PCs suddenly no longer see Airport Express wireless network - please help!

Hi,
I am new to this forum and I need help. Two days ago - without me making any changes to settings etc. my Airport Express wireless network at home was no longer visible to any of my devices except to the Powerbook (G4 OS 10.3.9) which controls it. From one second to the next two Vista laptops and my cell phone (Nokia, Symbian OS).
My Powerbook has no problem connecting through AE to the internet. The two laptops are both able to connect to other wireless networks so they don't seem to be the problem. I just don't understand what caused this sudden drop-off/invisibility.
I have already tried the following: resetting the base station, changing the channel on the base station (from automatic) removing the network security altogether (from WPA2). But none of the devices except the powerbook can now see or detect my network.
Please - if anyone knows what the cause of this problem could be or how to fix I would be very grateful!!

you name it : com.apple.airport.adminutility.plist
delete it and do as advised.
This isn't harmful, because it is only a preference list, so it will be created brandnew as soon as you re-setup the Airport stuff.
Mac OS X ( especially Jaguar ) has a tendency to corrupt some plists out of the blue, it is more or less harmless and can be fixed with recreating them plus permissions-repair.
Hint : repair permissions more than one time, it ALWAYS finds something to fix in Jaguar.
You cannot destroy something with these actions, because it is Unix maintance so usual routines.
A tool like cocktail or Onyx ( google them, onyx is freeware ) can help you run such ( and more ) routines on a scheduled base.
Always remember that OS X is no longer "the Mac OS", it is Unix with a nice Desktop, the critical things run hidden in the background, so it has to be treated like any Unix/Linux sort of OS, even if from the outside everything looks nice and kosher..
Best wishes from Germany

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HELP ibook g3 OSX 10.2.8 no longer detects airport express wireless network

my ibook G3 OSX 10.2.8, airport admin utility software 3.1.1 no longer can detect the airport express wireless network (powerbook G4, OSX 10.4.11, airport admin utility 4.2; airport express, WEP protected, to DSL modem). i just installed an ipod driver update on the ibook, and wireless networking went down on restart. any help greatly appreciated!

you name it : com.apple.airport.adminutility.plist
delete it and do as advised.
This isn't harmful, because it is only a preference list, so it will be created brandnew as soon as you re-setup the Airport stuff.
Mac OS X ( especially Jaguar ) has a tendency to corrupt some plists out of the blue, it is more or less harmless and can be fixed with recreating them plus permissions-repair.
Hint : repair permissions more than one time, it ALWAYS finds something to fix in Jaguar.
You cannot destroy something with these actions, because it is Unix maintance so usual routines.
A tool like cocktail or Onyx ( google them, onyx is freeware ) can help you run such ( and more ) routines on a scheduled base.
Always remember that OS X is no longer "the Mac OS", it is Unix with a nice Desktop, the critical things run hidden in the background, so it has to be treated like any Unix/Linux sort of OS, even if from the outside everything looks nice and kosher..
Best wishes from Germany

POWERMAC G5 can no longer access Airport Express wireless network

OK I've had a Airport extreme wireless network up and running for 3-years. Suddenly, my PowerMac G5 cannot connect. I know the network is OK because my Powerbook can connect to the network.
I've tried running the Airport utility and re-scanning with no luck. Also shut down the PowerMac and the Airport Extreme and then re-booted. No luck. The wireless strength meter in the upper right corner of screen goes from solid black to gray scale. Sometimes the network is listed, other times not. It never, however, will let me join the network.
Is it possible that the Airport card has failed??
Any help will be appreciated.

what does this have to do with windows?

Linking Dell Laptop to existing/working Airport Express wireless network

Hi,
I'm trying to connect a Dell Laptop (Inspiron 2500) running on Windows XP to an existing and functionning Airport Express wireless network set up for my girlfriend's iBook. It works perfectly for the iBook.
I have outfitted the Dell with a D-Link wireless G USB adapter and I see the network (i have the password) and it says I am connected to the network (even says connection is very good).
However, when I open the internet browser, nothing.
The network set up is: Cable to RCA Digital modem (model DCM425) to Airport Express (via ethernet) and to computer.
I have tried playing around with the Dell Laptop settings (IP, DSN, etc ...) and I have called everyone involved (including Apple) to no avail.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Nick
Dell Laptop Windows XP iBook

