Can I use my old airport base station with my new ipad and macbook retinas? I get a responce saying it cannot be setup with this software.

Since there are numerous versions of "old" base stations, if you could tell us the model number of your "old" AirPort base station, we could provide a more accurate answer.

Look on the bottom of the AirPort device. The Model Number will likely start with an "A".

Thanks, this helps.

You cannot use the iPad and Mac Retina to set up or configure the A1084.

But, if you have another older Mac there running the Leopard or Snow Leopard operating system, then that Mac could be used to configure the A1084 and the iPad and Retina could connect to the signal from the A1084.

I'm not recommending this, but there are workarounds.....not supported by Apple....to install older software on the Mac Retina that might allow you to administer the A1084.

Take a look at this thread to get an idea. Might work, might not.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4415928?answerId=21397085022#21397085022