Airport Network Not Recognizing A Time Capsule Hard Drive.

Symptom:
The Airport Network is not finding a Time Capsule Disk.


Possible Cause:
The base station is misconfigured, or corrupt.


Possible Cure:
Reset the Base Station, Softly:
Reset the Base Station, Brutally.


Reconfigure the darn thing.



1.) To reset the Base Station [either way], follow Apple’s instructions Here.  [<- Click]
A good article describing the location of the reset button for your model, how to perform a soft or hard reset, and what the ramifications of the said reset would be.


2.) Assuming the above didn’t work; Please deposit twenty-five cents for the next half-hour.

IF; The base station is the only wireless access point:
The Airport Utility located in  /Applications/Utilities  may ask you to restore your previous base station settings. Click ‘Restore’ to automatically re-enter those settings; after the base station reboots, try the wireless connection again. If all else fails, reconfigure the base station from scratch.


IF; The base station is part of a network (multiple router / gateways):
Consider these potential issues;


• A newer “dual-band” base station has two ‘networks', one for older [WiFi B, and WiFi G (faster) access], and a separate one for newer [WiFi N (even faster, and with greater distance potential) access].
If older (non-N) devices aren’t a consideration, then the router / gateway placement isn’t a problem. However, if older devices which can only connect to older (B, or G) networks are present, they can slow the entire network down to B or G speeds.

• The more networks present, especially for B and G networks [neighbours, and possibly other devices such as wireless phones, or microwaves], the greater the chance of conflict [11 channels or frequencies available; N networks have 149], resulting in slower speeds, and / or connectivity issues.

• The environment plays a part in the distance of a network; distances are quoted as "line-of-sight" [unobstructed]; variations such as buildings [their construction; vent work location, steel surroundings, wiring placement], and airwave congestion may restrict the access to a network.

• Current Comcast / Xfinity ‘Dory’ gateways [SMCD3GNV] cannot have their wireless network deactivated and, as such, always occupy a frequency.


That being read, you may need to consider the placement of the routers / gateways to compliment one another without conflict.

Do you wish to extend the network, like a Wireless Distribution System (WDS)? Several links to help configuring exist for different configurations:
[with Thanks to ddavel]

Airport Utility Help

Apple BaseStation Help

Airport Express for wired connection

Airport Express help

Apple Support Communities

Apple WDS B and G networks

Designing Airport Networks (Manual)

Advanced help
TechyV website
Various other issues examine here.

Mac OS X (10.7) Lion WiFi Not Connecting:

Symptom:
Airport shows connected to a network, the computer has an IP address, but has no connectivity.

Possible cure:
Open 'System Preferences’.

Click ‘Network’.
    -If the padlock icon (lower left of window) is locked, click it to enter your password.

Click ‘Location: ‘ and select ‘Edit Locations’.

Click the little plus sign to add a new location to the list.
    -name the location (for example: Default).

Insure the new location is selected (currently in use).

Optional: You can further set the connection priority by clicking the gear icon, and setting the service order.



The issue should be resolved.

windows 7 forgetting your network drive login?

Is windows 7 not remembering your network password?!?

...really!?! -sarcasm.

Click 'the windows Marble' [Aqua-blue bubble encompassing the windows symbol ...replacing the 'Start' menu] -Lower left hand corner, usually.

Click 'Control Panel'

Click [If viewed by categories] 'User Account and Family Safety' ["Safety?!?" ...This IS windows....] then click 'Credential Manager'

Or [If viewed by icons; just] 'Credential Manager'

Click 'Add a windows Credential'

Enter the IP address of the server [example: 10.0.1.1], or the server name [example: \\Bootcamp\winblows 7*]

or theserver.whatever.com*, with the Username*, and password* as prompted.

Click 'OK'

This should force windows to remember your network login.

"May the farce [sic] be with you."

* Examples WILL vary;

Enter the username and password of a valid account for the router itself in a browser. [http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.1698.0.1 as an IP Address, with 'admin' as a username and 'password' as the password, when prompted. -Consult the CD, manual, or online dox of the router brand for clarity.]

...Still having issues, apparently placing files in the root directory will work, just relocate it into the subfolder after transfer.

Configuring USB printers to Apple Airport Base Station with windows 7

From the previous post:

After troubleshooting an entire day, I was able to connect a HP PSC 2110 printer plugged into an Apple Airport Base Station (wireless router/hard drive) and print from an old Dell running windows XP, and a new MacBook Pro running windows 7.

