Airport Express Test or Diagnosis?

Question

Level 2

306 points

Airport Express Test or Diagnosis?

Is there a way to test my Airport Express - i.e. a hardware test or diagnostic check?

Lately, when waking both our household PowerBooks from sleep, the Airport icon in the menu bar is grayed out, even though we've specified in Preferences to connect specifically to our network.

Sometimes, my network name doesn't even appear in the menu of networks to choose from, even though the Express and cable modem are all green and appear to be operating correctly. Attempts to join my network, when the name does appear, is met with error messages saying "There was an error connecting to the network jp42".

When I unplug the ethernet cable from my cable modem and connect it directly to my PowerBook, the internet seems snappy and normal, leading me to believe my Comcast service and modem are fine.

How can I find out if my Airport Express is OK? The problem of these drop outs has begun only within the past few weeks.

Thanks for any help!

Posted on Sep 23, 2005 11:01 AM

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Answer 1

Henry B.

Level 9

78,731 points

Sep 23, 2005 11:06 AM in response to Joe P.

The Airport Express does its own internal diagnostic check when it powers up - and if your Airport Express powers up to either a flashing amber light or a solid green light, it "thinks" it is OK. That's it as far as diagnostic testing goes.

Based on the symptoms you describe, the most likely possibility is that you are experiencing interference from one or more neighboring wireless networks. Way down on the list of possible causes - a dying or defective wireless transmitter on the Airport Express (which, incidentally, its own internal diagnostic check won't be able to recognize).

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Answer 2

Joe P. Author

Level 2

306 points

Sep 23, 2005 11:11 AM in response to Henry B.

Thanks Henry. Anything I can do? I've checked neighboring wireless networks and made sure the channel I'm broadcasting on isn't already being used. Would enabling interference robustness help?

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Answer 3

Henry B.

Level 9

78,731 points

Sep 23, 2005 11:32 AM in response to Joe P.

It might - worth a try.

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Answer 4

Ray C.

Level 1

0 points

Sep 24, 2005 10:45 PM in response to Joe P.

After having my Airport Express since it's debut with no connection issues, over the past month or so I have experienced the same loss of network connection. Along with this I noticed an increase of wireless networks in my area (via the airport pull down).

I have found that by going into System Pref.> Network> show AirPort, click "configure"> in the "by default, join:" change from "automatic" to "preferred networks" > click the "Assist me" button and run Diagnostics. You maybe asked to input your network name & password.

I have not experienced the problem since.

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