Apple Airport express, airtunes, and an existing wireless network Netgear WGR614,

[ctakim]

OK, so I've got a new Apple Airport Express hooked up to my stereo in
my living room, separate from but in easy range of my home wireless
802.11g network running on a Netgear WGR614 wireless router. The main
computer with all my iTunes songes is on the network and is directly
connected to the wireless router via an ethernet cable. It is running
Windows XP Home Edition. My goal is to stream music over the existing
network to the Airport Express and to my stereo system and not to have
to set up a new wireless system.

Problem, the main computer on the network does not see the Airport
Express while running Airport Express Assistant.

Help!

ctakim

 

[Small Tree Communications]

OK, so I've got a new Apple Airport Express hooked up to my stereo in
my living room, separate from but in easy range of my home wireless
802.11g network running on a Netgear WGR614 wireless router. The main
computer with all my iTunes songes is on the network and is directly
connected to the wireless router via an ethernet cable. It is running
Windows XP Home Edition. My goal is to stream music over the existing
network to the Airport Express and to my stereo system and not to have
to set up a new wireless system.

Problem, the main computer on the network does not see the Airport
Express while running Airport Express Assistant.

Help!

ctakim

Have you checked for updates? Make sure you have the latest airport utility.

 

[Mike Cohen]

OK, so I've got a new Apple Airport Express hooked up to my stereo in
my living room, separate from but in easy range of my home wireless
802.11g network running on a Netgear WGR614 wireless router. The main
computer with all my iTunes songes is on the network and is directly
connected to the wireless router via an ethernet cable. It is running
Windows XP Home Edition. My goal is to stream music over the existing
network to the Airport Express and to my stereo system and not to have
to set up a new wireless system.

Problem, the main computer on the network does not see the Airport
Express while running Airport Express Assistant.

Help!

ctakim

I have the same setup. You have to set the Airport Express to connect to
an existing network. If the AE is creating its own network, it should
appear in the Airport menu - select it and you'll be able to see the AE
in the assistant or airport setup utility. When you change it to join
existing network, you'll no longer see it as a separate network and
you'll be able to see it when connected to your main network.

 

[Placebo]

OK, so I've got a new Apple Airport Express hooked up to my stereo in
my living room, separate from but in easy range of my home wireless
802.11g network running on a Netgear WGR614 wireless router. The main
computer with all my iTunes songes is on the network and is directly
connected to the wireless router via an ethernet cable. It is running
Windows XP Home Edition. My goal is to stream music over the existing
network to the Airport Express and to my stereo system and not to have
to set up a new wireless system.

Problem, the main computer on the network does not see the Airport
Express while running Airport Express Assistant.

Help!

ctakim

One thing to note is that the AE is initially set up to create its own
wireless network. It will not automatically glom on to your existing
network.

You said you're running AirPort Express Assistant, so I assume your main
computer has wireless capability. If that's the case, I'm not sure why
it isn't seeing the AE. You could try manually joining its wireless
network first and then running AE Assistant. Or you could try
temporarily connecting the AE to the wired network and see if your
computer can find it over the wired network.

If your computer doesn't have a wireless connection, that's the reason
the software can't see the AE, although, if this were the case, I would
have expected AE Assistant to give you an error message. You could try
using a different computer, with wireless capability, to configure the
AE, or again, you could try connecting the AE to the wired network
temporarily to configure it.

 

[Steve]

One thing to note is that the AE is initially set up to create its own
wireless network. It will not automatically glom on to your existing
network.

You said you're running AirPort Express Assistant, so I assume your main
computer has wireless capability. If that's the case, I'm not sure why
it isn't seeing the AE. You could try manually joining its wireless
network first and then running AE Assistant. Or you could try
temporarily connecting the AE to the wired network and see if your
computer can find it over the wired network.

If your computer doesn't have a wireless connection, that's the reason
the software can't see the AE, although, if this were the case, I would
have expected AE Assistant to give you an error message. You could try
using a different computer, with wireless capability, to configure the
AE, or again, you could try connecting the AE to the wired network
temporarily to configure it.

Initially, it's easier to set up if you connect the AE to the wired
network. In my case I had to temporarily tweek my existing wireless
network in order for the AE to be able to join it. I had SSID
Broadcast turned off on my existing network. This needed to be turned
on to get the AE to join the network. Once it was joined, the WEP
settings configured, etc. I then went back shut off the SSID broadcast
again on my existing wireless access point.

Good luck!

 

[ctakim]

Thanks for the advice. I did check but I have the latest software for
the Airport Assistant judging by the info on the apple website. But
when I try to look for the network on my desktop, I still don't see
the wireless network or the AE. I checked the apple support site and
tried downloading and installing the Windows Wireless Zero
Configuration, but still nothing. However, I did make some progress by
getting my Dell D600 Latitude laptop running Windows XP Professional
which recognizes my network with no problem. It was able to connect to
the AE over the pre-existing wireless network and I can now stream
iTunes songs from the laptop to my home stereo (very cool!). But all
is not hunky dory. The big hard drive and the bulk of my music
collection is on the desktop, and I still can't stream from that
computer to the AE. I think that the problem is that the set up for
wireless communication is not on the desktop (Dell Dimension 8250).
But I don't wan't to go wireless from the desktop directly to the
wireless network and the AE, I want to go over the ethernet hardwire
to the router, then over the wireless network to the AE. Is this
possible?