The Apple laptop (while running Mac OS 10.6) printed as soon as I joined the wireless network, so I knew the network, printer, and computer were operating properly.

However, booting the Apple laptop into windows 7 (ultimate edition) was a different story.

The machine failed to see the printer; it would surf the net fine, but no printer.

The same held true for the Dell (windows XP); surfed OK, no printer available.

After Googling around for a  quick  fix, I began to troubleshoot:

This is the result of that nightmare...

windows 7:

Click to configure USB printers to Apple Airport Base Station with windows XP.

[SECTION 1]  Preliminary.

If using multiple computers, work with one at a time.

Verify you have web connectivity. (If not, correct this before proceeding.)

Install the printer directly to the computer following the printers directions; run the disk, or download the software from the manufacturers site. (This insures the drivers are resident on the machine.)

Print a test page.

Printed?  Good.

Take a deep breath.

Unplug the printer USB cable from the computer, and plug it into the Airport Base Station.

Disable your firewall software. (EX: Norton, McAfee, windows, etc... This is temporary.)

[SECTION 2]  Adding the printer.

Click 'Start' (windows marble),

Select 'Devices and Printers',

Click 'Add a printer'.

The Add Printer Wizard starts up,

Click 'Next',

Select 'Add a local printer', (Yes, Local. NOT network, wireless or Bluetooth.)

Choose 'Create a new port', and select 'Standard TCP/IP Port'

Click 'Next',

Enter the Airport Base Station's IP Address (Default is 10.0.1.1),

Choose a port, and change the Port name to reflect the new port (9100, 9101 worked for me, or 9202),

Click 'Next',
Select 'Custom', and Click 'Settings',
Change the Raw Settings Port Number to your selected port,

Click 'OK',
Click 'Next',

[SECTION 3]  Installing the printer driver.

Select your printers manufacturer from the list at left.
Select your printers model from the list at right.

(If the model isn't listed, Click the 'Windows Update' button to download more from the web; be patient, this may take several minutes, depending on internet and processor speed....)

(If the model still isn't listed, pick the closest one; this will be replaced later with the pre-installed one.)

Click 'Next',

(If asked to choose whether to keep existing driver, or replace, keep existing, unless your compelled to choose otherwise.., and Click 'Next')

Change the printer name.   EX: yourprintername (Wireless)

Select default or not,

Click 'Next'

Select 'Do not share this printer' (as it will be networked),

Click 'Next', continue on to...

[SECTION 4]  Tuning the printer driver.

Click 'Print Test Page';

-Prints?; Yes? Click 'Finish' (or 'OK'); continue at [section 7].

No test print?; Click 'Finish', (or 'OK'),

Click 'Start' (windows marble)

Select 'Devices and Printers'

Right-Click your new printer icon, and select 'Printer Properties',

Choose the 'Advanced' tab,

Look at the listed Driver:

Does it match your printer's model?

If YES; the listed driver matches your printer model, continue at [section 5].

If NO, select the printer from the drop-down list,

Click 'OK',

Click the 'General' tab,

Click 'Print Test Page'; -Prints?; -Yes? Click 'Finish' (or 'OK'); continue at [section 7].

No test print?; Continue on to...

[SECTION 5]  Tweaking the printer driver.

Click the 'Ports' tab,

Uncheck 'Enable bidirectional support',

Click the 'General' tab,

Click 'Print Test Page',

     Prints?; -Yes? Click 'Finish' (or 'OK'); continue at [section 7].

No test print?; Click the 'Ports' tab,

Check 'Enable bidirectional support',

The highlighted port in the list should be your newly added port,

Click 'Configure Port',

Change the port number to 9100, or 9101, or 9202 and modify the Port Name to reflect the new port number,

Click 'OK',

Click the 'General' tab,

Click 'Print Test Page',

     Prints?; -Yes? Click 'Close'; continue at [section 7].

No test print?

Repeat trying all the ports in [SECTION 5]

If all ports fail;

[SECTION 6]  Brute Force

Close any open windows.

Click 'Start' (windows marble),

Select 'Devices and Printers',

Right-Click on the new, non-working printer we tried to setup, and select 'Remove device',

Click 'Add a printer'

Click 'Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer',

If by some miracle, the printer actually appears, try it, I'll wait here.

Click 'The printer that I want isn't listed'

Click 'Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname',

Click 'Next',

Select the device type 'TCP/IP Device'

Enter the Airport IP address (The default is 10.0.1.1)

Add something like "Jet Direct" to the Port name,

Click 'Next',

Select 'Hewlett Packard Jet Direct' (The actual printer brand doesn't matter at this point, its just a printing format.)

