Tango5
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Q: AirPort Express

I want to connect a PC that has no wireless capabilities to my "all Mac" house.  I have the AirPort Extreme for my wireless router.  Can I use the AirPort Express connected to my PC, through the USB, in order to connect to the network?

Posted on Jan 29, 2012 1:48 PM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,448 points)
Wireless
A:

Did you enable the option to "Allow this network to be extended" on your main Apple wireless router?

 

AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Wireless tab

Enter a check mark in the box next to "Allow this network to be extended".

 

The Express will not "extend" until the "main" Apple wireless router allows it to do so.

 

You do have an Apple wireless router as your "main" device.....correct?

Posted on Jan 29, 2012 5:15 PM

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Q: AirPort Express

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 29, 2012 1:57 PM in response to Tango5
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 29, 2012 1:57 PM in response to Tango5

    Can I use the AirPort Express connected to my PC, through the USB, in order to connect to the network?

    No....since the USB port on the AirPort Express will only support a printer.

     

    But, you could configure the AirPort Express to "Join a wireless network" or "Extend a wireless network" and then connect the PC to the Ethernet port on the Express, assuming that the port is working on the PC, of course.

  • by Tango5,

    Tango5 Tango5 Jan 29, 2012 2:00 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 29, 2012 2:00 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    So, it can be done.  But I have to use the ethernet output on the express and plug that into the ethernet input on the PC?  Seems like a simple question, but I just want to make sure this is possible before I buy it.  Also, it says that it works with Windows XP and Vista, will it work with Windows 7?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 29, 2012 2:13 PM in response to Tango5
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 29, 2012 2:13 PM in response to Tango5

    But I have to use the ethernet output on the express and plug that into the ethernet input on the PC?

    Correct

     

    Seems like a simple question, but I just want to make sure this is possible before I buy it.

    It's done all the time

     

     

    Also, it says that it works with Windows XP and Vista, will it work with Windows 7?

     

    I know of no information that says it would not work on Windows 7, but have not tried it myself. I would be very surprised if it worked on XP and Vista and not 7.

     

    If you have another Apple router providing your wireless network now, you can configure the Express to "Extend a wireless network" and it will provide more wireless coverage and the Ethernet port is enabled.

     

    If you do not need more wireless coverage, or you will be using the Express with another wireless router from another manufacturer, then you would configure the Express to "Join a wireless network" and check the option to "Enable Ethernet Clients" to activate the Ethernet port.

  • by Tango5,

    Tango5 Tango5 Jan 29, 2012 2:15 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 29, 2012 2:15 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Great, thank you!  I believe that I will only have to extend the network since I already have the extreme providing the signal.  Thank you again!  I'll be back if I mess this up!!  hahaha

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 29, 2012 2:20 PM in response to Tango5
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 29, 2012 2:20 PM in response to Tango5

    Apple's instructions to do this are here:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259

     

    The illustration shows another AirPort Extreme, but the setup for an Express would be exactly the same.

     

    Everything assumes that the Express is located where it can receive a good wireless signal.

  • by Tango5,

    Tango5 Tango5 Jan 29, 2012 4:06 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 29, 2012 4:06 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    So it's telling me that I cannot extend the wireless network.  It should have a good signal, as I am typing on my macbook that is in the same room with the PC.  Any suggestions??

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 29, 2012 5:15 PM in response to Tango5
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 29, 2012 5:15 PM in response to Tango5

    Did you enable the option to "Allow this network to be extended" on your main Apple wireless router?

     

    AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Wireless tab

    Enter a check mark in the box next to "Allow this network to be extended".

     

    The Express will not "extend" until the "main" Apple wireless router allows it to do so.

     

    You do have an Apple wireless router as your "main" device.....correct?

  • by Tango5,

    Tango5 Tango5 Jan 29, 2012 5:31 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 29, 2012 5:31 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    That did the trick!!  Thank you very much!  My kids are now up and running on their new (old to me) PC.  Thanks again!

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 29, 2012 5:49 PM in response to Tango5
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 29, 2012 5:49 PM in response to Tango5

    Glad you got things going.