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IPad, AirPort Express and Freebox Revolution...

Natmo -  
 AIRPORT -
Hello,
Despite hours of trying, multiple searches on various sites addressing the configuration issue of the Airport Express with Free, I have to admit that I haven't made any progress... Certainly, I'm not exactly an expert in the field, I'm a well-meaning executant who follows instructions without always understanding what I'm doing, but right now, it's just not working!
So I bought an Airport Express to be able to stream music via AirPlay with the speakers of my home stereo system. For the configuration, I followed the indicated procedure: I plugged the AirPlay unit into the stereo system and then plugged the unit into the wall outlet (not a power strip). I also configured the Freebox, especially the Wi-Fi, ensuring that it is a WPA/AES security key with a 13-character password (I read that somewhere, so why not try, right?)
Through the Wi-Fi settings on the iPad (it's the "new iPad"), I can start the configuration of the unit. Everything goes smoothly (choosing an existing network, etc.) until the end where the same message appears every time: "an unexpected error occurred. Please try again." I have done this many times without success.
I then tried connecting the AirPlay unit directly to the Freebox via an Ethernet cable. It worked, the configuration was successful, but the light remains blinking orange due to the Wi-Fi network not being recognized. When I ignore this problem, the light turns green and continuous, until, of course, I unplug the Ethernet cable.
I had read somewhere that the Ethernet cable shouldn't be directly plugged into the Freebox because that would create a double connection... Unfortunately, my PC is old, running Vista, and doesn't even have a Wi-Fi card. The only Ethernet port on the tower is already occupied by my Freebox connection.
I also tried a configuration by connecting the unit via Ethernet to a very old notebook running XP. Once I found a compatible version of AirPlay, I was able to verify that... it was pointless, it doesn't work either. And since I'm not knowledgeable about this, I think that all these attempts may be totally absurd and destined to fail. I sought answers on Apple's support, but they almost charge me €50 for phone assistance... That’s a lot for an airport that, despite being express, is currently useless to me...
Does anyone have an idea, a new suggestion? I would be extremely grateful and thank you in advance...
Natmo

7 answers

  1. LULE
     
    Hello,
    here's how I managed to set up the Airport Express.
    1- plug in the power supply (no need for other RJ45 cables, jacks,...)
    2- create a network from the first configuration panel (do not try to do things with the options)
    3- once the network is created, click on the airport express visible in the AE assistant and click on edit.
    4- then click on wireless, and select: Join a wireless network from the Network Mode drop-down menu
    5- choose your network in the Network Name
    6- set WAP/WPA2 Personal (Freebox V6 user)
    then update and normally the light changes from blinking orange to GREEN....
    good luck
    5
    1. Bhp
       
      A big THANK YOU!!!
      0
    2. Antoine
       
      A nightmare this thing, thank you, it works perfectly!!!
      0
    3. AIRPORT
       
      Thank you. Much better than the manual! It worked in less than a minute. THANK YOU AGAIN.
      0
  2. Magnyseb
     
    So I thought it would work on the first try, but no! It took me almost 3 hours, and I was about to give up after finding nothing online.
    Well, miracle, it works!

    For those who may find it helpful: I created a network, not selecting my main wifi network, but the freewifi. I was connected via ethernet to the Freebox server during the procedure. And suddenly, the green light was on!

    I then unplugged everything and reconnected the airport to my hi-fi system via a jack cable.

    And there you go! Music from the iPad and iPhone to my hi-fi system via wifi!

    Magnyseb
    Admin

    Messages: 849
    Registration date: 01/10/2010
    2
  3. fred.ml Posted messages 4850 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   5 128
     
    Hi, I don't know if you've read my posts before, but here's a start of an answer.
    You need to understand how it works.
    Your Freebox is an ADSL modem router and an Airport Express is also a router, so they both do the same thing. By connecting both devices, you create two different networks.
    Do you have the option to connect an Ethernet cable between the Freebox and the Airport Express and another Ethernet cable between the Airport Express and your PC running Vista?

    If yes, go to the Freebox configuration page, disable Wi-Fi and router mode.
    Restart your Freebox to apply the settings. Then configure the Airport Express in a standard way. (All your devices should connect via Wi-Fi to the Airport Express)
    For me, that should work.

    As I mentioned in the other post, if you connect your PC and the Airport Express to the Freebox with router mode enabled, the Freebox will assign an IP to your computer and an IP to the Airport Express (IP for forming a single network), and if the router feature of the Airport Express is also enabled, the Airport Express will reassign a different IP (another network to avoid conflict) to the Airplay function and to the devices that connect to the Airport Express.