TIA, once again,
ctakim

 

[Placebo]

Thanks for the advice. I did check but I have the latest software for
the Airport Assistant judging by the info on the apple website. But
when I try to look for the network on my desktop, I still don't see
the wireless network or the AE. I checked the apple support site and
tried downloading and installing the Windows Wireless Zero
Configuration, but still nothing. However, I did make some progress by
getting my Dell D600 Latitude laptop running Windows XP Professional
which recognizes my network with no problem. It was able to connect to
the AE over the pre-existing wireless network and I can now stream
iTunes songs from the laptop to my home stereo (very cool!). But all
is not hunky dory. The big hard drive and the bulk of my music
collection is on the desktop, and I still can't stream from that
computer to the AE. I think that the problem is that the set up for
wireless communication is not on the desktop (Dell Dimension 8250).
But I don't wan't to go wireless from the desktop directly to the
wireless network and the AE, I want to go over the ethernet hardwire
to the router, then over the wireless network to the AE. Is this
possible?

TIA, once again,
ctakim

Yes, it should be possible. Apple actually answers your question in its
AirPort Express FAQ.

<http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108038#5>

Make sure your desktop system and the AE are on the same subnet. You
should be able to get the IP address of the AE from the DHCP client list
of your router or by running AirPort Admin Utility on your laptop.

 

[BigVern]

It can probably be done with the WRG614, it can certainly be done with
the DG834G (v2) .

I run a Netgear DG834G as my main DSL modem/switch/wireless point and
can play music from my ethernet connected XP PC via airtunes no
problemo.

1 x XP Desktop connected via ethernet (this is my main ITunes
repository)
1 x XP Laptop connects via Netgear WG511T card
1 x NT4 laptop connects via ethernet
1 x Macintosh connects via ethernet
1 x Airport Express connects via wireless.

First things first.

You will need a wireless cabable device to set up your airport. I used
my XP laptop with the netgear card.

The first time I did it, I used my main PC after connecting the
airport via ethernet, this allowed me to play music via ethernet but
not wirelessly?!?

You need to know the MAC address of your AirportExpress wireless
interface.
You can get this by booting airport, running a scan with your wireless
computer and attaching the the Apple network that you will see. Use
the AirportAdmin Utility rather than the express set up.

Summary tab - nothing to do here.

Airport tab.
Name your device (Garden, Kitchen etc) and change the password.
Join an existing network and type in the name of your network (case
sensitive). Click the security button and make sure it is off.

Internet tab.
Should now say connect via wireless and I have my IP DHCP assigned by
the main router.

Network tab. Should all be greyed out.
Port mapping tab. Should all be greyed out.
Access control tab. Should all be greyed out.
Authentication tab. Should all be greyed out.
WDS tab. Should all be greyed out.

Music tab. Make sure the enable airtunes is checked.


On your main wireless router turn off WEP and instead limit access via
MAC address. Add in the wireless MAC address of your airport, which
you can find on the physical device. Mine has xxxxC8 for the ethernet
MAC and xxxxC9 for the wireless MAC

Update the airport, it will reboot. Then you will see the speaker
choice in your ITunes enabled PCs. I use my main workstation, but I
share the play lists out to my laptop but play them through airtunes
as the sound is better than my laptop's rubbish sound card.

Hope this helps.

Neil

 

[Steve]

Thanks for the advice. I did check but I have the latest software for
the Airport Assistant judging by the info on the apple website. But
when I try to look for the network on my desktop, I still don't see
the wireless network or the AE. I checked the apple support site and
tried downloading and installing the Windows Wireless Zero
Configuration, but still nothing. However, I did make some progress by
getting my Dell D600 Latitude laptop running Windows XP Professional
which recognizes my network with no problem. It was able to connect to
the AE over the pre-existing wireless network and I can now stream
iTunes songs from the laptop to my home stereo (very cool!). But all
is not hunky dory. The big hard drive and the bulk of my music
collection is on the desktop, and I still can't stream from that
computer to the AE. I think that the problem is that the set up for
wireless communication is not on the desktop (Dell Dimension 8250).
But I don't wan't to go wireless from the desktop directly to the
wireless network and the AE, I want to go over the ethernet hardwire
to the router, then over the wireless network to the AE. Is this
possible?

TIA, once again,
ctakim

If you can bring up the airport admin utility on the laptop that's
able to stream to the AE, go to the "Configure" tool. Select the tab
very far right labeled "Music". At the bottom of that screen is a
checkbox "enable AirTune over Ethernet". That's what you need to do
to stream from the desktop.

Hope this helps....

Steve.

 

[ctakim]

Neil:

Thanks for the detailed reply. It is much appreciated. I did all that
you suggested and I do see the AirPort as a network device on the
Router Control menu, but when I try to run iTunes from the desktop, no
luck. I can't see a popup menue on iTunes. However, on my laptop, it
is there and works like a charm over the pre-existing wireless
network.

