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you need to do a hard reset that takes it back to factory state.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107451

hold reset button for 5 seconds until it flashes rapidly

Yes, I did that originally.

However, I wonder how Airport Utility can see it - it's not connected to the PC. Does the main base unit pass on the information to Utility? And if it doesn't, then what wireless setting should I be using?

This is interesting... when I went to the iPhone Settings > Wi-Fi, it shows the second Airport, named as the default: Apple Network 7b4ac4.

When I pulled the power cord, it disappeared. So this shows it is being seen by the iPhone, but now I have to figure out how to get it set up.

The instruction manual is no use at all. I'm relying on the good nature of the techies here!

Do you have wireless turned on on your PC?

The PC won't see the wireless router unless the wireless card is turned on.

Also there should be no need to disconnect and move the Airport because it is going through wireless anyway.

No, I don't have wireless anything, just the iPhone.

I've now wasted 6 hours on this debacle - how am I going to resolve it? I've been looking for directions online, and have come across quite a few people in the same boat. Apple needs to know.

I will now pay someone in Wellington to come and set me up. If anyone is an expert in this problem - no guesswork accepted - contact me via this thread.

I understand your frustration....these things can be more tricky than you think. Having said that, you have a slightly unusual setup.

Once you have your second airport extreme reset to default, plug it directly into your computer, bypassing the router and run airport utility from there.

You need to select the option, extend a wireless network.

Update the settings then unplug from computer and see if that works.

Kevin R wrote:
No, I don't have wireless anything, just the iPhone.

I've now wasted 6 hours on this debacle - how am I going to resolve it? I've been looking for directions online, and have come across quite a few people in the same boat. Apple needs to know.

I will now pay someone in Wellington to come and set me up. If anyone is an expert in this problem - no guesswork accepted - contact me via this thread.Whereabouts in Wellington are you? I live in Upper Hutt but work in Wellington. Maybe I could come around and check it out.

I have to admit it is a rather odd setup having two Airport routers for a single wireless device but I don't know the layout of the house so I'm picking design would be the issue here.

I think this is what you are after
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=52002
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/DesigningAirPortNetworks0190271.pdf page 49

A couple of points I think.
First
Set the airports into bridge mode, connect the devices to your main router switch ports via ethernet to the WAN port on the extremes (The other switch ports get disabled in bridge mode or at least they did)

You will need to manually assign IP's and set default gateway etc, Don't do NAT in bridged mode.

Your main router will do DHCP etc, the airports will only act as wireless access ports

Make sure both wireless networks have the same wireless network name and password.

Your base stations must have different names from the wireless network or any other device.

Matt

lowededwookie,
Thanks for your offer, I really appreciate that. If I don't get it going this weekend I'll PM you. I'm not sure why this is an unusual setup - but my house is spread out over 4 levels with my office at the bottom and lounge at the top where the signal from one base unit is not strong enough. I just want to be able to get full house access.

alsta,
I've followed your instructions and it works (hurrah!) to a point, but I'm not able to access the second unit - even though the green light shows. As soon as I remove the unit from power to shift it upstairs, it doesn't get back to green again, just flashing amber. The pics here and in the next post show what I've done, if that's any help.

celtickiwi,
That's a lot of working out, but I'm doing it now, thanks.

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