Thanks for the reply.
WEP is enabled. As far as the encryption, I'm not sure. I believe that it's 64-bit, as the password for the network is a five-letter word.
The funny thing, though, is that I had been using an IP address which I found on my girlfriend's Ibook, which allowed me to connect to her AEBS network, although the internet browser showed no connection.
Following directions from somebody else, I removed the IP address to enable DHCP, and then I was able to connect to other networks in the area (and the browser also connected to the internet) but I couldn't get onto her network anymore. Even with the password ...
Any ideas?
If i'm supposed to upgrade to 128-bit, how should I go about doing that?
Thanks again for the reply.
What encryption are you using?
Do you have WEP enabled?
The problem you are having probably lies with the
encryption key.
ccessing a Airport Network with a Windows XP PC or
laptop (with XP SP2)
http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/1011.html
Accessing a Airport Network with a Windows XP PC or
laptop (with XP SP1)
http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/1010.html
iFelix

ITunes and Airfoil on MBP no longer see Airport express. Why?

I use an Airport Express to stream music from MacBook Pro (10.6.8) to our home theater system. Has always worked fine (with both iTunes 10.7 and Airfoil 4.7.6) -- up until recently. Now iTunes no longer has the button to switch speakers and Airfoil no longer has any speaker options.
The MBP itself sees and connects directly to the AE with no problems. Good, strong signal but it is no longer being detected by iTunes (or Airfoil).
My iMac (10.9.5) also sees and connects to the AE... and the iTunes on the iMac sees the AE and streams to it with no problems so it seems the AE is still working okay for this purpose.
Has something gone bad with the iTunes on the MBP... and also with the Airfoil at the same time?
Any possible solutions to this problem?
Thanks so much.

I have the same problem with Windows 7 64bit. ITune can see AE and stream Music well. Airfoil, TuneBlade (airplay soft) can also see AE but can't connect and stream music. I ' ve already tried to setup firewall Exception list, even turning off firewall off both windows and antivirus but still got the same problem with the message 'Airfoil was unable to connect to the remote speaker " ... 's Airport Express". Please check the firewall on the computer where " ...'s Airport Express" is running and try again'. Any help would be appreciated !.

Airport Express Wireless Network Suddenly Stops Working

Hi, I have a wireless network set up with a single airport express using WPA/WPA 2 Personal wireless security. The 5 daily clients on the network are 2 Mac laptops (Both Mac OS X.4), 2 PC's (1 Windows XP and 1 Windows Vista), and an iPhone.
Internet comes in from a Comcast connection directly into the airport express, which is set to create a wireless network and play music wirelessly using AirTunes. The Base station software is up to date, on Automatic Channel selection, and connecting to the internet using DHCP, automatic configuration and sharing a public IP address.
For some reason, every couple of weeks the airport network just stops working altogether. My Macbook Pro shows that it still has a connection with full signal to the network but has no internet connection. When I disconnect and try to reconnect, all attemps to reconnect fail. No other clients are able to get internet at this point, and I cannot even access airport settings from my Macbook Pro unless I manually reset the airport by unplugging and plugging it back in. With this reset the network starts to work again immediately and continues for several weeks again. Does anyone have any idea why it would have this random shut-off every few weeks? Thanks

I have a similiar problem. Every now and then, connecting to my Airport Express network results in "there was an error joining the airport network". It appears to me that this happens at random. Usually, the problem is solved by rebooting to Windows XP using Boot Camp, connecting to the network and then rebooting to OS X.
Recently, it's become worse: the problem persist but sometimes even rebooting to Windows doesn't solve it anymore. When I try to find out what's going on using the Airport Utility, the program tells me "airport utility was unable to find any airport base stations". The only thing that helps in this case is resetting/unplugging my Airport Express and reconfiguring it.
The problems occur independently from the type of security I'm using. It's very annoying and disappointing, since my current high-end MBP has this problem and my previous mac (an iBook) never had it.

I'd like to alter my Airport Extreme/Airport Express wireless network so that the 3 Expresses connect to the Extreme via Ethernet. I've been told this will create a more stable wifi signal. How do I configure this using Airport Utility? Thanks.

