how to set up a network

I am trying to set up a network between 2 imacs(at home)

I can get them to work fine if both are turn on and running WI fi and Airport Express

But if i tun off one -mine the base unit- and leave the other one on it will show my network but it will not go on the internet

the beach ball runs and runs

My unit runs lion nd the other unit runs Snow Leopard

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on May 24, 2012 5:30 AM

Reply
8 replies

May 24, 2012 8:25 AM in response to akurwelnz7

Let's first verify that the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) is providing a Wi-Fi network that has Internet access.

I would recommend that you do the following as a minimum:

  • Power-down the modem, AirPort base station, and computer(s).
  • Disconnect the AirPort base station from the Internet broadband modem.
  • While all of the devices are powered-down, perform a "factory default" reset on the base station. This will get it back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration and make setting it up much easier, especially if you use the "Assist me" process within the AirPort Utility. (ref: Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule)
  • After the base station resets, go ahead and power it back down.
  • Reconnect the AirPort base station to the Internet broadband modem. For the Extreme and Time Capsule, be sure to connect the cable to the base station's WAN (circle-of-dots) port.
  • Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it adequate time to initialize.
  • Power-up the AirPort base station; wait at least 5-10 minutes. Note: The AirPort's status light may continue to flash amber after it has intialized. That is because, there may be some additional configuration items necessary, like setting up wireless security, before the overall setup is completed to get a green status.
  • Power-up your computer(s).

In this basic configuration, the AirPort base station will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name (SSID) of Apple Network NNNNNN. Network clients, connected to the base station either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the ISP's modem. Once Internet connectivity has been verified, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the base station for wireless security and any other desired options. Please post back your results.

May 24, 2012 11:00 AM in response to Tesserax

Sir

I think I was not quite clear

I have 2 computers that I have set up when the unit I use for myself I can get on the internet with no problem

and the other uniy will get on also with no problem

It is when I turn my unit off the other unit shows that it has a connection but when I try to get on the internet

the unit hangs up

The info you sent me was helpful but it did solve the problemOr for short when units A and B are on together there is no problem but when unit A is shut down B will not go on the internet

Thank You


Al Kurwelnz

May 24, 2012 8:33 PM in response to akurwelnz7

Ok, you basically have two choices:

  1. Use Internet Sharing as you currently are doing. This would mean the computer that is sharing the Internet must stay on for the other computer to have Internet access. This is the way it supposed to work.
  2. Get a USB wireless adapter for the computer that doesn't currently have wireless. Then both computers can connect to the wireless network provided by the Express.

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how to set up a network

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