Purchased Airport Express- Do I need to upgrade OS?

I have wireless internet and wanted to secure it with a password. The reason is my neighbors who I don't like and don't get along with (to put it mildly)- have been jumping on my wireless signal and getting a free ride- which gets me mad. For the past couple of months i've been trying to secure my line with my verizon/ Westell router. I have no trouble connecting with the PC but when it comes to the Mac- the prompt box comes up with the message- "There was an error joining the network". I spoke with the techs and they said the router doesn't work with macs and I would be better off purchasing airport express to solve the problem.
I just purchased Airport Express and was looking at the box and noticed the fine print saying requires Mac OS X v10.4 or later. Do I actually have to update the OS or have others used it with no problem?
I've been reading other posts and finding out to upgrade to Tiger would be $125 for the OS system and my funds are limited. Any alternatives?
My setup is a ibook G4 with OS X 10.3.9.
Sorry for the long post but I wanted to explain my situation and hopefully provided enough information to work with. If you need more- let me know. All replies are greatly appreciated.
Thanks

OK,
I'm presuming that you can successfully see and connect to the router from the Mac when wireless security is off. This would rule out any issues with incorrect SSIDs, MAC filtering, DHCP disabled, etc.
So use WPA-PSK on the router, key your password in plaintext. There's a WPA Group Rekey Interval below the password field, default of 3600. No idea what it is, either leave it or set it to '0' which turns it off.
Using the default SSID is fine. Using a WEP password is not as secure as WPA if you have the NSA living next door, it's also a lot harder to setup on a Mac.
So you should be able to connect from the Mac, select the wireless network and ensure it prompts you for a WPA password - you can change the password type in the pop-up menu. And you should be good to go.
Otherwise it might be the Keychain.
Fire up Keychain Access, and immediately you're looking with an item with the name of your wireless network. There should be a description of "AirPort Network password" next to it. Select it and click the red delete button at the top. Then try to connect to the network again. Use plaintext password just like you keyed it on the router.
There is a small chance that this will still not work, that the AirPort software is still trying to connect to the network with an old (or no) password (no idea where it stores it, it's not in the keychain any longer), although this blights OSX 10.4 a lot more than 10.3. To try again and get round this, when you choose a network from the AirPort menu, select "Other..." rather than your network name. Then in the dialog box that pops up, select your network and the appropriate security - WPA Personal - and key your password.
If you have success let us know, if things don't work, post back everything that happened in the best detail you can and it there's nothing obvious we'll look at getting the AE to supply your wireless access.

Similar Messages

TS4597 I am using an Airport Extreme as my base station and I want to extend its range using a recently purchased AirPort Express. However neither device is showing up on my AirPort Utility on either my older MacBook Pro or my IPad 4. What do I do?

I am using an older AirPort Extreme as my base station and I want to extend the range by using a recently purchased AirPort Express. When I try to find either device using the AirPort Utilities function on either my new IPad 4 or my older MacBook Pro neither device is detected. However the utility is seeing that we are connected to the Internet which is through the Extreme. What am I doing wrong?

For now, leave the AirPort Express powered off.
Power off the entire network....all devices.....in any order that you want
Wait a few minutes
Power up the modem first, and let it run 2-3 minutes by itself
Power up the AirPort Extreme next, and let it run a full minute
Keep powering up devices one at a time about a minute apart until everything is powered up (leave the Express off for now)
Open AirPort Utility and check to see if the AirPort Extreme is visible.
If it's not, click the AirPort Utility menu at the upper left of the screen, then click About AirPort Utility. Post back with the version number of AirPort Utility that you see there....which should be AirPort Utility 5.6.1.
Post back on your progress.

Installing updated firmware to a newly purchased Airport Express

I recently purchased a new Airport Express and just got notice that there is a new firmware upgrade that should be applied. The information that came with the Express is not very forthcoming. I tried searching for information here in the forums on procedures for applying the upgrade but have notice a few folks having issues.
My guess is that I just connect it to the my macbook and download the update. Is there any steps I need to take.
Thanks in advance for all assistance.

By default, when you open the AirPort Utility, it will check to see if the AirPort device has the latest firmware ... and, if not, it will offer you an opportunity to upgrade it. The decision is totally up to you. If you don't want the utility to check each time, you can disable that option. (ref: AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > File > Preferences)

Airport Express for iTunes needs rebooting to be detected all the time

It seems that each time I reboot my macBook, my airport express needs to rebooted to be detected. I use it for streaming music only- not for internet access- and have it configured accordingly. It is connected to remote speakers and works perfectly when it has been rebooted but if I leave it on and have shut down the macBook the green light stays on but the newly rebooted computer doesn't detect the unit until I unplug it and reconnect. Anybody have any helpful info? Thanks in advance...

