How to find the Shared Hard Drive that's connected via USB to an AirPort Extream

Question

How to find the Shared Hard Drive that's connected via USB to an AirPort Extream

I just installed an external hard drive to the USB port on my AirPort Extreme (5th Gen). It's all set up correctly in the AirPort Utility, but I can't find directions on how to locate that shared drive on my Windows XP PC. I've found the below, but not sure if that's correct.... and if it is.... I still have questions which are in bold.

1. Open My Computer

2. Click on Tools and Map Network Drive

3. Choose the drive letter (Z drive or any unused drive, right?)

4. Type in the location like this... \\ipaddress\name (where do you find the "IP Address" and where do you find the "name" of the drive?.. I've tried several different names and the only IP address I could find in the Airport Utility, but nothing worked)

5. Enter password if prompted

6. Drive should now show up under My Computer

Additionally, can you access that shared hard drive via an iPad? If so how do you do that? Is there an App needed?

Thanks in advance for the direction.

AirPort Extreme-OTHER, Windows XP

Posted on Oct 3, 2013 9:04 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 4, 2013 12:03 AM in response to WorkHardToPlayHard

Make sure xp is sp3.. I am sure you are.. but to start in the right place.

Load the airport utility for windows into the computer.

You can download it here.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1391

That loads a couple of extras that really help. Bonjour and a connection agent. By itself this maybe enough.

Do not worry about drive mapping.. that is for later when you have found the drive.

Make sure in the utility you just loaded it can find the airport.

Make sure the name is SMB compatible.. ie short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric. Not Apple name with spaces and special characters.. it will not work.

The IP of the AE will show up on the summary page of the utility. At default it is 10.0.1.1

In windows explorer type in the address bar

\\AEname or \\AEIPaddress where you put the actual name or IP.. you do not need to put the share name.. as all shared devices will show up.

Password if prompted at default is public

To access the AE from ipad you need a file app.. eg filebrowser .. it is just a few dollars in the itunes store.

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Answer 2

Oct 7, 2013 7:15 PM in response to LaPastenague

Thank you LaPasterague.

I looked at my Airport Extreame via the Airport Utility and I've got it named "SMW AirPort Extreme". Are you saying I need to change this name to a "short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric" name? If so, how do you go about doing that? Do you have to start all over?

The external hard drive is identified in the Airport Utility under the Disks icon. The name of the hard drive self popluated as "931.5 GB - Samsung HD103SI" Do I need to change the name of that as well? If so how do you go about doing that?

What I did this time was:

Open My Computer

Tools and then Map Network Drive

Z Drive

In the "Folder" window of the Map Network Drive I typed \\SMW AirPort Extreme\931.5 GB - SAMSUNG HD103SI and I received an error. So, I'm guessing I need to change the name of both the wireless router and the external hard drive, right?

Thanks

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Answer 3

Oct 7, 2013 9:19 PM in response to WorkHardToPlayHard

WorkHardToPlayHard wrote:

Thank you LaPasterague.

I looked at my Airport Extreame via the Airport Utility and I've got it named "SMW AirPort Extreme". Are you saying I need to change this name to a "short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric" name? If so, how do you go about doing that? Do you have to start all over?

Yes, reset to factory and give it all new names.. Your current name does not comply.

SMWAE works as does smwae

Try the lower case version if the upper case one fails.

The external hard drive is identified in the Airport Utility under the Disks icon. The name of the hard drive self popluated as "931.5 GB - Samsung HD103SI" Do I need to change the name of that as well? If so how do you go about doing that?

That is not going to work either.. but that might be identification name not share name.. how does it show up in the Mac.. anyway change it to SMB compatible in the file sharing section of the utility in windows.. remember windows has to see it.. so do the setup using the windows version utility.

What I did this time was:

Open My Computer

Tools and then Map Network Drive

Z Drive

In the "Folder" window of the Map Network Drive I typed \\SMW AirPort Extreme\931.5 GB - SAMSUNG HD103SI and I received an error. So, I'm guessing I need to change the name of both the wireless router and the external hard drive, right?

Thanks

It may work if you put quotes around the names.. but don't bet on it. The names are wrong.

Do not map the drive.. you have not even identified the drive..

In windows explorer type just the IP of the AE.. at least that is not wrong.

\\10.0.1.1 or whatever it is.

Do not put in the whole name.. do not put in the disk share name.. see what is shared from that IP address and click it if anything shows up.

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