far end of the house, away from all this.  The MacBook streaming iTunes is usually 12 feet from AX.  I've used this setup for years of trouble-free AirTunes / Airplay until today.  Today I also found 2 very reliable fixes and 1 way to force a dropout, but first, I read some posts and tried ALL following settings one-at-a-time and restored them ALL because NONE of them helped:  Turned off IPV6.  Streamed to multiple speakers 'Computer' and 'AX' (restored to just AX).  Turned off 'Ask to Join new (WiFi) Networks'.  Turned off Bluetooth (can't live without Magic Trackpad, so glad that wasn't it).  Here's my discoveries:  Lo and behold, each time I click the Airport icon in the Menu (you know it shows you've got 4 bars from AX) when the status switches to 'Looking for Networks' for a second it CAUSES the AX audio to drop out for a couple seconds (it never did that before today.)  iTunes still playing, streaming, AX laser still lit, but the 'PCM' light on stereo and the sound GOES OUT EVERY time I click the Airport icon in the menubar, just like the regular, annoying dropouts.  So, to reduce traffic I quit Safari (3 tabs, no streaming, just Gmail, Google, and Netflix browsing).  Lo and behold, the dropouts stopped altogether.  No other Web apps going (not iTunes Store, Genius, Ping, nothing), so I launched Chrome to the same 3 tabs and the dropouts HAVE NOT RETURNED.  That's right, not only did simply QUITTING SAFARI cure it, and Chrome doesn't contribute to it, but I can demonstrate it just by forcing my Airport to re-scan.  Works for me, written using Chrome.  The other reliable fix is to hardwire MacBook to the Switch.  This is obviously not ideal, but Airplay audio doesn't drop out over Ethernet.  Also, in all my tests, it made no difference whether iTunes did the streaming, or Airfoil did.

  • Airport Express and Apple TV not seen by new computer

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  • Older Airport Express (circa 2006) and Time Capsule

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    Here you go....
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  • Can't set up "older" Airport express as booster for "new" Airport network?

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  • Newer mac mini airport utility can't work with older airport express

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  • Older Airport Extreme with new Airport Express

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