Apple releases AirPort 4.1 Software: Issues with network access, printers; workaround

Apple has released AirPort 4.1 for Mac OS X 10.3.x, which supports all models of Apple AirPort base stations including the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express models. The new release includes the following enhancements:

• Supports Keyspan Express Remote for use with AirTunes (AirPort Express only)
• Support for WPA security on WDS networks
• Ability to rename a USB printer connected to a base station

Most users are reporting no problems with the update, but a handful of those applying the upgrade have lost networking capabilities.

One reader writes:

"My Airport Express now simply winks orange at me and the Airport Set-up Assistant does not see my Airport Express at all. I tried booting with a fresh system on an alternative HD which did not have the 4.1 update applied with no luck. The firmware updater seems to have caused problems with the actual Airport Express device. I now have no networking capabilities."

Other users are reporting disappearance of USB printers after applying the update:

"Installed update and firmware and lost my Brother 1440 printer. The Airport network would not see it. Had to downgrade back to 5.4 firmware and the printer worked again."

Workaround The simple fix providing the most success in resolving the above issues is a hard reset of the AirPort Base Station or AirPort Express. This is achieved by using the reset button, as indicated in the following Apple Knowledge Base articles:

• Resetting the AirPort Base Station (Dual Ethernet)
• Resetting AirPort Express
• Resetting the AirPort Extreme Base Station
• Resetting the AirPort Base Station (Graphite)

If you are still having problems after a reset, try unplugging the AirPort unit from its power source for a few minutes, plugging it back in and attempting network access again.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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