ErnStu

Q: AirPort- Amber flashing?

I have set up my AirPort Express and am stuck with flashing amber status light. As you can see the whole thing was setup correctly, and it says it should be working, but it isn't. I should also add that I am using it to extend my AirPort Extreme so that Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire house. It has worked before but stopped working and I am now trying to get it up and running again. I have an ethernet cable connected from my AirPort Extreme into the Express which I wasn't too sure if I should have or not. Any help would be appreciated, ErnestScreen Shot 2012-12-30 at 12.00.53 PM.png

AirPort Express Base Station

Posted on Dec 29, 2012 5:10 PM

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Q: AirPort- Amber flashing?

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Dec 30, 2012 1:49 AM in response to ErnStu
    Level 9 (54,874 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 30, 2012 1:49 AM in response to ErnStu

    Based on the image provided, your AirPort Express is NOT extending the AirPort Extreme. Instead, it is configured to join the Extreme's wireless network.

     

    Please double-check your settings by taking a look at this Apple Support article on how to configure an extended wireless network with two or more 802.11n AirPorts.

  • by ErnStu,

    ErnStu ErnStu Dec 30, 2012 8:53 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2012 8:53 PM in response to Tesserax

    Is this page slightly out of date? I am not given an option in the drop-down menu from 'Wireless Mode' to 'Extend a network', should I be choosing 'Join a wireless network'?

  • by ErnStu,

    ErnStu ErnStu Dec 30, 2012 8:56 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2012 8:56 PM in response to Tesserax

    And if I'm supposed to choose 'Participate in a WDS Network', that also doesn't work. Maybe I should change some of these settings?Screen Shot 2012-12-31 at 3.55.50 PM.png

  • by ErnStu,

    ErnStu ErnStu Dec 30, 2012 8:57 PM in response to ErnStu
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2012 8:57 PM in response to ErnStu

    This is what it says if I try itScreen Shot 2012-12-31 at 3.56.57 PM.png

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Dec 30, 2012 9:24 PM in response to ErnStu
    Level 10 (105,398 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 30, 2012 9:24 PM in response to ErnStu

    Is this page slightly out of date? I am not given an option in the drop-down menu from 'Wireless Mode' to 'Extend a network', should I be choosing 'Join a wireless network'?

    What is out of date is your AirPort Express. You have an older version of the product which is not capable of being configured to "Extend a wireless network".

     

    You need a newer version of the Express to be able to configure the Express to do what you want.

  • by ErnStu,

    ErnStu ErnStu Dec 30, 2012 9:28 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2012 9:28 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    But I have had it working before so that's not right

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Dec 30, 2012 9:47 PM in response to ErnStu
    Level 10 (105,398 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 30, 2012 9:47 PM in response to ErnStu

    As forum expert Tesserax has already posted, your Express can "join" a network. It cannot "extend" it because the version of Express that you have does not have an "extend" setting. You have verified this yourself in your posts.

     

    Sorry, but you are mistaken if you think that it was "extending" in the past....because it was not.

     

    If it was, your setting would have looked like this:

     

     

    Screen Shot 2012-12-30 at 11.36.23 PM.png

  • by ErnStu,

    ErnStu ErnStu Dec 30, 2012 10:04 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2012 10:04 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I don't know if this is significant at all but at one point in the Express' life I was using it to connect to the internet for my PS3. My PS3 wouldn't connect to my Wi-Fi so instead I connected my PS3 up to the Express using an Ethernet cord, which worked.

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Dec 30, 2012 10:27 PM in response to ErnStu
    Level 10 (105,398 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 30, 2012 10:27 PM in response to ErnStu

    But when you did this, the Express was not providing any additional wireless coverage, because it does not "extend a wireless network" when it is configured to "join a wireless network".

     

    Your computer "joins" a wireless network the same way. The computer does not provide any additional wireless coverage when it "joins", it simply receives the signal.

     

    You need a newer version of the AirPort Express if you want to be able to configure it to "extend a wireless network".

     

    You have a Model Number A1084 or A1088. Check the side of the device to confirm.

     

    You need a Model Number A1264 or A1392, both of which can be configured to "extend a wireless network".

  • by ErnStu,

    ErnStu ErnStu Dec 30, 2012 10:32 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2012 10:32 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I understand, apologies for any annoyance in enlightening someone who knows nothing. I guess I'll be investing in a new Express then. Your correct, it was an A1088. Are there any other benefits in getting the newer ones?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Dec 31, 2012 6:12 AM in response to ErnStu
    Level 10 (105,398 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 31, 2012 6:12 AM in response to ErnStu

    The "new" Express will offer full "n" wireless speeds.