AirPort 4.1/Firmware 5.5 (#4): DSL modem resets; deleting printers; reverting AirPort Express firmware

We've received a number of suggestions for those experiencing problems after installing the AirPort 4.1 update and AirPort Extreme Firmware 5.5:

Modem reset helps Reader John Hopper reports that resetting his ISP's ADSL modem fixed problems he had been experiencing since installing Extreme Firmware 5.5:

"Thought I'd weigh in this. My base station also had problems after the Firmware 5.5 update was installed. After reading some other forums I finally tried powering off my ISP's modem (we connect through an ADSL modem using PPPoE), then did a hard reset of the base station. This allowed me to connect to it again via an ethernet cable (didn't try the wireless way...) and reconfigured it accordingly. I powered the modem back up and waited half a minute and all was well again."

Deleting printer to restore printing We previously suggested that users having trouble printing via a printer connected to the Base Station's USB port should try to delete the printer in Printer Setup Utility and then set it up again. We've received mostly positive feedback from readers: Most confirm that the procedure restored printing functionality. However, a few didn't find success. For example, Juha Halmekangas noted that if the Base Station simply can't see the printer at all, you won't be able to set it up again. For users like Juha, the only solution so far has been to revert their Base Station to older firmware. (See the next item.)

Reverting AirPort Express to older firmware Although we recommend this procedure only as a last resort, a number of MacFixIt readers have reported that restoring their AirPort Express's firmware to an older version has restored functionality. For those who have come to such a dead end, Juha Halmekangas provides instructions for reverting the AirPort Express (not the Extreme Base Station) to an older firmware:

1. Find the original AirPort Express software CD that came with the AirPort Express.
2. Download and install Pacifist (a utility that lets you extract files from Apple Installer packages).
3. On the AirPort Express software CD, find the file AirPortSW.pkg. (It's an invisible file, so the easiest way to find it is to use the Finder's Find command, using the "visible and invisible items" option. Also, at the top of the window, choose "Specific places" from the "Search in" pop-up menu; then make sure only the AirPort Express software CD is checked.) Drag the AirPortSW.pkg file onto the Pacifist application icon to open it in Pacifist.
4. In Pacifist, expand the disclosure triangles to locate the file /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.frameworks/Versions/A/Resources/APBinary4.dat.
5. Select the APBinary4.dat file in Pacifist and then click the "Extract To..." button in the toolbar; save the file to your Desktop.
6. Using the Finder's Get Info command, rename the new file on your Desktop from APBinary4.dat to APBinary4.bin.
7. Launch Airport Admin Utility, select your AirPort Express and click Configure.
8. Click the Upload button in the toolbar, select the file APBinary4.bin, and then upload it.

The AirPort Express should now have Firmware 6.0.

We haven't tested this procedure ourselves, so use it at your own risk.

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