HT202192: Wi-Fi base stations: How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes

Learn about Wi-Fi base stations: How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes
bilVt
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Q: Cannot find airplay 1st gen airport from new network

I have just installed a new 2nd generation Airport Express as my base station wifi router and created a new network. When I scan for my old airplay airport express my utility does not see it even after rebooting. I would like to change its' client settings to join my new network. How can I do this? Or 1st gens incompatibile with 2nd gens?

Airport express, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Apr 10, 2013 11:27 AM

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bilVt

Q: Cannot find airplay 1st gen airport from new network

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Apr 10, 2013 12:08 PM in response to bilVt
    Level 10 (105,243 points)
    Wireless
    Apr 10, 2013 12:08 PM in response to bilVt

    Or 1st gens incompatibile with 2nd gens?

    1st Gen and 2nd Gen are compatible.

     

    Maybe we need to check the model number on the side of your 1st Gen AirPort Express. It's in the hard to see faint print, and will begin with an "A".

     

    Please post back on your results.

  • by bilVt,

    bilVt bilVt Apr 10, 2013 12:26 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 10, 2013 12:26 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    A1084

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Apr 10, 2013 1:17 PM in response to bilVt
    Level 10 (105,243 points)
    Wireless
    Apr 10, 2013 1:17 PM in response to bilVt
    A1084

     

    That....explains one question.

     

    A1264 is a 1st Gen AirPort Express. A1084 is an older version that was in use before Apple began to use the Generation designation with "n" wireless products.

     

    Your original post indicated that you were using OS X 10.6.8. AirPort Utility in that version will work with the older A1084 Express.

     

    If you have updated to Lion or Mountain Lion.....AirPort Utility in those operating systems no longer supports the older AirPorts. You need to use another Mac that is running an earlier version of the operating system to be able to "see" your older AirPort Express.

     

    Or, a possible workaround might be to install an older version of AirPort Utility on Lion or Mountain Lion. This is not supported by Apple, so it may or may not work for you.

     

    See this thread by forum expert Tesserax for details if you want to give this a try:

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/21397085#21397085

  • by bilVt,

    bilVt bilVt Apr 10, 2013 1:27 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 10, 2013 1:27 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    But I am running Snow Leopard currently. If I reset up my old airport express and network which is also an A1084 it sees it.

     

    So in other words my new airport has just made my old airplay airport obsolete without haveing to use an extraordinary work around.

     

    My new iMac just arrived becasue my "old" 2006 version was unsupported and I was trying to get everything in working order before transferring everything. Bummer

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Apr 10, 2013 1:43 PM in response to bilVt
    Level 10 (105,243 points)
    Wireless
    Apr 10, 2013 1:43 PM in response to bilVt

    Use AirPort Utility on Snow Leopard to configure the "old" AirPort Express and it will work with the new Express on the same network.

     

    The rub is that you will not be able to make any changes to the old AirPort with the new operating system on the new Mac. If you find that you need to make changes on the "old" AirPort Express, then that might be the time to try the workaround.

     

    The workaround took me all of 5 minutes to install. If you've never done something like this, it might take you 10.

  • by bilVt,

    bilVt bilVt Apr 10, 2013 2:12 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 10, 2013 2:12 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    That's the thing. The Snow Leopard Airport Utility does not see the airplay Airport. I've hitting the reset button on the back rebooting and still the Utility on the old mac does not see it.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Apr 10, 2013 2:37 PM in response to bilVt
    Level 10 (105,243 points)
    Wireless
    Apr 10, 2013 2:37 PM in response to bilVt

    Are you performing the reset this way?

     

    Power off the AirPort Express

    Wait a minute

    Hold in the reset button first, and keep holding it for 9-10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the Express back in to power

    Release the reset button after the hold period and allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light

     

    Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for Apple Network xxxxxxx to log on. No password is required. This is how your Mac communicates to the Exprress so that you can reconfigure it. You may still be asked if you want to "switch" networks. Yes, you do.

     

    If you are still having difficulty, connect an Ethernet cable from your Mac to the Express.

     

    If you try the Factory Default Reset as detailed above 3-4 times and AirPort Utility still cannot find the Express, the Express has a problem, and will need to be replaced. On average, the Express will work for 4-5 years.