[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Flashy

No particular reason for the router, really, other than habit, but I'd want to power down if away for a weekend or on holiday. I'm not too keen on leaving the Airport Express on when not in use, though, partly because it gets so hot and partly because another LED shining in the living room constantly would irritate me. And nobody suggest a tiny bit of gaffer tape as a solution.

Personally, I think turning it off for a weekend away is a bit OTT, a 2 week holiday away fair enough, but not a weekend.

Originally Posted by Flashy

I'm not sure speed's the problem, as the router takes mere seconds to get it's initial connection – iPhone connects quickly, PCs switched on at the same time as the router have their connections as soon as they're booted up, so take longer to start than the router does.

Here's what we need to understand-when you say these machines are getting their "connections", what do you mean, "connections" to what?

Originally Posted by Flashy

If I've told it to use "same IP" for everything (and the router did remember that after being turned off), what harm does turning off the router actually do?

What do you mean by "same IP for everything"?
You set the reserved IP by device-so laptop, iphone, Airport Express etc.

Originally Posted by Flashy

Its settings seem to be preserved day-to-day. Seems the only problem is the Airport being picky about when its going to connect. I'm not unwilling to try anything, just seems this little white box is necessitating quite a lot of change to other things.

I thought you knew AE's weren't that simple to get going?

So, if everything else is coneecting to the router and the internet without any issues, then the problem lies (in theory!) with the Express's config.

Originally Posted by Flashy

Only other question about the router is whether deleting items from its devices list would cause any problems?

No problems, as long as you delete the right ones!

Originally Posted by Flashy

My laptop is listed three times in the WLAN section (as opposed to the ethernet one), for some reason. Can I delete all three and start again?

Yes, turn the laptop off (or at least turn it's wifi off), delete the 3 entries from the router, put the laptop back on your wifi and check it's IP. Then go into the router, check it matches and reserve it.

Originally Posted by Flashy

That would at least cut down on the number of IPs the router thinks need to be assigned, wouldn't it?

The router can handle something like 254 addresses, but a little housekeeping of the devices won't hurt.

Originally Posted by Flashy

Can do a screen cap this afternoon if that would help.

Nothing to lose.

Originally Posted by Flashy

I still don't understand why the AE has two WLAN entries, if I'm honest. I'll do a shot of that, too, to illustrate what I mean. Just trying to flag up anything that could be a potential conflict. Like you say, process of elimination.

Absolutely.

I'll check my router and see what mine shows and I'll stick a screenshot up).

[Flashy]

Originally Posted by Azzin

Here's what we need to understand-when you say these machines are getting their "connections", what do you mean, "connections" to what?

Sorry, again it's my choice of words causing confusion. Meant connection to the internet, wirelessly.

Originally Posted by Azzin

What do you mean by "same IP for everything"? You set the reserved IP by device-so laptop, iphone, Airport Express etc.

Again, words issue. I did that – went to each device in the router's list of devices, clicked Configure, and checked the box that said "Always use the same address".

Originally Posted by Azzin

Yes, turn the laptop off (or at least turn it's wifi off), delete the 3 entries from the router, put the laptop back on your wifi and check it's IP. Then go into the router, check it matches and reserve it.

Sorry, stupid question time – how do I check the laptop's IP?

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Flashy

Sorry, again it's my choice of words causing confusion. Meant connection to the internet, wirelessly.

No worries, as long as we understand we're all good.

Originally Posted by Flashy

Again, words issue. I did that – went to each device in the router's list of devices, clicked Configure, and checked the box that said "Always use the same address".

All good.

Originally Posted by Flashy

Sorry, stupid question time – how do I check the laptop's IP?

Hit Start, then Run.
Then type "command".
In the command prompt that then opens type ipconfig /all and you will then see your IP address by scrolling down to the wireless LAN card section.

[Flashy]

Originally Posted by Azzin

Hit Start, then Run.
Then type "command".
In the command prompt that then opens type ipconfig /all and you will then see your IP address by scrolling down to the wireless LAN card section.

Cool, thanks. When I'm home this afternoon, I'll have a look and perhaps post a batch of screenshots.

