Xbox Live

[inny]

hi, i dont know much about an xbox but i would like to know what i would need to play online i have a bt adsl connection which has usb connectivity to my pc is it possible to connect it to my xbox using usb?
thanks

[Matuka]

The Xbox will not work on USB, what model modem is it that you have?
It may also have an ethernet port (which is needed).

You also need a Live subscription starter kit that is available here for 29.99 or look for offers in your local game shops etc.

You will need to choose a gamertag & variations on it should it be taken (most are) as you cannot change it once selected.

Ideally you may be better off using a router (if you can connect one up) from your modem to connect your PC & Xbox at the same time, to enable them to share the connection. However, initially swapping the network plugs may be your choice (depending upon if you have an RJ45 port on the modem).

Have a look through the posts in this forum & there is much more info available (even an Xbox Live FAQ at the top).

[grindkid25]

yeah not much if you think about it, if you try and put an ethernet to USB converter to the xbox it wont work...just incase you go and buy one

[Tezcatlipoca]

inny,

As Matuka & grindkid have pointed out, you cannot connect the XBox to a USB modem.

What you can do, however, is leave your USB ADSL modem plugged into your PC's USB port, as normal, & put a network card into your PC & connect that to the XBox. Then all you need to do is set up Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on the PC, & you'll be able to use XBL.

Cheap (just costs a tenner for a network card) & easy to set-up. Although the drawback with ICS is that the PC must be turned on to use the XBox online.

See here: http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/live/start/connect/sharedpc/

Or, you could get a new ADSL modem, one which has ethernet (or at least has both USB & ethernet). Argos sell a Binatone ADSL modem with USB & ethernet ports. You would only be able to use one thing online at a time though - you couldn't run the PC & the XBox online at the same time.

Another alternative is to buy yourself a combined ADSL modem & router. The PC & the XBOx would both plug into this, & you would be able to use each online at the same time (or on their own - no more need to have the PC turned on to use XBox Live like with ICS). I don't use ADSL, but I have heard that the Speedtouch 530 is quite good for this. Getting a combined ADSL modem & router is probably a better idea than simply buying a new modem, as it lets you use PC & XBox at the same time, saves swapping leads, etc.


EDIT (Tez): apparently, the Binatone ADSL modem which Argos sell is actually an ADSL modem *and* router (despite what the Argos site says). ADSL modem with built-in NAT router with a DHCP server. Only has two ports (as aready said above), but that's enough if you only want to connect a PC (using USB) & an XBox (using the ethernet port).

[grindkid25]

nicely explained there Tez