Flyfisher72
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: air port express problem

I have an airport express, 8-10 years old and want to use it to extend the wifi coverage of a comcast modem/router and do not know how to do it from my computer as I can't find a controlling app that old that works with 10.9.5 or above.  Does anyone know 1) if this is possible or 2) how I can do it?

Thanks!

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Sep 9, 2016 12:35 PM

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Flyfisher72

Q: air port express problem

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  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 11, 2016 2:27 PM in response to Flyfisher72
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 11, 2016 2:27 PM in response to Flyfisher72

    The AirPort Express is only capable of wirelessly extending a network that is being provided from another Apple router, so that is probably pretty much of a deal killer right there.

     

    The next issue....even if you did have another Apple router producing the wireless network.....is that the application that will be needed to setup the AirPort Express will only run on older operating systems like Leopard (10.5.x) or Snow Leopard (10.6.x).....since Apple dropped support of the older version of the Express 3-4 years ago.

     

    IF....you could connect the Express permanently to your modem/router using a wired Ethernet cable connection.....and IF.....you had or could borrow a PC with AirPort Utility 5.6.1 for Windows installed to set up the Expess.....it might be possible to set it up to provide more wireless coverage.

     

    It is remarkable that an 8-10 year old Express will even power up at all.  Most of these devices only lasted about 3-4 years on average.

  • by Tesserax,Helpful

    Tesserax Tesserax Sep 11, 2016 2:29 PM in response to Flyfisher72
    Level 9 (54,085 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 11, 2016 2:29 PM in response to Flyfisher72

    Bob pretty much covered that fact that you will be extremely limited on what you can do with your 802.11g AirPort Express. The only real option would be to set up a roaming network with your Comcast-provided wireless gateway device.

     

    However, even if successful, any devices that connect to the Express will be limited to 802.11g bandwidth. Which has a maximum of 54 Mbps.

  • by rvaro2,

    rvaro2 rvaro2 Sep 11, 2016 9:28 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 2 (344 points)
    Sep 11, 2016 9:28 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob Timmons wrote:

     

    The AirPort Express is only capable of wirelessly extending a network that is being provided from another Apple router, so that is probably pretty much of a deal killer right there.

     

     

    Thats incorrect, i have used the Express to extend off of D-Link and Linksys wireless routers in the past with much success.

  • by Flyfisher72,

    Flyfisher72 Flyfisher72 Sep 11, 2016 2:36 PM in response to Flyfisher72
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 11, 2016 2:36 PM in response to Flyfisher72

    I want to thank all of those who responded to my problem for you assistance and being thoughtful enough to  help fellow apple users.  It's comforting to know that there is a good group of people out there to help when questions arise. Thanks :-)