Welcome to my Xbox Live page, this page details all you will need to know about connecting to Xbox Live, and playing your favourite Xbox games with other people around the globe.

You can use Xbox Live one of two ways, each one had its advantages and disadvantages which I will detail later on the page: 

1. Direct Connection - This involves connecting your Xbox directly into an ADSL Router, either using an Ethernet cable or over a Wireless Network

2. ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) - This involves connecting your Xbox to your PC by using a Crossover cable, and then your PC connecting to Broadband via a USB ADSL Modem or other type of equipment

The checklists below show what you will need for either connection type:

Direct Connection

> A compatible ADSL Router

> At least a 512kpbs compatible broadband connection

> A straight-through CAT5 Ethernet Cable

> A PC (Only for Configuration of the Router)

> Xbox Live Starter Kit

> A valid Debit or Credit Card

> Broadband Provider Connection Details (DNS Addresses)

 

ICS (Internet Connection Sharing)

 

> A USB ADSL Modem, or other equipment provided by Broadband Provider

> At least a 512kpbs compatible broadband connection

> A Xbox System Link Cable or Ethernet Crossover Cable

> A PC

> Xbox Live Starter Kit

> A valid Debit or Credit Card

> Broadband Provider Connection Details (DNS Addresses)

 

Advantages and Disadvantages - Direct Connection

 

The Direct Connection is the most efficient solution as it only requires to be plugged into a Router and doesn't rely on the PC's USB Connection to the broadband equipment, however the router will cost extra on top of you broadband connection and will require some configuration, help with this can be found on the Broadband section of this site.

Advantages and Disadvantages - ICS

The ICS Option will usually require no purchase of extra equipment, and therefore will reduce costs, however in order to use this option, you must have your PC turned on whilst playing Xbox Live and your PC must be installed with a Ethernet Card, if you are unsure please check with your PC documentation or look for a port on the back which is identical to the one found on the back of the Xbox.

For my Xbox Connection I have used the Direct Connection option as I have a Wireless Network, and have found that it gives better performance when playing games, but I will detail the setup for both on this page.

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Direct Connection

 

To begin you will need to make sure that your router is completely configured, and works with a PC connected directly into it, please see the Broadband section for information on how to configure an ADSL Router, I would recommend that if you have the option to use DHCP on your router, to turn it on as this will make connecting much easier.

 

Also make a note of the following information from your Router, as you may need it during the setup of your Xbox 

Live connection:

 

> DNS Addresses (Primary and Secondary)

> IP Address Range

> Router IP Address

 

Turn on the router, and make sure that the correct lights are displayed for an ADSL connection, please consult your router documentation for advice on this.
The next step is to insert the Xbox Live Starter CD into the Xbox, newer Xbox's may not need this CD as they come with the Xbox Live Software already installed, if your main start-up screen however looks like the one to the left then you will need to insert the CD. Which will update your Xbox with the necessary Xbox Live update.

Even if you already have the Xbox Live option on the menu screen, I would recommended placing the CD in anyway in case it has any updates to Xbox Live.

When the screen refreshes to show an option where you can select the demos of Moto GP or Whacked it will have finished updating your Xbox, remove the CD from the Xbox.

The Xbox Start-up screen should now look like the image on the left, if not then the CD has not completed the update, in which case you should try using the CD again.

After you get this screen turn off the Xbox.
Insert one end of your Ethernet Cable into one of your LAN ports on the back of your router, and insert the other end into the back of the Xbox and switch it on, you should notice that on the back of your router some lights flashing by the LAN ports, which shows that the router and Xbox are physically connected.

Now select the Xbox Live option from the Xbox Menu, it will now automatically detect you connection and either present you with the screen to the left, or if there is a problem you will be taken to the Network Setup screen.

At the Network Screen the Xbox will automatically detect what is causing the problem, you may have enter the IP Address and DNS Addresses manually, ignore the PPPoE option as the majority of broadband providers do not use it in the UK. If you are with Tiscali, and have a similar setup to my Broadband connection, use the settings below:

IP Address: 10.0.0.100

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Router/Default Gateway: 10.0.0.2

 

Primary DNS Server: 212.74.112.66

Secondary DNS Server: 212.74.112.67

 

(If you don't know what your DNS Addresses are click here)

Then come out of the Network Setup, and click 'Connect' the Xbox should now try again to connect to Xbox Live, chose the New Account option.
You will then be asked to enter your Subscription Code, this will be under a scratch pad which is located on the inside of the Xbox Live CD Case.

Make sure you only scratch off the covering, I tried to peel it off and nearly lost the number.

This code will activate your account and give you the twelve months free subscription to Xbox Live. 
After you have entered your Subscription Code, you will then be asked to enter all of your various personal details including your Credit or Debit Card details, they will only charge once the twelve months have expired.

Once all that has been completed you will then be asked to chose your Gamertag, this is your personal identifier on Xbox Live, chose wisely as once you have chosen it you cannot change it.

It will also ask you if you want to put a security code on your Account which means that anyone who tries to access your Xbox Live account from your Xbox has to enter a code of four Xbox controller movements, for example: up, down, left, right. I would recommend doing this.

Once everything has been completed, you will be presented with a screen like the one to the left, which means that you are connected to Xbox Live, all you have to do now is put in a Live enabled game and enjoy !

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ICS (Internet Connection Sharing)

To begin make sure that you PC is turned on and that you are connected to the internet, when connected  you will normally get a message similar to the one on the right if using Win XP or Win 2000, to enable ICS on your machine you will need to ensure that you have administrative access to your PC.

Open the Network and Dial-up Connections folder. Then right click on your ADSL Connection that you want to share and select Properties. (1st Picture)

Click the Advanced tab, then check Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection. (2nd Picture)

Click here either of the links below for further assistance with this:

Link 1       Link 2

Once you have enabled ICS on your PC, connect one end of the System Link or Crossover cable into the Xbox (Turned Off) and the other end into the PC.
Turn on the Xbox and run through the setup procedure mentioned in the Direct Connection, it shouldn't ask you for any of the settings except maybe the DNS Addresses.

Everything should run through okay, and you will hopefully be presented with the screen to the right, click here for more assistance with ICS.

Please note if you use the internet whilst playing Xbox Live it will adversely affect online game play