cannot get my airport express to work

I would recommend that you do the following as a minimum:

1. Power-down the modem, AirPort base station, and computer(s).
2. Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it adequate time to initialize.
3. Power-up the AirPort base station; wait at least 5-10 minutes. Note: The AirPort's status light may continue to flash amber after it has intialized. That is because, there may be some additional configuration items necessary, like setting up wireless security, before the overall setup is completed to get a green status.
4. Power-up your computer(s).

In this basic configuration, the AirPort base station will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name (SSID) of Apple Network NNNNNN. Network clients, connected to the base station either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the ISP's modem. Once Internet connectivity has been verified, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the base station for wireless security and any other desired options. Please post back your results.

If the above steps do not solve the problem, start over with step 1 above, but then perform the next steps between steps 1 & 2. above.

1. Disconnect the AirPort base station from the Internet broadband modem.
2. While all of the devices are powered-down, perform a "factory default" reset on the base station. This will get it back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration and make setting it up much easier, especially if you use the "Assist me" process within the AirPort Utility. (ref: Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule)
3. After the base station resets, go ahead and power it back down.
4. Reconnect the AirPort base station to the Internet broadband modem. For the Extreme and Time Capsule, be sure to connect the cable to the base station's WAN (circle-of-dots) port.
5. Continue with step 2 in the first set of steps.

Thank you for your help! I have a 1st generation airport express and trying to connect through my MacBook Air which has the latest Mavericks 10.9.3 version OS installed in it.

Just to be sure, by "1st generation" are you referring to the first generation of the 802.11n AirPort Express base station? It would be model number: A1264. It looks identical to the earlier 802.11g version, which is model number: A1084.

Thanks for confirming which model Express you have.

I would suggest that you first start by performing a "factory default" reset on the base station. When completed the Express should broadcast an unsecured Wi-Fi network with a network name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN

Can both your Mac laptop and iPad "see" this network? If not, then it won't be found in the AirPort Utility either.

Assuming that they can and staying with the MBA at this point, the Express should show up as a new device in the AirPort Status drop-down menu. Does it? If it does, select it and the AirPort Utility should automatically start up and offer a number of options to configure it.

I tried to do a hard factory reset and kept the reset button pressed for quite a few minutes but getting no response from the unit.

You really shouldn't have to depress the reset button for more than 15-20 secs before the status LED should start flashing rapidly. Based on your results it may be possible that you have a faulty base station.

If you have an Apple Store nearby I would suggest that you make an appointment with the Genius Bar to have them take a look.

You're very welcome! I'm sorry I couldn't help your resolve the problem. Hopefully the folks at the Apple Store can get it working for you.

Hi ~

I'm wondering how this turned out. I've been having the same trouble. My A1264 worked fine extending my network under Snow Leo at my old house, but when I moved - it just wouldn't. I had hoped that when I upgraded to Mavericks in April I would get it working again. No joy!

I have a similar problem with my Airport model 1084 connecting to my Mavericks iMac. It tells me that Maverick's Airport Utility won't work with this model, but doesn't tell which version to download that will work. I'm just trying to connect it so I can share my usb printer.

Hi Pam -

AppleCare was able to walk me through joining it to my network (for AirPlay; but not as a bridge for extending the network) by first noticing that its signal was viewable by the windows computers on my network & then using the Airport Utility 5.6.1 on my old MBP (maxed out at Snow Leo). I can't believe how happy I am to see a green light! Hope this helps.

Unfortunately, Apple dropped support of the older 802.11g AirPorts with OS X Mavericks. You only have a couple of choices to still administer these older base stations: 1) Use a Mac running OS X Lion or earlier, or 2) Use a PC running either Windows XP (not recommended) or Windows 7. The versions of the AirPort Utility that runs on these devices can still support them.