Click 'Next',

Refer back to [Section 3] for tuning and tweaking....

{If after trying all listed ports, and the generic driver, you are unable to print, we suggest posting to the manufacturers forums for further help.}

[SECTION 7]  Completion.

Re-enable your firewall.

Try printing,

     Prints?; -Yes? Great, you're done with this machine.

No, not printing? Open the port you configured in your firewall software.

For example, if you've installed the current (2010) Norton Security Suite, you would run the program, hover the cursor over 'PC Security' and select 'Manage Firewall',

Select the 'Traffic Rules' tab,

Click 'Add',

Select 'Allow', Click 'Next',

Select 'Connections to and from other computers', Click 'Next',

Select 'Any computer in the local subnet' Click 'Next',

Select protocol to allow 'TCP',

Select 'Only communications that match all types and ports listed below',

Click 'Add',

Select 'Individually specified ports',

Select 'Local',

Enter your printer port (9100, 9101, 9202) you configured, Click 'Next',

Select 'Create an event log entry',

Select 'Apply this rule', Click 'Next',

Rename the rule (EX: Wireless Printing Port XXXX), Click 'Next'

Click 'Finish', Click 'Apply', Click 'Close'

{Please refer to your firewall software support network for its specifics}

Click to configure USB printers to Apple Airport Base Station with windows XP.

Configuring USB printers to Apple Airport Base Station with windows XP

After troubleshooting an entire day, I was able to connect a HP PSC 2110 printer plugged into an Apple Airport Base Station (wireless router/hard drive) and print from an old Dell running windows XP, and a new MacBook Pro running windows 7.

The Apple laptop (while running Mac OS 10.6) printed as soon as I joined the wireless network, so I knew the network, printer, and computer were operating properly.
However, booting the Apple laptop into windows 7 (ultimate edition) was a different story.
The machine failed to see the printer; it would surf the net fine, but no printer.
The same held true for the Dell (windows XP); surfed OK, no printer available.
After Googling around for a  quick  fix, I began to troubleshoot:


This is the result of that nightmare...




windows XP:
Click to configure USB printers to Apple Airport Base Station with windows 7.


[SECTION 1]

If using multiple computers, work with one at a time.

Verify you have web connectivity. (If not, correct this before proceeding.)

Install the printer directly to the computer following the printers directions; run the disk, or download the software from the manufacturers site. (This insures the drivers are resident on the machine.)

Print a test page.
Printed?  Good.

Take a deep breath.
Unplug the printer USB cable from the computer, and plug it into the Airport Base Station.

Disable your firewall software. (EX: Norton, McAfee, windows, etc... This is temporary.)



[SECTION 2]

Click 'Start',
Select 'Printers and Faxes',
Click 'Add Printer'.

The Add Printer Wizard starts up,
Click 'Next',
Select 'Local Printer',
Uncheck 'Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer'. (Yes, Local. NOT network.)



















Click 'Next',
Select 'Create a new port',



















Choose 'Standard TCP/IP Port' from the drop-down menu,

Click 'Next'.
The Add Standard TCP/IP Port Wizard starts, click 'Next'.
Enter the Airport Base Station IP address (Default is 10.0.1.1)
Add (or change) the port number to 9100, or 9101 worked for me, or 9202 and modify the Port Name to reflect the new port number:

Click 'Next',
Select 'Custom',
Click 'Settings'
Change the Raw Settings Port Number to reflect your port number, and Click 'OK',

Click 'Next'.
Click 'Finish'
Select your printer's manufacturer from the list on the left.
Select your printer's model from the list on the right.

(If the model isn't listed, Click the 'Windows Update' button to load more from the web; be patient, this may take several minutes, depending on internet and processor speed....)

(If the model still isn't listed, pick the closest one; this will be replaced later with the pre-installed one.)

Click 'Next',
(If asked to choose whether to keep existing driver, or replace, keep existing, unless your compelled to choose otherwise.., and Click 'Next')

Change the printer name.   EX: yourprintername (Wireless)
Select default or not,
Click 'Next'
Select 'Do not share this printer' (as it will be networked),
Click 'Next', continue on to...


[SECTION 3]

Click 'Print Test Page'; -Prints?; Yes? Click 'Finish' (or 'OK'); continue at [section 5].

