Can't set up an airPort Extreme using Cox cable internet service

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Level 1

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Can't set up an airPort Extreme using Cox cable internet service

I'm trying to replace a netgear wireless router with the airPort extreme 5th generation. The airPort Extreme is connected by an ethernet cable from a Motorola Surfboard SB51120. When I connect the power cable to the airPort Extreme, the light goes from green, to solid amber and then to blinking amber. I tried the manual setup via the airPort Utility, but I just get an error -4 message. How do I get past the 1st step of the setup?

What's interesting is that my laptop sees the base station and is able to make a wireless connection to the internet. But I believe this is unsecured at this point.

Airport Extreme-OTHER, Windows 7

Posted on Apr 17, 2013 9:09 AM

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Answer 1

tzbikowski

Level 4

1,952 points

Apr 17, 2013 9:22 AM in response to fmora

Presumably you have already downloaded and installed AirPort utility?
http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1547

It is best done over Ethernet cable. Connect your laptop to LAN port at the back of AirPort Extreme.
If your Airport Utility finds the AirPort Extreme but you cannot connect go to File > Configure Other and type in the IP of the AirPort Extreme (default 10.0.1.1 and default password "admin").

Please post back.

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Answer 2

fmora Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 17, 2013 9:47 AM in response to tzbikowski

Yes. I downloaded airPort Utility 5.6.1 for Windows. I'll also try the setup using a Macbook to see if this makes a difference.

I tried the Manual setup and get the error -4 message. Do you know what the -4 error message means?

Tried the soft reset, hard reset and factory reset options and none fixes the problem. Since this is a new unit, it should already have the default configuration, but I figured I'd try the reset anyway just in case.

Will try your suggestion to connect the laptop using the ethernet cable when I get home this evening and post the results.

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Answer 3

Apr 17, 2013 10:10 AM in response to tzbikowski

If your Airport Utility finds the AirPort Extreme but you cannot connect go to File >Configure Other and type in the IP of the AirPort Extreme (default 10.0.1.1 and default password "admin").

"admin" is not the default password for the Apple AirPorts. The correct default password is....

public

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Answer 4

fmora Author

Level 1

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Apr 18, 2013 12:47 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Using the "Configure Other" did the trick. This allowed me to configure the base station for a secured wireless network. Strange that the airPort Utility cannot find the airPort when it scans for base stations. So I have to use "Configure Other" whenever I want to make any changes.

Thanks tzbikowski and Bob Timmons for helping me to resolve my setup problem!!!

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