Is this message box indicating the Airport Express is re-connecting to your internet service and if so, is this Airport Express connected to a DSL internet service that uses the PPPoE protocol to connect? If so, run the Airport Admin Utility, select your Express, click on the Configure button, click on the Internet tab, and check the box to "always stay connected". Update settings to the Airport Express.

Airport Express extending network needs to be restarted daily

I'm having a really annoying problem with my Airport network. Here's the configuration:
Den: Latest generation simultaneous Dual-Band Airport Extreme
Living Room: older 802.11g Airport Express used only for AirPlay
Office: older 802.11n Airport Express wired to the Airport Extreme via ethernet, extending network
Hallway: 802.11n Airport Express wirelessly joining and extending network
Bedroom: Latest generation simultaneous Dual-Band Airport Express wirelessly joining and extending network
I have an older house which is not terribly big but the radio-opaque walls make it difficult to propogate wireless, thus the need for so many units.
It all works pretty well except for my bedroom Airport Express (simultaneous Dual-Band). On a daily basis it will lose connection with the network or go so painfull slowly that it's pointless. The only solution is to do a reboot of the unit which works temporarily (good connection / good speeds) My son likes to watch Roku in our bedroom and that Roku uses the WiFi that the Airport Express should provide. Needless to say troubleshooting wifi when your 3 year old is crying because he can't get 30 seconds of streaming before the signal craps out is not fun. Anybody have any suggestions???

"Hard reset" the bedroom Extreme to preclude the possibility that some corrupted internal parameter is limiting its performance. Consider doing that with all of them. They will subsequently need to be reconfigured.
Configure the den Extreme to provide a unique name for its 5 GHz network, and ensure all the devices capable of using it are using it, and not 2.4 GHz. Find out what your Roku is capable of using.
The key to solving problems, if your challenging requirements are solvable, is to start with as simple an installation as possible, then progressively add to it. Find out the maximum usable range of your den's Extreme in both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, then position any devices used to "wirelessly extend" its signal roughly half the distance to that Extreme - not a different base station. The ideal location for the Roku's Express may not necessarily be in the bedroom.
Run speed tests each time and make sure you are not trying to "extend" a weak signal. "Extending" a weak signal makes it stronger, but no faster that what it receives.
That's all you can do.
... I thought "N" networks minimized that problem.
You're right about that.
The thing is I get decent wireless reception in the bedroom WITHOUT the express plugged in.
I wonder if those devices are really using the Express you think they are. That's the problem with multiple base stations. There are ways of addressing this question but not with the current AirPort Utility version.

Ipod Hifi + Airport Express - Do I need a cable as well ??

Folks
I've just ordered an Ipod Hifi ( I hope they don't bring out a black one now! ) and an Airport Express from Amazon - much cheaper than Apple store.
I'd like to use Airtunes from my laptop via Airport Express and also have the Hifi connected up to an LCD TV to improve the sound.
Which connection cable do I need to order for here in the UK ?

Hi,
You need only one of the following cable for connection between Airport Express and iPod HiFi
1. For optical cable for Mini-Adapter
http://www.welovemacs.com/av2000106wht.html
2. For Analogue
analogue cable with minijack both ends
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/ipod-cable-kit.htm

How many Airport Express do I need?

I have my network setup in the basement. I would like to use AirTunes to listen music upstairs in the 3 bedrooms. Do I need 3 Airport Express?
Are there any Speakers that natively support AirTunes? Any other options?
Thanks

Welcome to the discussions!
There will need to be an amplifier and speakers or powered speaker arrangement connected directly to each AirPort Express, so the number of Express devices will depend on how many separate amp/speaker configurations you want to set up.
If you want speakers in each room, you will need 3 Expresses.
I'm not aware of a speaker system that is designed specifically for AirTunes. Virtually all small powered speaker systems use the same type of audio plugs and connections, so compatibility should not be an issue.
To insure that the Expresses will function well, I would also suggest that you take a laptop upstairs and try to connect to the internet to make sure that you have adequate signal strength in the areas where the Expresses will be located.
If you have an Apple(n) base station in the basement, you will also be able to configure the Expresses to "extend" the wireless network, which will give you much better wireless signal strength upstairs.

