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Can my airport express join my network via Belkin Router?

What's up everyone?

I have a question regarding my apple airport express. Is there any way to get this my airport express to join my belkin network? My current network is being run by my Belkin N Wireless Modem-Router(model# F5D8633au4A)and i can't seem to get my airport to join it properly. Everytime i try to install it, it seems to mess with the signal my laptop gets and the AEX doesn't even connect to the network. The best i've gotten is it shows up on itunes, but i can't select the remote speakers.

For now, i just want my AEX to be able to join wirelessly so i can use airtunes, but would it also be possible to set it up so that i can plug my xbox into it so it can go online?

Anyone have any experience setting up the AEX with a belkin router?

Windows Vista

Posted on Jun 30, 2008 8:26 PM

Reply
7 replies

Jul 1, 2008 4:27 AM in response to carlosmiguel

Hi:
I do not have a Belkin router, but have basically the same problem using a Linksys 54G 802.11n router.

I can setup my HP laptop/printer/router as a wirelss network, but cannot get my AE to join that network as a client, wirelessly. IF, I have an Ethernet cable connected from the router to the AE, I can configure the AE, get the solid green LED on it, etc., and play music out of external speakers, but all falls apart whn I disconnect the Ethernet cable from the router to the AE, even though Airport Utility has things setup as a wireless connection.

Have you tried setting up an Apple ad-hoc network from the PC/laptop to the AE and speakers ? See if you can do that. If so, you can play music wirelessly thru the AE/speakers from iTunes (the LED will be a flashing Amber). The trick is that you have to wait about 1-2 minutes duing the config in order for the AE to establish the connection where it (the ad-hoc network) shows up in your system tray network list, when the icon is clicked. The Appel ad-hoc network will have a name like Apple XXXXXX, where the XXXXXX are 6 (of the 12) digits from the AE's MAC address (listed on its label).

If this works, my guess is that the AE is OK, and the problem is getting your AE to join your already existing Belkin network (in my case, LinkSys network).
I was at one of "Apple Genius Bars" last night probing this problem, and they feel that this is most likely a compatability problem between the AE and non-apple routers...though I do not feel that there should be a problem, or they shouldn't be selling the product claiming that it works with non-apple products.

The guys at Apple suggested that I call Apple for Tech Support at:
1-800-APL-CARE (1-800-275-2273)
There shouldn't be a charge, though the guys at the Genius Bar said that if they try to charge, to raise a big stink over the phone since the
Apple product is not working as claimed !

Another issue: What level of encryption are you using with your router ?
WEP-64, WEP-128, WPA, WPA2 ???
This greatly affects how easy (or hard) it is to add the AE to your existing network. From what I have learned, the lower the level of encryption, the harder it is to add the AE to the network, since it is an older, less-capatible standard.

Let me know if you find any answers...

DaleB

Jul 8, 2008 4:25 PM in response to carlosmiguel

I too have a Belkin router and same problem. My setup is Mac G4 desktop with no wireless card hooked to my belkin and the internet. A macbook with wireless and a dell laptop with wireless. Both laptops easily found the Belkin and my network. And at one point I was using my itunes on my mac laptop to wirelessly link to the itunes library on my G4 and play my music through my stereo in the other room. I purchased an airport express off of ebay figuring I wouldn't have to turn on my Macbook to do this. I didn't have an extra ethernet cable so I configured the airport express with my macbook wirelessly using aiport setup assistant. I was able to give the express after hard booting it. Then gave it a new name and added it to my network using the setup assistant. It all worked and both G4 and Macbook itunes were able to play in my stereo. But as I shut down just the computers the light on the express stayed green but after 2 hours or so it loses connection everytime. I'm guessing I'll have to go by an ethernet cable and connect it directly to my router. Or set up my router to recognize all the things in my network by their mac id's? Any suggestions?

Jul 29, 2008 6:43 PM in response to francoisvlogg

I was testing the AEX in the same room as my computer and router when it wouldn't connect. I finally gave up and decided to connect it wired in my garage (where I planned to use it). But after getting all the wiring done - just before connecting it - I found that the AEX had successfully connected to my Belkin router. So I used it that wirelessly for several hours for Airtunes. But it would unexpectedly disconnect periodically. Maybe it was a signal strength problem. So I ended up connecting the wires after all.

Aug 5, 2008 7:40 AM in response to carlosmiguel

I just managed to make it works.
Airport Express (AirTunes + Ethernet Cable to join Local Area Network, not WAN) to join existing wireless network of Belkin F5D7230-4 router. 2 routers in 2 locations.
Hi, I made mine works in this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1635595&tstart=0

I'll post it here again:

Configuring the Belkin F5D7230-4:
1. Type 192.168.2.1 in Safari to set up the Belkin Router
2. Enable Wireless Bridging http://www.edrian.com/web/router_bridge.png
3. Security - WPA/WPA2 http://www.edrian.com/web/router_wpa2.png

Configuring the Airport Express:
1. Launch Airport Utility in Application/Utilities
2. Choose Manual Setup (To be safe and easier)
3. Name it, password it. http://www.edrian.com/web/airport1a.png
4. Join a wireless network, WPA/WPA2. http://www.edrian.com/web/airport1b.png
5. Go to Internet (tab on top), change nothing. http://www.edrian.com/web/airport2.png
6. Go to Music (tab on top), tick "Enable AirTunes". http://www.edrian.com/web/airport3.png
My Summary: http://www.edrian.com/web/airport1.png

Done.

My experience was having error after restarted the AirPort Express, too complicated setting. Please note that you have to HOLD 5 sec until the light blinks in order to reset AirPort Express. You can try Automatic Setup, just remember the rules stated above.

Thanks to many sources to make this possible.

Can my airport express join my network via Belkin Router?

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