I currently have an Airport Extreme Base Station connected to my DSL router by Ethernet. Because I have a long, sprawling home, I have 3 Airport Expresses configured to "Extend the Wireless Network" I've established. Because of my home environment--thick walls encompassaing wire mesh, sprawling rooms, etc., it is hard to maintain a continuously-strong, stable WiFi signal. I've been told that I can create a much more stable network by connecting the Express units to the AEBS via Ethernet cable. Since my home is already wired for Ethernet, I'm considering making this change. If I proceed to establish the Ethernet connections, how do I then set up Airport Utility to accomodate this switch from a Wireless-based WiFi network to an Ethernet-based WiFi network?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Phyllis

I don't see anyplace in the Utility to designate HOW the Express units are connected, only how they relate on the network to the Extreme,
As I mentioned in the previous post, when you click the Internet icon in AirPort Utility:
Connect Using = Ethernet (This tells each Express to connect to the Extreme using the ethernet connection)
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode) (This setting allows your AirPort Extreme to function as the "main" router on the network, as it must for the setup to work correctly.
You do not need to configure anything differently on the AirPort Extreme (as long as it is working correctly now) to connect the AirPort Express devices.
The only other question I have is the following: I'm currently already using one of the Ethernet ports on the back of the Extreme-- for my husband's iMac. I really don't think he gains much in performance over how the iMac would run through wifi, so I could disconnect the iMac. If you think the iMac would do better to stay on the Ethernet connection, should I use a switch/splitter to add an extra connection?
Since each AirPort Express must connect using ethernet, you will need to use the 3 LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme for the AirPort Express devices.
I would suggest that you try connecting the iMac using wireless to see if that will work. If the wireless connection is not satisfactory, then you can add a 5 port ethernet switch to one of the LAN ports on the Extreme and then plug all the devices connecting using ethernet....the iMac and the 3 AirPort Express devices...into the remaining 4 ports on the switch. That will leave you with 2 open ports on the AirPort Extreme for any future devices that may need to connect.
When you test out the system, here is a trick to find out which device your computer is actually connecting to at any given time as it "roams" around the house.
When you have AirPort Utility open to configure each AirPort Express, jot down the AirPort ID for each Express. You can do the same for the AirPort Extreme.
As you move around with your laptop, hold down the option key on your Mac keyboard while you click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID. That is the AirPort ID of the device that the laptop is connected to at that time. it should also be the ID of the closest AirPort Express (or AirPort Extreme if the laptop is close to the Extreme at the time).
Let us know how things are working when everything is up and running.

Connect Asus Netbook (PC) to Mac Airport Express wireless network

I'm very happy with my PowerBook G4 but recently bought a Asus Netbook as a light weight travel option. Had problems connecting the Netbook to my home AirPort Express system - it's set up as a wireless connection to PowerBook G4.
The Netbook asked for the AirPort password, but then wouldn't accept it. The Apple phone support people tried to be helpful but thought that changing my Wireless Network password would help. It didn't.
Eventually I found a good article that explained the Netbook actually wanted the Mac/Airport WEP key, even though it asked for a 'password'. The article also explained where to find the WEP key on the Mac, and that I had to uncheck the box on the Netbook that says something like 'The key is provided via 802.1x authentication'.
Not sure if I'm allowed to post the address to that article, but will attempt to do so here:
htpp://www.macwindows.com/airportpc.html
Hope this helps someone else.

Hello MacNet2. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
PCs, like Macs, can access wireless networks that use a number of encryption standards: WEP, WPA, WPA2, 802.1x.
WEP is the oldest standard and is no longer considered secure. Your new Asus should support the newer WPA & WPA2 standards. Both are not only significantly more secure, but are also easy to work with when using mixed OS clients. Both the older 802.11b/g or newer 802.11n version of the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) support all of these standards.
Is there some reason that you wireless network is still using WEP?

Airport Express wireless network works fine, but won't connect to Internet

I had a power outage and since then my Airport Express doesn't connect to the Internet although everything else seems to work. I can see the AE just fine in the Airport Utility. My computer connects to the wireless network provided via the AE, so does my iPhone, so does my wireless printer, and I can print wirelessly from the computer to the printer, so the AE's wireless networking is working. If I directly connect my computer to the ethernet connection that I use for the AE, it connects to the Internet, so I have wired connectivity to the Internet. But somehow, I can't get to the Internet using the wireless network of the AE. Any suggestions on what I should try next?

Hi there,
Try to reset your Airport Express (AX), y pressing the little dot on the back of device. Keep pressed for some seconds until it flashes. Start then your Airport Utility and go through the setup process again. This will reset your whole wireless network. This may work for you. Good luck.