In addition, when I try and run the admin utility or Airport Express
Assistent on the desktop, I get an error message stating that
"...Windows is not allowed to manage wireless networks on this
computer. This can be the result of having third party utility that
manages networks" However, I've followed the faq from Apple and made
sure that the Wireless Zero Configuration services is updated, set to
Automatic and turned on. I'm running Windows XP Home Edition with all
updates loaded from the Windows Update website.

Frustrating..

ctakim

 

[ctakim]

Ay Carumba!

Finally! Problem solved (for now!). If I configure the AE with my
laptop to function purely in a client mode (I had to turn off the
wireless network and reset the AE with a 10 second reset button push
to get a good signal) then I set it up in a client mode to join my
home network, and I enabled iTunes over the ethernet. Then when I hit
update the AE goes into client mode and disappears from the laptop.
But when I turn the home wireless network there it is with an IP
assigned by the router. And the last step for the desktop was I just
had to enable the search for airtunes speakers on the itunes Edit
menu--Preferences--Audio, last check box. I can't believe I was hung
up on that last step that kept my desktop machine from seeing the AE.

Now I'm streaming tunes from the desktop or the laptop to the living
room stereo. Now if I can just keep the signal strength strong enough
to prevent drop outs....

Thanks for the assistance to all involved.
ctakim

 

[ctakim]

One additional point, on the desktop, if I open Airport Admin Utilitiy
(AAU) and not the Airport Express Assistant I don't get the error
message described previously!

ctakim

 

[ossyj]

*One additional point, on the desktop, if I open Airport Admi
Utilitiy
(AAU) and not the Airport Express Assistant I don't get the error
message described previously!

ctakim *

Not working on your desktop yet?

Try disabling that stupid Windows XP Personal Firewall crap!

*amazing sense of satisfaction*

love the AirPort Express!!


-
ossy

 

[yogus_bearus]

So, Please help me get this straight? It it possible to have the Airpor
Express boost the signal in my living room from my bedroom where th
Netgear(WGR614) Wireless network is located? I think they call thi
ability to leapfrog? Will this really enable me to get a better signa
in my living room?

Also, I will now have the ability to send itunes to my stereo, via m
G5 on the wireless network? . . .Please, Please help???

*OK, so I've got a new Apple Airport Express hooked up to my stere
in
my living room, separate from but in easy range of my home wireless
802.11g network running on a Netgear WGR614 wireless router. Th
main
computer with all my iTunes songes is on the network and is directly
connected to the wireless router via an ethernet cable. It i
running
Windows XP Home Edition. My goal is to stream music over th
existing
network to the Airport Express and to my stereo system and not t
have
to set up a new wireless system.

Problem, the main computer on the network does not see the Airport
Express while running Airport Express Assistant.

Help!

ctakim

-
yogus_bearu

 

[ossyj]

*So, Please help me get this straight? It it possible to have th
Airport Express boost the signal in my living room from my bedroo
where the Netgear(WGR614) Wireless network is located? I think the
call this ability to leapfrog? Will this really enable me to get
better signal in my living room?

Also, I will now have the ability to send itunes to my stereo, via m
G5 on the wireless network? . . .Please, Please help??? *

Ok... the first question - from my understanding (someone correct me i
i'm wrong here) that you can only use the AirPort Express boost th
signal of your existing "Apple" wireless network, ie the Airpor
Extreme...

Maybe a high gain antenna will help with your connection strength - I'
going to invest in one of those soon - a friend of mine is also
WGR614 user and he says it works a treat.

Re the sending tunes, forgive my ignorance (I'm not such an Appl
guru), I don't know what a G5 is...

Mike


-
ossy

 

[MrBean]

I'm going insane. I hope someone can help me. I can't get iTunes t
see my Airport Express wirelessly. My Win XP wireless laptop sees th
Airtunes in the network. If I connect it directly to my lapto
(ethernet) then it works but not wirelessly. Any ideas??

Please!?

*Ok... the first question - from my understanding (someone correct m
if i'm wrong here) that you can only use the AirPort Express boos
the signal of your existing "Apple" wireless network, ie the Airpor
Extreme...

Maybe a high gain antenna will help with your connection strength
I'm going to invest in one of those soon - a friend of mine is also
WGR614 user and he says it works a treat.

Re the sending tunes, forgive my ignorance (I'm not such an Appl
guru), I don't know what a G5 is...

Mikey

-
MrBea

 

[MrBean]

Solved my own problem, thank God!!

Started from scratch with my desktop and set things up. Now my lapto
sees the A Ex all by itself as well. Here's a great link if anyon
else is having problems:

http://tinyurl.com/6cyls

*I'm going insane. I hope someone can help me. I can't get iTune
to see my Airport Express wirelessly. My Win XP wireless laptop see
the Airtunes in the network. If I connect it directly to my lapto
(ethernet) then it works but not wirelessly. Any ideas??

Please!?

-
MrBea