I need help in using Airport express to extend range of myTime Capsule. In Airport utility my airport exprss is not found, although it is located right next to the TimeCapsule at the moment. Any help would be appreciated.
OS10 7.5
Place the Express right next to the Mac or ipad etc you are using for the setup..
Do a factory reset on the express.. it should then show up in the airport utility as
In the Mac version at least.. ipad version will show under wireless.
Click it and extend wireless will be selected automagically.
I did as you suggested, but it still does not show up.
Factory reset is very particular about the steps taken to do it. Are you sure it is a factory reset you performed? Resetting an AirPort base station FAQ - Apple Support
Please confirm you are using a Mac on Lion..
Try plugging it in via ethernet.. and do it via a full factory reset and manual configuration .. it will not work though if it is a G model..
What model express are we talking about??
Thanks for trying. I am using an iMac with Lion(10.7.5). It appears that I have a G model. Its a first generation and the specs, say it's compliant with 802.11g specification. So I guess I'm out of luck with this particular device?
Lion is no problem but you must install the previous generation airport utility. On Lion this is simple.. and used to be readily available as a download.. however in 10.7.3 Apple blocked it. For typical Apple policy decisions they decided anyone who has a working express no longer needed or should use it.
How to load 5.6 into later Lion & ML
1. Download 5.6 for Lion.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Click to open the dmg but do not attempt to install the pkg.. it won't work anyway.
Leave the package open on the desktop so you can see the file. AirportUtility56.pkg
2. Download and install unpkg.
Run unpkg on the desktop.. If your Mac refuses to run the software, because it wasn’t downloaded from the Apple store, go to security in preferences and allow other software to work.. this is limitation of trade methinks. You can set back later if you like.
Now drag the AirPortUtility56.pkg file over to unpkg.. and it will create a new directory of the same name on the desktop.. in finder, open the new directory, drill down.. applications, utilities .. there lo and behold is Airport utility 5.6 .. drag it to your main utilities directory or just run it from current location.
There are even simpler methods.. just google.. install 5.6 airport utility. I would post you the URL but apple would then delete my post. It is and works absolutely without issues up to Mountain Lion. And you can run both 5.6 and 6.3 alongside each other. I do.. But for older model express and extreme units only 5.6 will work. But having 5.6 is helpful even for newer models.
You cannot extend wireless though with a G model express .. It is important to realise Apple made substantial changes.. so a G wireless uses WDS .. which is a totally different system to what the N and now AC models use.
If you want to extend by wireless buy a second hand Gen4 or Gen5 Airport Extreme if you want something cheap.. that is how mine is done.. one airport connected to second one by wireless..
How do I extend the range of Time Capsule, using Airport express