AirPort Express constantly restarting after firmware upgrade

Hello,
I have an AirPort Express that extends a wireless network created by a Time Capsule. They are identified by AirPort Utility 5.6 as "AirPort Express 802.11n" and "Time Capsule 802.11n (4th Generation)". The AirPort Express has worked properly for several years, but after updating the firmware to 7.6.1 a few weeks ago, it regurlaly hangs for a while, but works fine again for hours or days in between (so it isn't broken). The Time Capsule was upgraded to 7.6.1 at the same time and works without problems.
When the AirPort Express hangs, it's restarting itself all the time: the status light is solid amber for about a minute (starting up), then flashes two times amber (connecting), becomes green (ok) for half a second, and then solid amber again (restarting). This cyclic restarting can last for hours. Very strange behavior... During such cyclic restarting, it is on so shortly that it never shows up in AirPort Utility and it is impossible to connect and read the log file.
A factory default reset is possible and allows to configure it with AirPort Utility. But after reconfiguring, the AirPort Express entrers the cyclic restarting again. The same happens when configuring to join (instead of extend) the wireless network. After trying to factory-reset and reconfigure several times and finally letting it in its cyclic restarting for a while, it suddenly comes back on and will work again for several hours or even days (until the problem comes back again).
My next try will be to revert to firmware 7.6 (AirPort Utility 5.6 > Base Station > Upoad Firmware...). Any other ideas around?
P.S.
I didn't find several (advanced) functionalities of the original AirPort Utility (5.6) in the new version (6.x): for example "Upload Firmware", "Logs and Statistics", "Use dynamic global hostname", "Disconnect disk users", etc. I hope 5.6 will be available and maintained for a while...

At the next hang of the AirPort Express and after a factory reset, I tried to revert to firmware 7.6 (AirPort Utility 5.6 > Base Station > Upoad Firmware… > select firmware from a list of available versions). After a while, it failed with the following error message:
An error occurred while updating the firmware.
Make sure your Apple Wi-Fi base station is plugged in and in range of your computer or connected via Ethernet and try again. (-1)
The Airport express was hanging again. After another factory reset, the menu item Upload Firmware… didn't show available firmware versions anymore, but asked to open a file in a finder pane. Is this expected behaviour?
The event log of the Time Capsule shows the following entries during the cyclic restarting of the AirPort Express (which doesn't give me a clue about the cause of my problem):
Jun 20 19:07:19
Severity:5
Associated with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13
Jun 20 19:07:23
Severity:5
Deauthenticating with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13 (reserved 2).
Jun 20 19:07:23
Severity:5
Disassociated with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13
Jun 20 19:08:24
Severity:5
Associated with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13
Jun 20 19:08:28
Severity:5
Deauthenticating with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13 (reserved 2).
Jun 20 19:08:28
Severity:5
Disassociated with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13
Jun 20 19:09:27
Severity:5
Associated with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13
Jun 20 19:09:31
Severity:5
Deauthenticating with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13 (reserved 2).
Jun 20 19:09:32
Severity:5
Disassociated with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13
Jun 20 19:10:30
Severity:5
Associated with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13
Jun 20 19:10:34
Severity:5
Deauthenticating with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13 (reserved 2).
Jun 20 19:10:35
Severity:5
Disassociated with station 00:1f:f3:f4:bd:13
Does anybody have a suggestion what to try next? Any idea would be greatly appreciated!

I want to buy airport express, but i need to know if my sony smart tv can connect with it?, i want to buy airport express, but i need to know if my sony smart tv can connect with it?

i want to buy airport express for my ipad and iphone, but i need to know if my sony smart tv and my sister's phone can connect with it?

It would be difficult to guarentee that all wireless devices can connect to the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), so at best, your Sony Smart TV and your sister's phone SHOULD be able to connect ... as the AX is basically no different than any other manufacturers wireless router.

IPad + Airport Express - do I need WiFi?

Is it possible to stream music directly from the iPad through an Airport Express without having an existing WiFi router?

Ric Pike wrote:
Thanks Matt. Yes, the APE would be plugged directly into the receiver. The real debate was whether I would require another wireless router but it sounds like I won't.
Correct.
You need an iPad, an AirPort Express and cable to go from the audio outout of the AirPort Express to the input of the stereo.
Do you have to configure the APE using a computer?
No.
As mentioned, you can use the AirPort Utilitiy for iOS.
-> http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/airport-utility/id427276530?mt=8

How many airport expresses would I need for a 3000 square foot apartment with minimal walls?