[Flashy]

A bit later than expected, but here goes. Screenshots of the router pages, each individual item and the command prompt IP config details. I've pruned the devices a little on the router, so everything's got it's own address now, with no duplicates.

Does all look in order? Also, shout if anything I've posted in the screenshots isn't really safe for uploading or something, I wasn't quite sure.

[Flashy]

It's struggling to get an IP this morning and the orange light is flashing away. It's been like that for an hour and a half. Assuming all the settings above are okay, what is there left to try?

I'd be less irritated by it if it performed consistently. It's the working one minute, not working the next despite nothing having changed that's frustrating.

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Flashy

It's struggling to get an IP this morning and the orange light is flashing away. It's been like that for an hour and a half. Assuming all the settings above are okay, what is there left to try?

I'd be less irritated by it if it performed consistently. It's the working one minute, not working the next despite nothing having changed that's frustrating.

I think maybe it's worth doing a factory reset on the AE and then configuring again from scratch, now that the router side appears ok.

You could maybe use my thread as a guide!

[Flashy]

Did a reset and ran the Airport Utility, which resulted in it all working fine with a lovely green light. But I've been here before.

Off to a wedding this afternoon, so will leave the router on but switch the Airport off and see if it manages to get the same IP when it's switched on again later. Everything in the Airport software matches with the router, so hopefully everything is as it should be.

Just one thing - at the end of set-up with the utility, is it normal for it to display the following, which I've got that each time it's restarted after set-up? "AirPort utility was unable to find your Airport wireless device after restarting. The settings for this AirPort wireless device have been successfully updated, but there was a problem rejoining the wireless network or finding the Airport wireless device. You may need to select your network in Manage Network Connections and try again".

[Flashy]

Router left on overnight, just switched on the Airport and got a green light in moments. This is an excellent breakthrough. Now I'll just have to remember to never switch the router off ever again.

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Flashy

Router left on overnight, just switched on the Airport and got a green light in moments. This is an excellent breakthrough. Now I'll just have to remember to never switch the router off ever again.

You think!?

Getting there now.

[Flashy]

Now I'm tempted to turn the router off to see if it will work since the reset and everything.

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Flashy

Now I'm tempted to turn the router off to see if it will work since the reset and everything.

If it ain't broke....

[Flashy]

Well... It was turned off, but by mistake (on the same 4-way extension lead as other things) and not by me. Turned the router back on, then the Airport Express, which failed to connect to the network and gave me the familiar flashing orange light.

At least that confirms that the Airport doesn't mind being turned off, but it doesn't like it if the router is as well. Purely out of interest, why would this be the case? Why does it work if the Airport is powered off, but not the router? As I say, just interested to know why, purely out of curiosity, as no other wireless client is so fussy.

[Azzin]

Perhaps the router is super slow at dishing out IP addresses.

Either way, stop turning them off!

[Flashy]

It's just odd that the Airport Express is the only thing that has a problem. The router manages to give IP addresses to everything else in seconds and without issue, and since fiddling, it's giving out the same one to each thing each time.

Not particularly averse to leaving things switched on, and suspect the router doesn't use too much power so won't cost much to leave on 24/7. Prefer not to leave things on, especially when they have a tendency to get a bit warm, but guess an exception's going to have to be made.

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Flashy

It's just odd that the Airport Express is the only thing that has a problem. The router manages to give IP addresses to everything else in seconds and without issue, and since fiddling, it's giving out the same one to each thing each time.

Not particularly averse to leaving things switched on, and suspect the router doesn't use too much power so won't cost much to leave on 24/7. Prefer not to leave things on, especially when they have a tendency to get a bit warm, but guess an exception's going to have to be made.

You won't even notice the router on your electric bill if you leave it on 24/7.

The only other thing to try is another router to see if you get the same "issue", but that involves getting your details from O2 to put in the new router and then doing IP address reservation again, only to maybe receive the same symptom of the AE taking a while to get it's ip after the router has been switched off.

If the AE works fine with the router being left on, then I would just leave the router on.

I think you would struggle to find many people here at AVF that turn their routers off, as it just doesn't really achieve anything.