    Another possibility, but I'm not sure it will work:
    Leave the Freebox in its router configuration with Wi-Fi enabled, connect the computer via Ethernet, connect the Airport Express via Wi-Fi, and disable the router function of the Airport Express. (All your devices should be connected to the Freebox via Wi-Fi).
    There you go, I hope this helps you.
    1
    1. Natmo
       
      If I understand correctly, in the first scenario, my computer will also need to be on Wi-Fi on the airport? In this case, I need to equip it with a Wi-Fi key. And in the second scenario, I’m going to ask a stupid question, but how can I disable the router function of the airport?
      In any case, thank you very much because I already see more clearly on the functioning of these tools :)
      0
    2. fred.ml Posted messages 4850 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   5 128
       
      Yes, you understood, all your devices must be connected to the same router device. I do not own an Airport Express base station so I don't know if you can disable the routing function (I downloaded the manual for the Airport Express and it does not detail the configuration menus and the manual seems to say that you cannot disable router mode).
      So if you indeed cannot disable the router function of the Airport Express, then YES you must connect your computer to the Airport Express (either via Ethernet cable or WiFi by buying a key).
      Reproduce the connections as indicated in the manual. If your manual does not have a wiring diagram, click on the following link, you will see the diagram (it remains the same even if the manual at the link does not exactly match your product).

      http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1613/en_US/airmac_express-80211n-2nd-gen_setup_guide.pdf

      For the Freebox, you can ultimately leave it in its current configuration or disable router mode and WiFi, it won't change anything if you connect all your devices to the Airport Express.
      0
    3. jolyjump3r Posted messages 2055 Status Member 621
       
      To respond more simply.
      You have an Ethernet port but it's occupied (that's too bad).
      Because it promises good speed, that's true.

      Reset the Airport using the small button on the back with a pencil.

      Download the Apple AIRPORT app here:
      https://apps.apple.com/fr/app/airport-utility/id427276530

      Select the Airport via settings / Wi-Fi options.

      By default, the options are set to CREATE A NETWORK.
      Show more options and choose EXTEND A NETWORK.

      Enter your Wi-Fi password and then save.

      Have a nice day.
      0
    4. fred.ml Posted messages 4850 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   5 128
       
      Salut jolyjump3r, are you sure about what you’re writing? It seems to me that the "Extend a network" function is only available on the Airport Extreme, and not on the Airport Express.
      0
    5. jolyjump3r Posted messages 2055 Status Member 621
       
      If it is available, it's just that by default the airport creates its own network. Which is not a bad thing by the way.
      Personally, that's what I did, it allows me to have and to carry around my own network, with the same settings for the other devices, etc...
      0
  4. fred.ml Posted messages 4850 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   5 128
     
    Hi, you should know that for Apple devices to communicate with each other, they need to be on the same network, including the computer for iTunes to work.
    0
    1. fred.ml Posted messages 4850 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   5 128
       
      What was your initial idea for buying an Airport Express?
      0
    2. Natmo
       
      Hello and thank you for your response. My initial idea was to be able to stream music or radio from the iPad to the hi-fi system without having to connect the iPad directly. I'm sorry I didn't see your posts earlier. I was away for a few days, but as soon as I get back, I'll do my tests! I will move my Vista PC to the living room if necessary to set all this up. Thanks again for your advice, and I'll keep you posted.
      0
  6. ganva23 Posted messages 16 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
     
    The new iPad Air is a revolution in my opinion: http://www.open-geek-news.com/apple-presente-la-nouvelle-ipad-air/
    0
    1. jolyjump3r Posted messages 2055 Status Member 621
       
      A very nice device (64 bit, m7, all that...) but looks dull to me compared to an iPhone 5S. The next generation will certainly be better.

      Oh, and one thing that bothers me: 16 GB is insufficient with 4 GB movies and Retina applications available on the store.
      0
  7. AirSamm
     
    Hi,

    @magnyseb

    I’m not quite sure I understand exactly what you mean by freewifi.... What do you mean by that?

    I have exactly the same problem as Natmo, I'm right in the target of the post for my greatest annoyance :)

    I got help from Apple online (for free) and the guy told me the problem came from Free not "providing" the correct information to the Airport Express, preventing it from connecting to the wifi of my Freebox.

    I also want to extend my network and listen via Airplay from my Mac or iPhone.

    I tried the thing with the wap+thing key of 13 characters... nothing, it’s still blinking orange.

    So, Magnyseb, if you could clarify how you did it and let me know if it still works, that would be great...

    Otherwise, if anyone has had the problem and managed to solve it, I’m all ears!

    Thanks everyone

    AirSamm (I should have named my Airport Express in verlan ;))
    0
  8. YG
     
    I have exactly the same problem that I can't solve: namely connecting to my Wi-Fi network (Free) in client mode on the latest model of AirPort Express. It worked perfectly with an older model.

    At Apple, I'm told that the latest version can only connect to Wi-Fi emitted by an Apple device!!! (in other words, an Apple base station)

    I can't believe I need to buy 2 AirPort Express to use AirPlay...
    0
    1. fred.ml Posted messages 4850 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   5 128
       
      Hi, I can't understand what you're writing,
      the Airport Express is an Ethernet switch/router, it indeed has the Airplay function that allows sending sound from an Apple device to the audio connector on the Airport Express (the Airplay function of the Airport Express serves only this purpose).
      So either I don't understand what you've written or the logic of what you want to do is not right.
      Give details.
      Fred.
      0