No test print?; Click 'Finish', (or 'OK'),
Click 'Start'
Select 'Printers and Faxes'
Right-Click your new printer icon, and select 'Properties',
Choose the 'Advanced' tab,
Look at the listed Driver:

Does it match your printer's model?

If YES; the listed driver matches your printer model, continue at [section 4].

If NO, select the printer from the drop-down list,
Click 'OK',
Click the 'General' tab, Start again at [section 3].


[SECTION 4]

Click the 'Ports' tab,
Uncheck 'Enable bidirectional support',
Click the 'General' tab,
Click 'Print Test Page',


     Prints?; -Yes? Click 'Finish' (or 'OK'); continue at [section 5].

No test print?; Click the 'Ports' tab,
Check 'Enable bidirectional support',

The highlighted port in the list should be your newly added port,

Click 'Configure Port',

Change the port number to 9100, or 9101, or 9202 and modify the Port Name to reflect the new port number,

Click 'OK',

Click the 'General' tab,

Click 'Print Test Page',

     Prints?; -Yes? Click 'Close'; continue at [section 5].

No test print?

Start over again at [SECTION 4]  {If after trying all listed ports, you are unable to print, we suggest posting to the manufacturers forums for further help.]

[SECTION 5]

Re-enable your firewall.
Try printing,

     Prints?; -Yes? Great, you're done with this machine.

No printing? Open the port you configured in your firewall software.

For example, if you've installed the current (2010) Norton Security Suite, you would run the program, hover the cursor over 'PC Security' and select 'Manage Firewall',

Select the 'Traffic Rules' tab,

Click 'Add',
Select 'Allow', Click 'Next',
Select 'Connections to and from other computers', Click 'Next',
Select 'Any computer in the local subnet' Click 'Next',
Select protocol to allow 'TCP',
Select 'Only communications that match all types and ports listed below',
Click 'Add',
Select 'Individually specified ports',
Select 'Local',
Enter your printer port (9100, 9101, 9202) you configured, Click 'Next',
Select 'Create an event log entry',
Select 'Apply this rule', Click 'Next',
Rename the rule (EX: Wireless Printing Port XXXX), Click 'Next'
Click 'Finish', Click 'Apply', Click 'Close'

{Please refer to your firewall software support network for its specifics}




Click to configure USB printers to Apple Airport Base Station with windows 7.

Mac OS X 10.5 Reference Screen Shots: Network

Click the images for a larger view.

Mac OS X 10.4 Reference Screen Shots: Network

Click the images for a larger view.

Mac OS X 10.3 Reference Screen Shots: Network

Click on the images for a larger view.

Mac OS X 10.2 Reference Screen Shots: Network

Click the images for a larger view.

Ask Dr. Mac!

Rob Base, an IT analyst from SanFran USA is willing to answer your Mac (even general computing) questions!

Good Stuff.

Maintaining server connections:

Symptom:

Intermittent server connection dropouts and/or failures upon (re)connection.

Possible solution:

Hardwired connections - Turn Off Airport.

   If a server timeout occurs, Airport may obtain an IP address, before attempting reconnection.

   If possible manually input a static IP address toward the higher range of the IP pool.

   Creating a new location may help if the network is used frequently.

      'Network' preference pane, hold down 'Location:', select 'Edit locations' [or 'New location'] from the pop-up menu, click the plus sign [or select a name] to add a new location.

Wireless connections - Check your Airport network.

   If a server timeout occurs, or the signal drops, Airport may switch to another network.

   

   In the 'Network' preference pane, check the 'Ask to join new networks' option.

   You may need to delete previously joined open networks from the 'Advanced' - 'Preferred Networks' list.

WPA and Airport (B) possible solution.

Problem:
Airport gives a generic "...error joining Airport network" response while attempting to connect to a WPA encrypted network.

Possible solution:
Using the 'Airport Admin Utility' from an OS prior to 10.5 NOT the newer 'Airport Utility' offers an option which apparently has been dropped. as of this writing

First, get it. (Airport Admin Utility 4.2 (420.31) (I had an older Mac with I moved it from.)

Second, run it on a computer on the network. It may need to be cabled, not wireless

And...

Double-click (or select the Base station listed and click 'Configure').

A window opens with the name of your Base station, Click the 'Airport' tab, far top left.

Click the 'Change Wireless Security' button toward the bottom of the right side.

See the 'Encryption Type' option midway down? ...Yeah, Must be set to 'WPA Only'.

(The 'Wireless Security' option at the top will switch to 'WPA Personal')

Assuming the Base Station is otherwise straight, this was prolly the issue.