mva07

Q: PC AirPort Extreme Connection Problem

I just bought the AirPort Extreme. All of my devices are able to connect to the internet except my PC (lenovo ThinkPad). When I run a diagnostic it says there is an access point issue, but cannot resolve it. I need help! Thank you.

Posted on May 14, 2015 11:39 AM

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Q: PC AirPort Extreme Connection Problem

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax May 14, 2015 1:59 PM in response to mva07
    Level 9 (54,325 points)
    Wireless
    May 14, 2015 1:59 PM in response to mva07

    FWIW, I have a number of PCs (running various versions of Windows) and do not have any issues connecting to my Apple routers ... so I know that they are generally compatible.

     

    Can your ThinkPad connect to other Wi-Fi networks, just not the one created by the new AirPort Extreme? What version of Windows (include SP number, if know) is the ThinkPad running? Is the Extreme the only router in your current network configuration? Regardless, what is the make & model of your Internet modem?

  • by mva07,

    mva07 mva07 May 14, 2015 2:08 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 14, 2015 2:08 PM in response to Tesserax

    Thank you Tesserax. Yes, my PC is able to connect to other wifi networks, just not this one. I have tried restarting the modem, AirPort, and the PC and nothing works.

     

     

    It is running Windows 7 Professional, SP1. Yes, the AirPort is the only router in my network configuration. I have two others set up -- office and my iphone personal hotspot (which I am currently using). My modem is Motorola Arris Surfboard SB6121.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax May 14, 2015 2:28 PM in response to mva07
    Level 9 (54,325 points)
    Wireless
    May 14, 2015 2:28 PM in response to mva07

    I have two others set up -- office and my iphone personal hotspot (which I am currently using).

    Just want to make sure I understand. Do you mean to say that you have two additional Wi-Fi networks running simultaneously along with the one being created by the Extreme? Also I am assuming by iPhone personal hotspot you are referring to the wireless network feature provided by iOS 8.1+ where other Yosemite Macs and/or iOS 8.1+ devices can connect to for Internet service ... correct?

  • by mva07,

    mva07 mva07 May 15, 2015 8:57 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 15, 2015 8:57 AM in response to Tesserax

    No, I only have the one wifi network running. I run my personal hot spot off of my data on my iphone, but it is a bluetooth connection.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax May 15, 2015 9:56 AM in response to mva07
    Level 9 (54,325 points)
    Wireless
    May 15, 2015 9:56 AM in response to mva07

    Ok, let's start by trying a few things to see what might help with getting the PC laptop to connect.

    • If the Network name (or SSID) of your wireless network has any spaces or special characters temporarily change it to something simple for this test. For example, try renaming your network to: testnetwork. Leave the security setting as is. Can the PC connect now?
      • If yes, then consider using a simple network name for your network.
      • If not, then leave the name for now and temporarily disable wireless security on the AirPort Extreme. Can the PC connect now?
        • If yes, then I would recommend that you try configuring the Extreme to use WPA/WPA2 Personal instead of WPA2 Personal.
        • If not, then there is some other issue that we may need to troubleshoot.
  • by jackell,

    jackell jackell Jul 5, 2015 6:18 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 5, 2015 6:18 PM in response to Tesserax

    acording to  Consumer Support Specialist. & a supervisor tech. That the generation 6 Apple Airport Extreme cannot be set up properly on a Windows device.

     

    Because this offer is updated Apple is chosen to not update the software to support generation 6 hardware.

     

    Therefore it must only be set up with a Mac device.


    so u might want to return it i have one and ya the 5 ghz band keeps dying this is the 3third replacement and 4th unit

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jul 6, 2015 10:04 AM in response to jackell
    Level 9 (54,325 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 6, 2015 10:04 AM in response to jackell

    You replied to me, but I assume that you meant to reply to the OP of this post. However, I'm not sure what you posted is directly relevant to the issue at hand.

     

    You are correct in that Apple has not provided a Windows version of the AirPort Utility that supports the latest 802.11ac versions of the AirPort base stations, but the latest Windows operating systems should have no issues connecting to them.

  • by manintime,

    manintime manintime Oct 9, 2015 1:30 PM in response to mva07
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 9, 2015 1:30 PM in response to mva07

    I had the same issue with my Dell 1545 laptop running Win 8.1. The apple airport utility for Win couldn't find the Airport Extreme wirelessly. So yesterday  I bought a USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Adaptor from Best Buy for $17.00, and with some trial and error the Dell found it and connected. I can't remember all the steps, but pretty sure I created a network on the Dell that included the AE's name I had assigned it. I think I also added it to the Dell's home group. Although I didn't write down all the steps, it was pretty intuitive.

     

    The adaptor comes with an installation CD, but my Dell doesn't have a CD player; luckily the CD is not necessary with Win 8.1.

     

    The Apple salesperson at Best Buy told me he has several PCs (not Dells) and had no problem connecting them to the AC wirelessly.

     

    So the good news it is possiible, and it worked for me, but only with the adaptor.

     

    Hope this helps,

     

    Manititme