Xbox 360 does not connect to Airport Express wireless network

I'm at my wits ends. I got a my son a wireless adapter for Christmas and for the life of me cannot get it to work. We have looked at all the discussion forums on the internet and did A LOT of trial and error and still to connection. On one occasion the xbox 360 wireless adapter saw the network and once it tried to connect is dropped.
I have a Wii, two windows PC's, a printer and a PowerMac all connected to my wireless router. The xbox and the Airport Express both have the latest firm ware update.
These are some of the things I have noticed and tested:
1. Connection is Cable Modem>Vonage Router>Airport Express....wireless to Xbox360
2. I have taken the vonage router out to go
Cable Modem>Airport Express...wireless to Xbox360 and still no luck.
3. I was suspecting a double NAT and contacted Comcast to see if I could put the cable modem in bridge mode and they couldn't help me.
4. The network is open (no security)
5. The wireless adapter is a steady red...then when I tell it to find the network it drops out (LED turns off)
6. I have tried to see if I have a double NAT but tracing in the network utility does not show anything.
7. I have tried to place the Airport express in bridge mode and when I updated, it doesn't not come back up and I have to do a hard reset to communicate to it again.
8. There was one instance when the wireless adapter LED was green for about 15 secs and when we tried to connect it dropped out completely (no LED light).
9. I know it works because in the various forums I have read that people have it working.
I called xbox support and they were not very helpful...wouldn't even search similar cases...I have tried everything I could think of and I'm lost any assistance is appreciated.
Victor

Tesserax,
What is the make/model of the Comcast-provided modem? How about the Vonage router? Is this router also wireless? Finally, I assume that prior to introducing the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), the modem & Vonage router were working properly ... correct?
Thanks for your interest in helping me. To answer your questions:
1. The comcast make and model for the cable modem is Scientific American Model#DPX2203
2. The vonage router is ethernet hard wired connected between the cable modem and the apple express wireless route. The vonage router is model#VDV21-VD
3. With the exception of the wireless connection between the Xbox 360 and AX; everything works fine.
4. The AX is running Apple firm ware 6.3
In the discussion I have read of similar problems and have tried them all to no avail. I'm sure the is a fix to this problem because of people in the discussion groups have had the same issues. I don't suspect the wireless router because it has a steady red light and only turns off when we do the network test or scan for networks.
Victor

AIrport Express wireless network want to extend it with another airport

I have used the apple airport utility but when i go to add it does not see my other Airport express
Where do i need to set this up in the airport utlity.
Firmware are updated and am runner 10.5.5. The other Airport is found as a seperate netowk.
Thanks

Wireless Distribution System (WDS) - Main Base Station Setup
"Factory Reset" the AX Base Station(s)
o (ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044)
(Note: To facilitate setting up the base stations, place them in near proximity of each other during the set up phase. Also, be sure to jot down the Apple IDs of each of the base stations to be used in the WDS.)
Either connect to the AX's wireless network or temporarily connect directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then using the AirPort Utility (in Manual Setup) to make the following settings:
AirPort - Wireless tab
o Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
o Network Name: <existing AirPort Network Name>
o Radio Mode: 802.11b/g compatible
o Channel: 1
o Wireless Security: None
AirPort - WDS tab
o WDS Mode: WDS main
o Allow wireless clients (enabled)
o WDS Main: <MAC address of the Main Base Station>
o WDS Remotes: <use + to add Remote/Relay Base Station(s)>
Internet - Internet Connection tab
o Connect Using: AirPort (WDS)
o Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
o Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
o Connection Sharing: Share a public IP address
Wireless Distribution System (WDS) - Remote Base Station Setup
Either connect to the AX's wireless network or temporarily connect directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then using the AirPort Utility (in Manual Setup) to make the following settings:
AirPort - Wireless tab
o Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
o Network Name: <existing AirPort Network Name>
o Radio Mode: 802.11b/g compatible
o Channel: 1
o Wireless Security: None
AirPort - WDS tab
o WDS Mode: WDS remote
o Allow wireless clients (enabled)
o WDS Main: <MAC address of the Main Base Station>
Internet - Internet Connection tab
o Connect Using: AirPort (WDS)
o Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
o Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
o Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)

Need Help in Adding Win XP PC to my Airport Express wireless Network.