The apartment is open-air style with minimal walls. I have two airport expresses currently and am wondering if this will be enough to cover the entire apartment? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

You'll get about 50ft @ (-6db), you'll get about 100ft @ (-12db), both of these are useable figures, beyond a 100ft it will be patchy
This assumes your AE is in free space, which it won't be as you need to plug into something, the more intersections (wall/ceilng wall/floor) the greater the chance of multipath rejection.
3000sq ft relatively empty of dividers is a good space, but I would use 2

AirPort Express base station needs frequent power-cycling

Hi, I've got an AirPort Express base station, roughly three years old at this point. Every so often I can't connect to the internet --- not wirelessly from my laptop, nor from the desktop that is cabled to the base station. The solution is to power-cycle the base station. Other, less drastic attempts to restore my internet connection never work.
This used to happen just every once in a while, but it's been increasing in frequency --- to the point where it happens almost every day now.
Anyone know what's going on? Time to take it in for service, or maybe time to buy a new one?

Thanks for the clarification. This will make troubleshooting somewhat easier.
Suggest that you pick a time when you can turn the wireless off on the AirPort Extreme for a few days. Keep as many things as possible connected using ethernet cables. If you find that you do not have to restart the AirPort Extreme daily as you do now, that's a pretty strong indication that the problems are being caused by wireless interference of some sort.
Remember that devices connected using ethernet and devices that are connected using wireless are all still on the same network. So, if the wireless is picking up stray interference, it can certainly affect other devices on the network, including loss of your Internet connection.
If you find that you still need to restart the AirPort Extreme with wireless turned off during your "test", then that narrows the possible issues down to several things:
o The modem is experiencing intermittent problems
o The AirPort Extreme is experiencing intermittent problems
Assuming that you know you have good ethernet cables, you can plug a computer directly into the modem for a day or two and keep tabs on things. If you continue to experience a connection loss, the modem is likely acting up.
If you have no problems connecting directly to the modem, then it's time to take the Airport Extreme to an Apple store to let them have a look and perform some diagnostics. If it's an intermittent problem, it will be hard to find, as the product will likely perform perfectly during the tests.

Streaming to Airport Express do I need a DAC

I'm streaming my music from my iPhone, iPad and Macbook pro to my airport express. This works fine for me but I feel
that the sound lacks quality.
I currently airplay all music to my airport express and this is connected to 2 amps. I have an output splitter connected to the analog output port
of the AE and the sound is sent to the two amps.
I've read up on various DAC's and I think I will invest in one low budget device, so that I can connect the AE to the DAC via the optical cable and then
run an analog cable to 1 one my amps (i can them link the feed from this amp to the other)
Has anyone had a similar situation and can someone recommend some DAC's for me? I've been looking at the Audio engine D1, Beresford
& Nu-force dac systems

Thanks, now we need a bit more information, please, in order to provide you with the correct information that you need.
I assume that you already have one AirPort Express.....either a model A1264 or A1392.....set up and operating OK, is that correct?
If yes, you can extend the network either by using wireless or an Ethernet cable with a second AirPort Express.....either the A1264 or A1392 model. A wired connection is the way to go, if possible, since it provides better performance. But, wireless might work OK for you if you want to try that.
Let us know "how" you want to extend......wireless or wired?

Airport Express not available anymore after upgrade to iTunes 12.1

I have Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 installed and did an iTunes upgrade from previous version to 12.1 . After the installation and restart I got the info that the 'Bonjour' service was stopped and I have to reactivate it again in the system settings. Having that done I still can't address the Airport Express speakers out of iTunes.
Any idea what I can do?

Hi Ranx64,
The article linked below details a number of troubleshooting steps that can help get AirPlay to work in iTunes on your computer.
iTunes: Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203822
Cheers,
Allen

I have a Time Capsule as my main WiFi router in my home. I'd like to extend my WiFi service to my guest house located approx 100 feet away. Will the AirPort Express fill this need? Is the AirPort Extreme a better fit?

I am using a Time Capsule in conjunction with my IMAC 27" system as my main WiFi router in my home. I would like to extend my WiFi service to my guest house which is located about 100 feet away. Can I use the Airport Express to provide this extended range? Would I be better served to use the Airport Extreme? Thanks!

The normal location for an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme is a point that is about half way between the main router....the Time Capsule in this case.....and the area that needs more wireless coverage.....the guest house.
I doubt that you will be able to locate an AirPort at this "half way" point, correct?
Before you buy anything, take a laptop, iPhone, iPad, etc out to the guest house as a test to see if you can log on and get a reliable Internet connection over the wireless.
If you can, then either an AirPort Express or AirPort Exreme could be used to provide additional wireless signal coverage in the guest house.
If you cannot get a reliable connection with the "test" mentionded above, neither AirPort will help since they can only "extend" the quality of signal that they receive.
If this is the case, you will need to look at running an Ethernet cable from the Time Capsule out to the guest house to provide the reliable connection that you will need.

Purchased Airport Express- Do I need to upgrade OS?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for