HT201506: AirPort: Joining an encrypted WEP or WPA Wi-Fi network

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vidpixarts

Q: Airport Extreme Model A1143 Works fine. Connected Airport Express # a1084 AFTER Airport Utility v 6 upgrades.Worked Fine. Unplugged Express for awhile and now cannot reconnect it to network. Used to be recognized by MAC and IOS airport Utility.

I have an Airport Extreme Model A1143. Works fine. Connected Airport Express Model A1084 AFTER Airport Utility v 6 upgrades.Worked Fine.Could, for example play music from IOS devices by selecting the airport express.  Unplugged Airport Express for awhile and now cannot reconnect it to network. Used to be recognized by MAC and IOS airport Utility. And I can't remember how I connected it in the first place. As I say, I connected the airport express after the Airport Utility version 6. (I always got message that this unit was not supported by the current airport utility software. But I did do it with no hacks and the like.Can't remember if I started a new network etc.  One wrinkle: I did upgrade airport utility recently to 6.2 before plugging int he airport express. The Mac's airport Utility doe snot even show the airport express. The IOS airport utility says the device was previouisly part of my network. Check it is still in range etc. Or click to forget the device.  Appreciate the help. Just want to hook up an older airport express that is recognized by iOS 6 and does not show up on Mac's airport utility. Thanks.

PS: Running Mac osx 10.8.2.

Posted on Feb 13, 2013 6:04 PM

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Q: Airport Extreme Model A1143 Works fine. Connected Airport Express # a1084 AFTER Airport Utility v 6 upgrades.Worked Fine. Unplugge ... more

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  • by edex67,

    edex67 edex67 Feb 14, 2013 12:02 AM in response to vidpixarts
    Level 4 (3,250 points)
    Feb 14, 2013 12:02 AM in response to vidpixarts

    http://macintoshdesktop.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/airport-utility-56-and-mountain-l ion.html

    You need to install version 5.6 to configure the A1084 Express.

  • by JoeMY,

    JoeMY JoeMY Feb 14, 2013 3:23 AM in response to edex67
    Level 1 (120 points)
    Feb 14, 2013 3:23 AM in response to edex67

    Even under 6.2 you should be able to at least see but not configure the older AEX.  Try reset on both devices and reconfigure if that may fix your issue.

  • by edex67,

    edex67 edex67 Feb 15, 2013 12:51 AM in response to JoeMY
    Level 4 (3,250 points)
    Feb 15, 2013 12:51 AM in response to JoeMY

    Ah, I missed the part of the post where he said "doesn't see".

  • by JoeMY,

    JoeMY JoeMY Feb 15, 2013 3:42 AM in response to edex67
    Level 1 (120 points)
    Feb 15, 2013 3:42 AM in response to edex67

    Have the advantage here since happen to have the old 802.11g AEX.  Took it out from storage and powered up on the network to confirm it is visible and properly join the other Airports

  • by vidpixarts,

    vidpixarts vidpixarts Feb 15, 2013 8:40 AM in response to edex67
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Feb 15, 2013 8:40 AM in response to edex67

    Thanks for reply edex67 and JoeMY:

     

    CORRECTION: Here is a CORRECTION ON MY PART. I DO SEE THE AIPORT EXPRESS. Apologies for the error.

     

    REGARDING THE HACK AND AUTOMATOR: I am aware of the hack that is avilable to extract the installer for Airport Utility 5.6. I am reluctant to go that route because Apple will keep going forward with upgrades and it seems proudent to move forward with 'them that make the product'.

     

    Update: I also am aware that you can downlaod the current version for windows. And then you should be able to configure if you have a windows system. I happen to have an older Windows system and did the download. But it only works with Windows on Windows 7. My system is xppro.

     

    Update: Mac Tech support. They told me I just can't make it work with the current version of Airport Utility--firmware for Aperture Express simply too old for this Airport Utility software. Also said I must have "just gotten lucky" when I was able to make it work with the first version of the 6 updates. They were not certain if the update to Airport Utility I installed BEFORE I plugged the AE back in was the cause. They sounded more like I was just lucky the first time.

     

    Created a new network with the aiport express.Update: Here is what I did this morning? Wifi listed in Sytem Preferences under Network, said it was connected. But I was NOT  connected. Could not connect to anyting.

     

    In the menu bar, the wifi icon showed everything for the new airport express (when using the option key)that it shows on my normal network. Ad there is a full RADIO SYMBOL on the tool bar suggesting connection.

     

    Then switched back to normal network with AIRPORT EXTREME and it works as usual.

     

    You could say I am getting mixed messages. Network preferences says wifi is connected with the AE network but thereis no connection

     

    I am going to keep looking under the hood. If I get anywhere I will report back.

    I am gratefu for all responses.

  • by edex67,

    edex67 edex67 Feb 15, 2013 8:46 AM in response to vidpixarts
    Level 4 (3,250 points)
    Feb 15, 2013 8:46 AM in response to vidpixarts

    REGARDING THE HACK AND AUTOMATOR: I am aware of the hack that is avilable to extract the installer for Airport Utility 5.6. I am reluctant to go that route because Apple will keep going forward with upgrades and it seems proudent to move forward with 'them that make the product'.

     

    It isn't. AirPort Utility 6.x is useless once you have version 5.

     

     

     

    Update: I also am aware that you can downlaod the current version for windows. And then you should be able to configure if you have a windows system. I happen to have an older Windows system and did the download. But it only works with Windows on Windows 7. My system is xppro.

     

    Update: Mac Tech support. They told me I just can't make it work with the current version of Airport Utility--firmware for Aperture Express simply too old for this Airport Utility software. Also said I must have "just gotten lucky" when I was able to make it work with the first version of the 6 updates. They were not certain if the update to Airport Utility I installed BEFORE I plugged the AE back in was the cause. They sounded more like I was just lucky the first time.

     

     

     

    This version works with XP: http://support.apple.com/downloads/AirPort_Utility_5_4_1_Windows (also, you should begin moving over to Windows 7/8 if you still require Windows as XP will be obsolete in 2014).

    You can't make the Express work with the current version. It isn't supported. If you try and configure it, it won't work. There is no luck there, it just won't work. Blame Apple for this "planned obsolecence".