If you don't mind me asking, i've been having this same issue for months now... i'm trying to connect my sister's win xp pc wirelessly to my airport express downstairs that connects wirelessly to my new g4 ibook (and works flawlessly) with an airport express card pre-installed. i purchased a cheap wireless card with an antenna on the back for my sister's pc and it says a network bridge was established but it won't go online. any suggestions??
i've been having this issue for 3 + months and this forum has been of no help yet.
thanks
B

http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/windowsxp.html

Creating a Airport Express wireless network

I am trying to fix a problem with my network, is there a better way of doing it?
for the past 2/3 yrs, i have been connecting to my airport expresses (from a sony desktop pc) via a linksys "wireless-g USB adaptor) plugged into my usb port. (pc is so old, 6 yrs, that it only supports usb 1.0-read slow)
However, I also have a Linksys Wireless-G broadband router. Can i go from my sony desktop pc via ethernet, into the broad band router, then off to my airport expresses?
is this a better, or worst way of doing things.
the problem i am trying to fix, is that the signal quality from the wireless-g USB adaptor, to the airport expresses is poor and drops the signal all the time now..

Yes, you can connect your AE to your Linksys-G Broadband router.
Connect it likes this: Cable modem (I assume) <--->Linksys-G Routers (Wan Port)
Then connect your desktop to a LAN port on your Linksys.
Here's the tricky part. Configure your AE to the proper security settings (Join an existing network and security settings) PRIOR to configuring the security measures in your Linksys Router. Make sure the Network name and encryption type is the same on both, otherwise your AE will not connect to your Linksys after you enable the settings.
Once it's all connected, you'll be able to stream audio to your AE from iTunes. (Don't forget to restart your computer and/or Itunes after making the wireless configurations.
Clear as mud?

Extending airport express wireless network with another airport express

I am trying to set up another airport express to my existing airport express at home so I can extend the wireless range and also to connect my printer (to my second airport express) so I can have a shared wireless printer. Is this possible? If so, can someone assist me on how to set this up?
Thanks.

Try the following ...
AirPort Express Base Station (AX) - WDS Setup
"Factory Reset" the AX base stations
o (ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044)
(Note: To facilitate setting up the base stations, place them in near proximity of each other during the setup phase. Also record the Apple IDs of each base station that will included in the WDS as these will be required during setup.)
Main Base Station Setup
(Note: The AX connected to the Internet will be assumed to be the main base station in the WDS.)
Either connect to the AX's wireless network or by temporarily connecting directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then use the AirPort Admin Utility to make the following settings.
WDS Tab
1. Enable this base station as a WDS: main base station (checked)
2. Allow wireless clients on this base station (checked)
3. Click "+" to add Remote/Relay Base Stations.
3a. Select the Base Station that you want to be the WDS Remote/Relay.
3b. AirPort ID: <verify that this is the correct MAC address for the Base Station you are adding as a Remote/Relay.>
3c. Auto configure as a WDS remote base station (checked)
3d. Click "OK."
4. Verify that the Remote/Relay Base Station has been added to the list.
5. Click "Update," and then verify the settings for the Remote/Relay.
5a. Allow wireless clients on this base station (checked)
5b. New network name: <verify that this is the same as the network name as the main base station>
5c. TCP/IP: Configure using DHCP
5d. Base Station Password: <the Remote/Relay Base Station password>
5e. Confirm: <same as previous step>
5f. Click "OK."

IPod Touch suddenly no longer can connect to Wireless Network.

Hello, I have yet to find an answer to my problem so maybe you guys can help.
I have had my iTouch for at least 2 years and have never had a problem with it, and constantly used it to connect to the wireless network in our home.
However, starting two days ago, my iTouch can rarely detect the network (even when right next to the router) and if it does, it is unable to join because it loses the signal almost immediately. After much troubleshooting, (laptops connect fine, friends iTouch's connect fine) I have determined that something is wrong with mine.
The only thing I can think of that happened that day, was that night it had gotten extremely cold. (Montana, oh yay.) Could this have caused the malfunction?
Any insight would be appreciated!

Given that it got really cold and you brought it inside, condensation could have formed on the inside bits. Dump it in a bag of rice or a jar with those silica gel packages for a couple of days and see what happens.
If you still have problems connecting, try power cycling your router and resetting your touch's network settings.

PCs suddenly no longer see Airport Express wireless network - please help!

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