Q: Problems with Airport Express and Extreme

My goal is to wirelessly stream music from my computer to a speaker on my back porch.  Both AirPorts are 802.11n models.

I was able to get the process, at least, started again by resetting the Extreme.  When I proceeded, for what amounted to the third time, I clicked on the option to establish a new network (the other occasions I clicked on the add to existing network).  I now have new networks, but I am still thwarted at the end of the process when it checks for existing AirPorts--it says none can be found (after the device was intially found at the beginning of the process.)  Also, the Extreme keeps blinking amber.  Again, on every occasion, I get to the end of the process and then, kablooey--it can't find the device.

Thanks for your reply.

I'll give you a more specific description of what I have done thus far:

I first bought AirPort Express, and when I first plugged it in-- after following the specified procedures--my laptop recognized it via AirPort Utility.  I followed all the procedures listed.  I also clicked on the option for getting it to work as an addition to the existing network. 

I continued the setup process and thought things were going swimmingly until a status bar popped up showing that AirPort Utility was checking for existing AirPort devices (please remember that AirPort Utility [APU] had earlier recognized that the device was there, thus allowing me to start to setup process in the first place).  It then said that no devices were found and, as a result, the whole setup process had to be aborted.  Additionally, I lost all wireless connection that I had previously, and I had to call Verizon to have that reestablished. 

When I tried to repeat the setup procedure, APU continually stated, right from the beginning this time, that no AirPort devices were found.  I called Apple Support and a woman gave me instructions that enabled me to wirelessly transmit to AirPort Express via hard wire from the modem.  However, when the ethernet cable was removed, the wireless ability failed.  She then stated that she believed that I would be able to get things to work by using AirPort Extreme, which uses ethernet to connect it to the router/modem.

I then bought AirPort Extreme and subsequently had the exact same setup problems that I listed in paragraphs two and three of above.  In other words, things went OK until the end when APU stopped recognizing Extreme.  I also lost my original wireless ability again and had to call Verizon again to have that reestablished. 

I then tried to set up AirPort Extreme again (this time after resetting Extreme-- which was the only way I could get APU to recognize it from the beginning), using the option to add a network.  The same problems occurred in that APU eventually stopped recognizing the Extreme toward the end of the setup process; however, I did not lose my original wireless connection that I had lost previously during these types of procedures.

I have not attempted to get Express to work with Extreme, because I can't get Extreme to work.

Summing this up, I would say that until I find out why APU eventually fails to recognize both of these devices, I'm not going to be able to do much.

Thanks for the links and your input--any additional ideas are welcome.

I should add that I am able to get through all the steps up to "Restarting the Modem".  This is where the failure always occurs.  According to what I have read and seen, this is actually the last step before setup is complete.

Could my problem be because I am using a Westell 327w, which I am told is a combo router/modem?

I previously did turn off the wireless function of the Westell, but the AirPort Extreme still was not recognized.  However, that may have been because it was before I reset the Extreme.  Maybe if I reset the Extreme, so that it is initially, at least, recognized by AirPort Utility, I will have more success with the subsequent setup (after I put the Westell in Bridge Mode).  Does this sound reasonable, especially in terms of explaining why I have had the aforementioned problems?  Thanks....

I am using 5.5.3 of AirPort Utility.

Thanks...

Thanks very much for your help... 

In the end, my problem was obviated by using my iPad to set up both devices, which now work very well.  Apparently, things communicate better between the Extreme and another Apple device.  However, the above instructions might be just the right thing for someone using Windows.