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marcyfromcamarillo

Q: I'm trying to set up my AirportExpress and don't know where to find the Network Security Key.  Can anyone help? Please!!

I just bought a new hp/windows 8.  Also bought Airport Express for my Wi Fi .  I'm quite confused.  I'm 70 and am having trouble getting set up.  I don't know where to find the Network Security Key.  Can anyone help me out please?  Thank you

AirportExpress, Other OS, New hp computer has Windows 8

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 11:46 PM

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Q: I'm trying to set up my AirportExpress and don't know where to find the Network Security Key.  Can anyone help? Please!!

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  • Helpful answers

  • by edex67,Helpful

    edex67 edex67 Jan 29, 2013 11:56 PM in response to marcyfromcamarillo
    Level 4 (3,250 points)
    Jan 29, 2013 11:56 PM in response to marcyfromcamarillo

    The network security key is the password for your WiFi network.

  • by marcyfromcamarillo,

    marcyfromcamarillo marcyfromcamarillo Jan 30, 2013 12:08 AM in response to edex67
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2013 12:08 AM in response to edex67

    Thank you for that, however since I still can't get my WiFi to work (that's my Airport Express) I haven't any idea what that password is.  What am I missing?

  • by edex67,Helpful

    edex67 edex67 Jan 30, 2013 8:52 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo
    Level 4 (3,250 points)
    Jan 30, 2013 8:52 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo

    Where are you seeing this message? Can you show me a screenshot of where you see this?

  • by marcyfromcamarillo,

    marcyfromcamarillo marcyfromcamarillo Jan 30, 2013 9:17 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2013 9:17 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo

    edex67

     

    Okay.  I plugged everything into the AirportExpress base box.  I plugged into the power.  I tried to sign on by turning the WiFi option and a box requesting the Network Security Key came up (which I still can't find).

     

    In searching the other community responses and online searching for how to find my Keychain Access/Applications folder, I determined I need to find that Keychain Access.  I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS.  I just bought this computer it has Windows 8 and I'm still trying to figure it out.  I'm sure I will eventually, but I would like to get my WiFi up and running.

     

    I don't know how to do a screen shot, sorry.

  • by edex67,

    edex67 edex67 Jan 30, 2013 9:32 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo
    Level 4 (3,250 points)
    Jan 30, 2013 9:32 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo

    Do a factory reset of the Express, then start again. Power on the Express, and open up AirPort Utility.

    Keychain Access is a OS X thing, it doesn't apply to Windows 8.

  • by marcyfromcamarillo,

    marcyfromcamarillo marcyfromcamarillo Jan 30, 2013 8:57 PM in response to marcyfromcamarillo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2013 8:57 PM in response to marcyfromcamarillo

    Thank you edex67.  I have finally got to the point of selecting my connection, but it is apparently not close enough.  Any suggestions for that?

     

    Marcy

  • by edex67,

    edex67 edex67 Jan 30, 2013 11:46 PM in response to marcyfromcamarillo
    Level 4 (3,250 points)
    Jan 30, 2013 11:46 PM in response to marcyfromcamarillo

    What do you mean, not close enough? What are you trying to do with your Express?

  • by marcyfromcamarillo,

    marcyfromcamarillo marcyfromcamarillo Jan 30, 2013 11:54 PM in response to edex67
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2013 11:54 PM in response to edex67

    .The WiFi Network is not close enough to my house where my Express is located.

     

    I want Airport Express so I ca.n work anywhere in my house and maybe from our boat

  • by edex67,

    edex67 edex67 Jan 31, 2013 8:30 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo
    Level 4 (3,250 points)
    Jan 31, 2013 8:30 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo

    I would advise purchasing Powerline adapters, and connecting the Express to these.

  • by marcyfromcamarillo,

    marcyfromcamarillo marcyfromcamarillo Jan 31, 2013 9:32 AM in response to edex67
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 31, 2013 9:32 AM in response to edex67

    Thanks edex67,

     

    I don't know what Powerline adapters are or if they are available here.  I am in Costa Rica right now. 

     

    Marcy

  • by edex67,

    edex67 edex67 Jan 31, 2013 10:02 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo
    Level 4 (3,250 points)
    Jan 31, 2013 10:02 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo

    Powerline adapters transmit Ethernet across the power lines. They can be purchased from most computer shops or online shops (Amazon etc.)

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jan 31, 2013 10:33 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo
    Level 9 (54,344 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 31, 2013 10:33 AM in response to marcyfromcamarillo

    As a rough gauge, a wireless network has a useable range of around 150'. It probably can be farther than that if it is operating in free space without any obstacles between the wireless router and the wireless client (your Win8 HP for example). Think of a light bulb and you can get an idea on how a router provides a wireless network. The more things between the light bulb and you (your HP) the dimmer (or weaker) the light (signal) will be.

     

    You don't mentioned how far the boat is away from the house, but keeping what I just mentioned in mind, you may or may not get a decent wireless signal that far away.

     

    ... so what are some options? ... and how much do you want to spend? As edex67 has mentioned, Powerline adapters are one option. Basically these are devices that plug into your home's electrical outlets. In turn, you would connect an Ethernet wire between each adapter and the network device. What these adapters do is create a pseudo Ethernet network between each adapter as though there was a single Ethernet wire between them. These only work if they are connected to the same electrical circuit. Most likely, where the boat is (even if you have electricity running there) will be on a different circuit.

     

    Another option would be to employ a second AirPort Express and use it to extend the wireless range of the one in the house. Again the distance between each will be important as the extending Express can only extend the wireless network with the same bandwidth (speed) that it receives it. In typical situations, the extending base station would need to be within 50' of the station that it is extending.

     

    Finally, another option would be to employ external antennae on either or both the existing AirPort and your HP computer. These would help increase the signal strength of both the transmitted signal and that of the received signal at the location of the HP. Think of Dumbo ears for the receiving antenna. These type of antennae can be relatively expensive ... so cost would be an issue.