Is AirPort Express an evil tool designed to drive Mac users crazy? I'm thinking "Yes."
Here's my current setup:
iMac 27" mid-2010 w/16 GB RAM
I have an Xfinity X1 modem connected to my router via Ethernet. I use an Airport Express exclusively to get audio from my iMac to my sound system via Airplay. After numerous startup hiccups, this has worked pretty well for me for a couple years. I also use the Remote app on my iPad Mini 2 to control the feed from iTunes on my iMac.
Problems started to occur after I "upgraded" to Yosemite. Music would drop out for seconds to minutes at a time. Yesterday I got the dreaded flashing amber light on the Airport Express. Now I've spent hours trying to get BOTH my Internet and my Airplay working at the same time. I've looked at numerous instructions on message boards and Apple's site, including this one: Wi-Fi base stations: How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes - Apple Support.
I am able to get things working by running an Ethernet cable directly from my router to the AEx. Everything looks good in Airport Utility, green light solid on the unit. But as soon as I disconnect the Ethernet cable I get the flashing amber light. (Sorry, but it is not convenient to keep a permanent Ethernet connection running over 30+ feet from my router upstairs to the AEx downstairs.) When I click in Airport Utility I get the message: "Device not found. XXX Airport Express was previously part of your network. Check that it is still in range of your network and is plugged into a power unit. Forgetting this device removes it from this network." If I try to connect to it from iTunes I get "Unknown error (-65568)"
To get the AEx to work via Ethernet I have to set it up using Bridge Mode. If I try to use DHCP and NAT (where it was originally) it gives me a "double NAT" error.
BTW, I have done numerous hard resets with no effect. I end up with the message about the AEx being previously part of this network. If I click on "Other Wi-Fi Devices" it shows up with an Apple ID number. When I try to activate THAT it tells me to connect via Ethernet and I end up back in the same place, i.e., as soon as I disconnect from Ethernet it starts blinking amber.
There just has to be a better way.
I've already spent hours on this. I could speculate and experiment endlessly, but maybe it's time to fall back on the collective knowledge of this community.
Here's my current setup:
iMac 27" mid-2010 w/16 GB RAM
I have an Xfinity X1 modem connected to my router via Ethernet. I use an Airport Express exclusively to get audio from my iMac to my sound system via Airplay. After numerous startup hiccups, this has worked pretty well for me for a couple years. I also use the Remote app on my iPad Mini 2 to control the feed from iTunes on my iMac.
Problems started to occur after I "upgraded" to Yosemite. Music would drop out for seconds to minutes at a time. Yesterday I got the dreaded flashing amber light on the Airport Express. Now I've spent hours trying to get BOTH my Internet and my Airplay working at the same time. I've looked at numerous instructions on message boards and Apple's site, including this one: Wi-Fi base stations: How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes - Apple Support.
I am able to get things working by running an Ethernet cable directly from my router to the AEx. Everything looks good in Airport Utility, green light solid on the unit. But as soon as I disconnect the Ethernet cable I get the flashing amber light. (Sorry, but it is not convenient to keep a permanent Ethernet connection running over 30+ feet from my router upstairs to the AEx downstairs.) When I click in Airport Utility I get the message: "Device not found. XXX Airport Express was previously part of your network. Check that it is still in range of your network and is plugged into a power unit. Forgetting this device removes it from this network." If I try to connect to it from iTunes I get "Unknown error (-65568)"
To get the AEx to work via Ethernet I have to set it up using Bridge Mode. If I try to use DHCP and NAT (where it was originally) it gives me a "double NAT" error.
BTW, I have done numerous hard resets with no effect. I end up with the message about the AEx being previously part of this network. If I click on "Other Wi-Fi Devices" it shows up with an Apple ID number. When I try to activate THAT it tells me to connect via Ethernet and I end up back in the same place, i.e., as soon as I disconnect from Ethernet it starts blinking amber.
There just has to be a better way.
I've already spent hours on this. I could speculate and experiment endlessly, but maybe it's time to fall back on the collective knowledge of this community.