Please help, 2 days trying to set up Airport express

Question

Hi all
I hope someone can help.
Bought an Apple Airport Express mainly because I want to stream my iTunes music from my laptop to my amp & stereo system which is situated in same room as PC but too far away for wires etc.
I DO NOT need to have wifi internet thru my Express just music.
Laptop: Compaq Presario CQ70
OS: Windows Vista
Location: Greece
When I "simply plug in the express (as per Apple's instructions) I just cant get it to do anything, I cant find it on my wireless connections on PC, it doesnt reboot.
Sometimes it can be found on a scan, but mostly not, I have tried to set it up with the software & with an ethernet lead connected, this seems to work but then it kills my wireless internet connection??????????? Does anyone know why it does this. Then when I try to reconnect to that wireless connection with my PC it tells me that the settings are incorrect & do not match those of my PC & I have to delete that connection & make a new one & then I get my wireless internet back.
I have tried resetting the Express with a paper clip & still not successful.
I have seen some pictures on the net with a "extreme Base station" too do I need one of these too just to stream music??
I do hope someone can help as I have bought & installed a great new speaker set up on top of this room & so desperately want to try out my iTunes music on them.

Answer 1

Hi Lexvo. Thanx for getting back to me. Have answered your questions in red (hope it posts in red) & italic
If I understand it right, you already have a wireless network set up and now you want to add the Airport Extreme. I have a normal wireless router (Conn-x Thomson) & I want to add the Airport Express to stream music (NB I dont have an Extreme base station; refer to my initial post r.e do I also need an extreme or am I just ok with the Express, I ONLY WANT TO STREAM MUSIC)
In a nutshell:
With the Airport Configuration utility, you should be able to find the Express. The airport config utility only shows me a "rescan" button, all other dropdowns are pale grey & not selectable, I guess this happens until you "find" the base station. Then you can configure your Express by letting it join the existing network. I can only do this is if I hook up my PC - Express by ethernet & then do manual set up, but I did select "join an existing network" & it still cuts out my wireless internet. The Express is plugged in my wall & still flashing Amber even after 3hrs
What I think is happening:
I think what you are doing is kind of creating a separate wireless network. If you do so, you constantly have to switch between two networks. That's why your wireless internet connection looks to be disappeared. See above paragraph I dont think I am.
I assume you have a wireless router? (or modem/router?) Yes as above
Have a look at below taken from Apple Support & I have put what happens in red
Using AirPort Setup Assistant
Plug AirPort Express into a power outlet. I do this & it just sits there & flashes, I cannot find it anywhere on my PC. Apple gives the impression that this is just plug & play, but I am not getting that.
On your computer, join the wireless network created by AirPort Express. Cant be seen anywhere
Open AirPort Setup Assistant. Mac users: Find it in /Applications/Utilities/. Windows users: On the Start menu, point to All Programs and click AirPort. Yes but, the airport config utility only shows me a "rescan" button, all other dropdowns are pale grey & not selectable, I guess this happens until you "find" the base station.
When you see the Introduction screen, click Continue.
Select "Set up a new AirPort Base Station" and click Next.
When the AirPort Setup Assistant confirms that it has found your AirPort Express, click Continue. (If your AirPort Express wasn't found, click Try Again.)
Select "Connect to my current wireless network."