[Flashy]

I think leaving it on is the way to go. Will investigate the AE tonight hopefully, as if it's just a case of connecting via the utility and then all's well again, it won't matter if the router's turned off for a two-week break or anything like that.

[Azzin]

I'm almost too scared to ask how it's been going!

[Flashy]

Left for work at 6.30am yesterday, got home at 7.30pm. Last thing I wanted to do was play around with it again.

Thanks to all the help in this thread, I have at least worked out exactly what the problem is (AirPort Express has issue connecting to my wireless network if router is reset) and found the solution (don't switch off router).

Based on last week's experience, I think it should be the case that I can connect to Express using the AirPort Utility and tell it everything's fine, and then it will work again. Assuming the router's not turned off, it should then carry on working.

Router being on permanently shouldn't be a problem, just need to rearrange some plugs so it's harder to switch off accidentally at the mains when doing other things. In fact, my bigger plan is to relocate the router entirely, as it's under the TV at the moment. Only issue is that whoever built our flat never assumed anything with a phone line connection would also need an electrical socket, so there are few places it can go.

And I've already been told off over the number of wires about the place...

[Azzin]

How goes it?

[Flashy]

Hmm...

Got a double whammy of people on holiday and off sick at work this week, so Monday's 13 hour day was a walk in the park compared to the days that followed and I haven't had a chance to play around. Working from home tomorrow though, so will dive into the AirPort Utility and see if it's as simple as giving the Express a bit of a nudge, and then making sure the router stays on.

Then, hopefully, I'll have a day of working in peace and quiet, apart from the music streaming to my speakers from the AirPort Express, which I'm sure will have a lovely, comforting green light on the front.

I definitely won't be sending it back, and I have much more confidence in the whole thing. I'm sure that stems from understanding its quirks and why it wasn't working. Will update tomorrow.

[Flashy]

Just been into the AirPort Utility and it can't connect to the Express (error 6753, error occurred while trying to access the base station). Guess a hard reset is going to be in order, but I'll try plugging an ethernet cable in and seeing if that's works first.

That's not for tonight, though - I've got an over to clean before someone comes to look at it tomorrow. Hopefully, seeing as the two started not working at about the same time, once the oven's fixed the AirPort will work too.


EDIT: And then, for no apparent reason, the light went green and all is well. I can even connect to it. Perhaps it was just taking a while to sort itself out IP-wise. Will have another tinker tomorrow, if only to satisfy my curiosity. I'm happy playing now, seeing as I know I can make it work with a hard reset if necessary.

[Flashy]

Switches it on this morning, gave the other half a lift to work and came home to find the Express with a green LED. Both it and the router had been off overnight (old habits hard to break). Hopefully it will continue to work without major issue. And, if not, at least I know how to resolve it.

Just want to say thanks again to everyone who helped me with this here. Azzin deserves the bulk of it, as had it not been for the encouragement and never-say-die attitude, it would have been back in its box and back to Apple quicker than it took to arrive.

Currently working from home with music streaming to a set of powered speakers, which is all I wanted it to do, so I'm happy. Well, happy apart from the sound quality from the speakers (some little Altec Lansing ones designed for PC use, which must be a good few years old), so there will be some distraction today in the form of looking at hi-fi stands and questioning why no home I've ever lived in has enough plugs in the places where I want them.

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Flashy

Switches it on this morning, gave the other half a lift to work and came home to find the Express with a green LED. Both it and the router had been off overnight (old habits hard to break). Hopefully it will continue to work without major issue. And, if not, at least I know how to resolve it.

Nice one.

What about getting one of those cheap plug timers (Ikea) that you could plug the AE and the router into and set it to switch of at say midnight and back on at say 7am?

Originally Posted by Flashy

Just want to say thanks again to everyone who helped me with this here. Azzin deserves the bulk of it, as had it not been for the encouragement and never-say-die attitude, it would have been back in its box and back to Apple quicker than it took to arrive.

Ahhhh!!

Mate, I'm no expert, but as you know I went through similar pain and with similar help here @ AVF I got it working and I love it too, so I'm just giving back!

