HELP ME!! Xbox (not 360) Live info please (Now Wireless Help too)

[Alastair]

I've only just got BB and was wondering if it's worth setting up Live on my Xbox (not 360)?

Problem is I have no idea what is required and if it's worth it before I get a 360 (next year now) as it'd mainly be to play Forza.

I'm on TalkTalk and my connection speeds seem to be pretty ****e TBH. How dependant on good speeds is Live or is it more about a constant quality connection?

If someone could point me in the right direction for some info about getting setup I'd be grateful. The MS site just says what kit you need but not how to do it, can you just sign up online or do you need one of there kits from a shop?

[VR46]

Al, you need a Live sub to get your Xbox online, some games came with 2 month free trials, or with a 12 month sub included, however these are fairly hard to find

eg http://www.game.co.uk/ViewProduct.as...180&mid=327565

I used to play PGR2 fine online with my crappy 300k broadband from NTL couple of years back, so you should be fine.

As to number of people online recently, haven't a clue tbh, sure someone can enlighten you.

Oh, setup instructions should be easily found on xbox.com or good old google.

[Alastair]

Cheers Dave, saw in a different thread that there were/are 12 month Live subs with headsets going in PC world ~?20.

I understand the connections bit from the xbox site but was mainly worried about what speed connection was needed.

Wonder how I could get a 2 month trial to see what it's like first before spending any money?? Are headsets really needed?

[VR46]

Headsets aren't a necessity no, (but handy if you discuss race selections etc), try starting a Wanted thread for a 2 month code, ages ago they were everywhere and most didn't seem to have an enforced expiry date.

Connections speed wise you won't know 'til you try, but you should be OK, you might not be able to go for full grid etc in Forza and the like but you'll have no prolems I'm sure.

If you can get a free 2 month code, you'll only need to spend cash on the ethernet cable, so it's well worth a punt.

There are probably 2 month codes on ebay for peanuts ?

[Alastair]

I have an old 2 month code from PES that I thought would be no use as the expiry was over a year ago, will give it a go. If it doesn't work I'll check the forums and ebay.

Got an Ethernet cable with my wireless router so don't need to spend on that either

[Alastair]

Got it all working yesterday, good fun and no problems with the connection. Still seems to be a fair few people playing Forza too which is good news.

Next question is; how can I connect my xbox wirelessly to my wireless router? Trailing a phone extension out of one window and up through another and moving the router wasn't too much fun and will put me off playing online as much as I could. I have seen the official MS wireless thing (but can't find it now) and also this from Linksys.

Are there any other options? Something that's not specifically aimed at gaming that would work with the Ethernet connection?

Also, will whatever I buy now work with the 360 when I get it? I see the official 360 one is a USB connection but does it also have a Ethernet connection?

[Strolls]

...Next question is; how can I connect my xbox wirelessly to my wireless router? ... I have seen the official MS wireless thing (but can't find it now) and also this from Linksys.

Are there any other options? Something that's not specifically aimed at gaming that would work with the Ethernet connection?

You want a wireless bridge - this is a box which connects to your wireless network and has an ethernet port; you configure name of your wireless network, WEP key &c by connecting to a web-page on the bridge and then all devices connected to the ethernet port are joined to your LAN.

In fact, "gaming adaptor" is just a marketing synonym for "wireless bridge" - as you've demonstrated most people don't know what a wireless bridge is, so they sell more if the boxes on the shelves say "gaming adaptor".

Broadbandbuyer have a selection, including the one you linked to a LOT cheaper: http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop...CategoryID=111

Also, will whatever I buy now work with the 360 when I get it? I see the official 360 one is a USB connection but does it also have a Ethernet connection?

Wikipedia says that the 360 also does indeed have an ethernet connection so a wireless bridge would also work with it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360#Connectivity

Stroller.

[Alastair]

Thanks for that post Strolls, exactly what I wanted to know. I thought there would be a 'normal' bit of kit without all the gaming bollocks that would do exactly the same thing.

Thanks also for the link, have just ordered one for ?40 all in and it should come tomorrow or sat

[Alastair]

Right, I' well and truly stuck

Got an SMC bridge but can't work out how to get it to talk to my router.

Here's the setup, PC attached to Netgear wireless router and ADSL modem combi by way of a USB netgear wireless dongle.

What should I initially be plugging the bridge into to get it to speak to the router?

All the instructions say is place the bridge where you want it, plug it in and change your IP address to such and such, then click on config utility (on their cd) an it will work, but it doesn't Nothing happens, just says fails to connect.

Should the bridge be connected to the xbox, router or PC? Or should the router be wired to pc and then the bridge to that?

Help me - I'm confused

[EvilBoris]

I'd imagine that first off you need to connect the bridge to the PC so you can enter in the settings and 'link' it to your router.

I assume once you've done this you should be able to plug it into the xbox and it will work.

[Alastair]

You think I should turn off the network first and try to connect straight through to the bridge then? Not via the router in any way?

[EvilBoris]

UNplug the dongle from the PC and just wire up the bridge to the PC, see if you can get your internet working on your PC via the bridge.

[Strolls]

Once you've unplugged the dongle from your PC, go into the properties for the wired ethernet "local area connection" in Control Panel > Networks (on Windows XP), highlight "TCP/IP protocol" in the white box and then click on the properties button. Set IP address to 192.168.2.42, subnet mask will automatically become 255.255.255.0 and click OK. Click OK to close the connection properties window, too.

Now open a web-browser and enter "http://192.168.2.25" in the address bar - default password is "smcadmin".

Assuming yours is the SMC SMCWEBT-G you should now be able to configure it as a wireless bridge (it's actually quite a cool device because it also does repeater mode & stuff) and scan for your Netgear network. You should have set your Netgear up so it requires an encryption key, and you'll be able to enter that.

Once the web-based interface claims that the bridge is connected to the wireless network go back into TCP/IP properties of the wired ethernet connection and set it to "obtain IP address (and everything else) automatically". Click OK, close the properties window and try to surf the net - if you can surf the net on your PC through the bridge then you should be able to plug your console straight in to the bridge & job's a good 'un.

More information and manuals are at http://www.speedguide.net/broadband-view.php?hw=132

Stroller.

[Alastair]

Thanks for taking the time to write that Stroller. Really sorted me out. I had got to the webpage on the bridge before but it was mainly by luck I think.

Have now sorted it all out by taking screen shots of the relevant pages on my router login page and entering all the security details onto the bridge. Re-booting between every step was a pain though. Get router details then unplug dongle REBOOT. Enter details to bridge REBOOT. Check it works, no REBOOT. Enter correct details to bridge REBOOT. Check it works, yes, plug dongle back in and disconnect bridge REBOOT. Doesn't sound much but took ages.

Checked it on the 'box this morning and it all works fine now and so does the net on the PC too. I've succeeded getting the xbox online wirelessly and not cocking up my network, hooray.

[charlesr]

http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/showthread.php?p=877362&highlight=forza#post877362

Some people to invite to your friends list
I'll be on forza this weeked late night. Might be able to get on during the week if you want to after work.