Help with set-up of 5th gen AP extreme as extender

Here I am assuming that you are planning to connect the AirPort Extreme back to the Technicolor modem/router using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection, correct?

The terminology can be confusing, but if you will start over and use the AirPort Utility setup "wizard", the application will suggest the correct setup for you. Despite what you might think, the correct setting for the AirPort Extreme when it is connecting using Ethernet is "Create a wireless network".

"Add" or "extend" both assume that you will using wireless to connect the AirPort Extreme using a wireless connection to another AirPort router, but you will be using Ethernet to connect to the Technicolor router.....so the correct setting is "Create a wireless network"

The "wizard" will analyze the network and suggest the correct setup using a screen that will look like this, except that you will see your AirPort Extreme pictured, instead of an old AirPort Express

Network Name......Type in the exact same name that the Technicolor router is using for the wireless network

Base Station Name.....Type in a short simple device name for the AirPort Extreme

Password.....Type in the same password that the Technicolor router is using

Verify....Type in the same password again to verify

Click Next.....and the "wizard" will set up everything correctly and automatically for you

I think the Modem/ Router (Technicolor TC8717t ) from Spectrum is competing with the AP Extreme (A1408) 802.11n

I doubt it is the problem.

Wireless routers are built to check wireless currently in use and pick the best channel with least interference.. automatically and by default.

You should always reset the Extreme to factory and reconfigure it after every change of network.. and a new ISP and modem router is about as extreme as you can get.

I also see that our extreme is set up as a wireless network

This is correct.. your Apple router cannot be used as repeater.. what apple call extend wireless with any 3rd party brand.. only with another Apple router.

So the Airport is setup plugged by ethernet (or powerline (EOP or HomePlug) Adapters to the main modem router.. set it in bridge mode and create a wireless network.

You can setup what is called a roaming network.. both the Apple and the Technicolor use the same wireless name (SSID) and same password and security setting.. ie WPA2 personal.

Then you can check via a Mac wireless diagnostics (or any suitable wireless analyser) what channels everything is on.. !!

If you still have issues.. you might just find the airport extreme is near end of life. They work well for around 5 years.. most will be 5+ now.. and will start to give trouble.. put your hand on the top when running.. they seem to run hotter as they age. If it is feeling fairly toasty to you.. or can have wireless output lower than when first purchased. it is perhaps time to think about replacement.

I also see that our extreme is set up as a wireless network and there is an option to "Extend a wireless network" we need a lot of WiFi access (lots of TV's gaming systems cel phones etc. using) and I am unsure of what option is better?

Can anyone walk me thru this set up?

"Extend a wireless network" would not be a setup that you would want to use. Reason.....the "Extend" setup would be used only if you already had another Apple AirPort router acting as your "main" wireless router and you wanted to have the AirPort Extreme connect back your main Apple AirPort router using a wireless connection.

Another way to say the same thing......the "Extend a wireless network" setting on the AirPort Extreme would not be compatible with a Technicolor router.

Is it possible to confine the two routers to a range of channels so they are not interfering with each other?

If the AirPort Extreme has been set up correctly to "Create a wireless network", there will be no channel conflicts between the AirPort and Technicolor router......since each router will automatically choose the correct channels.

Since you switched ISPs, my recommendation would be to reset the AirPort Extreme back to factory default settings and then set it up again......so that it will pick up the correct settings from the Technicolor router.

Please get the AirPort Extreme set up and working using the instructions that I provided. We will tweak the settings once the basic setup is done.

We will discuss the Technicolor settings later. I do notice however that you have the Technicolor modem/router set for Manual Channel Selection, so it is locked on Channel 1.

Unfortunately, Channel 1 is the most crowded and congested of all wireless channels. It would be much better if you used the Automatic setting, which allows the Technicolor device to scan available channels and choose best channel available at the time.

OK, I have set up a version of AirPort Utility on my Mac this is very similar to the Windows Version of AirPort Utility that you are using.

Open AirPort Utility

Click on the AirPort Extreme to select it

Click Manual Setup

Click the Base Station tab just below the row of icons at the top of the AirPort Utility window. Check to make sure that the device name is correct, Time Zone is correct, etc.

Now click the Wireless tab located next to the Internet tab. Check to make sure that the Wireless Mode is set to Create a wireless network. Enter the name of GuyWiFi-2.4-Spect in the Wireless Network Name Space

Make sure that the setting for Wireless Security is set to WPA2 Personal

Enter the password for the network, etc

Now click the Wireless Network Options button near the bottom of the window. Enter a check mark in the box next to 5 GHz Name. Type in GuyWiFi-5G-Spect in the box. Then, click Done.

Click the Internet globe icon near the top of the AirPort Utility window. Select the Internet Connection tab. Make sure that the setting for Connect Using is set to Ethernet (Or, it might read DHCP). Make sure that the setting for Connection Sharing is set to Off (Bridge Mode).

Then, click Update at the lower right of the window and give the AirPort a full minute to restart to a green light. You should be all set.

Oh oh. Looks like you are using a 5+ year old PC version of AirPort Utility. That is a completely different application than AirPort Utility for the Mac, which will literally set up the AirPort for you virtually automatically.

Do you have a Mac running a current or recent version of the Mac operating system?

You are misunderstanding.

Due to Apple using non-standard terminology to help non-technical people they instead confuse everyone.

You need to read the entire line.. like this.

Connection sharing IS OFF (this means your are now in Bridge Mode)

NOT as might seem obvious..

Bridge mode is OFF.

Hold on for 60-90 minutes and I'll find a PC or try to install an older version of AirPort Utility on an old Mac that will match the AirPort Utility version that you have on your PC.

If you don't want to wait, perhaps another user who has AirPort Utility for Windows installed can help in the meantime.