Originally Posted by Flashy

Currently working from home with music streaming to a set of powered speakers, which is all I wanted it to do, so I'm happy. Well, happy apart from the sound quality from the speakers (some little Altec Lansing ones designed for PC use, which must be a good few years old), so there will be some distraction today in the form of looking at hi-fi stands and questioning why no home I've ever lived in has enough plugs in the places where I want them.

LOL-Glad you're enjoying it.

I'm going to be awapping my AE for an Apple TV so that I can stream photos and camcorder videos.

The AE will then be relocated to our office to enable streaming of audio from our iTunes libraries and DAB from my nice shiny new Revo AXiS DAB.

*Prepares "Apple TV-God give me strength" thread*

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Flashy

Switches it on this morning, gave the other half a lift to work and came home to find the Express with a green LED. Both it and the router had been off overnight (old habits hard to break). Hopefully it will continue to work without major issue. And, if not, at least I know how to resolve it.

Nice one.

What about getting one of those cheap plug timers (Ikea) that you could plug the AE and the router into and set it to switch of at say midnight and back on at say 7am?

Originally Posted by Flashy

Just want to say thanks again to everyone who helped me with this here. Azzin deserves the bulk of it, as had it not been for the encouragement and never-say-die attitude, it would have been back in its box and back to Apple quicker than it took to arrive.

Ahhhh!!

Mate, I'm no expert, but as you know I went through similar pain and with similar help here @ AVF I got it working and I love it too, so I'm just giving back!

Originally Posted by Flashy

Currently working from home with music streaming to a set of powered speakers, which is all I wanted it to do, so I'm happy. Well, happy apart from the sound quality from the speakers (some little Altec Lansing ones designed for PC use, which must be a good few years old), so there will be some distraction today in the form of looking at hi-fi stands and questioning why no home I've ever lived in has enough plugs in the places where I want them.

LOL-Glad you're enjoying it.

I'm going to be awapping my AE for an Apple TV so that I can stream photos and camcorder videos.

The AE will then be relocated to our office to enable streaming of audio from our iTunes libraries and DAB from my nice shiny new Revo AXiS DAB.

*Prepares "Apple TV-God give me strength" thread*

[aapierre]

Flashy

you have scared the life out of me

I'm about to embark on the AE and Apple tv route and hope I dont have to go through your pain

mind you my router is always on

[Azzin]

Unfortunately, Flashy can't reply to you as he's not allowed to remove his hands from his strait jacket!

Seriously, if you've read this thread you'll know I went through similar pain.

Well worth every moment of it IMO, getting the AE has transformed the way both SWMBO & I listen to music.

She loves it and how easy it is to use-and that's what counts right!?

[Flashy]

I'm as certain as I can be that my problems were down to the AirPort Express not being able to get an IP address – either being very slow or not getting on at all.

Since switching to WPA and assigning IP addresses to devices, everything has behaved as it should (touch wood). I was working from home last Friday, and the novelty of being able to control my entire music collection from my phone and having music playing from speakers not connected to anything except a little white box in the wall still hasn't worn off.

Originally Posted by aapierre

Flashy
you have scared the life out of me
I'm about to embark on the AE and Apple tv route and hope I dont have to go through your pain
mind you my router is always on

Seriously, don't be put off by either this thread or Azzin's. Fingers crossed everything will go just fine for you. And if you do run into problems, there are plenty of people here who were in a similar boat and who will be more than willing to help and, I'm sure, resolve it.

[Azzin]

They released you!!

[Flashy]

Just found a little quirk. When streaming from iPhone to AE, if I pause the music and leave it long enough for the phone to lock (making a coffee, for example), then when the phone's unlocked it's lost the Airplay icon. Sometimes it comes back quickly, sometimes I have to shut the iPod app down and restart it.

I presume this is because the phone disconnects (or deactivates itself or something) from the wireless network when the handset locks?

Oddly, if I lock the phone manually, whether music's playing or paused, it doesn't seem to lose connection (unless I didn't leave it long enough when testing).

Any obvious solution, other than increase the time the phone takes to lock itself?