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Sony’s PlayStation 3 includes a wireless networking adapter, but Microsoft’s Xbox 360 does not. To make matters worse, Microsoft doesn’t let you buy a generic USB adapter, so you have to buy its adapter at its $100 price. Meanwhile, putting your Xbox 360 on your home network is important, that is, if you want to take advantage of the system’s numerous media sharing capabilities. But unfortunately, not everybody has Ethernet cables running throughout the house or a router right next to the Xbox 360. Wireless is your best bet, but you shouldn’t have to pay through the nose for it. You probably paid less than $100 for the router that controls your entire home network, which makes $100 a steep price just to add a single component to an already expensive habit (gaming). Fortunately, several workarounds have surfaced since the Xbox 360’s debut. I’ll evaluate these wireless tricks based on complexity and compatibility. Of course, workarounds will not work with every system. There are simply too many routers and network setups out there to predict every variable, so your mileage may vary. But the good news here is that none of our workarounds require opening your Xbox 360 (or otherwise voiding your warranty). All you’ll do is hurt Bill Gates’ feelings. Consider it revenge for your most recent encounter with Windows' infamous "blue screen of death." |
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By Anthony Celeste , published on March 17, 2009 at 11:50 AM
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This is all very nice ways to save money, thank you tomsguides. I've already bought a $100 adapter but i could use the laptop method which is neat.
One more method i would like to know is using the psp's built in wireless. If you guys could try to set that up, it'll be awesome as i never use mine anymore.
At first I got excited, thinking this was maybe an article about how to reflash firmware on an off-the-shelf USB wireless adapter or something, not a re-hash of the 1,492,391 other ITENTICAL articles on every gaming site on the internet.
I meant Identical
I have the linksys wireless wga54g gaming adapter that I used for my original xbox. I was able to configure it so a xbox360.. or computer (currently using it for this) can get internet wirelessly..
Pretty sure you cant just buy it on the shielf and have it work unless u first set it up on a computer with the right settings and have the 360 configured properly as well... anywho some combination of my tinkering made it work.. go me.
but... I like faster speeds.. so i just run a 25ft cable across the room when i want to game :-D
I have the linksys wireless wga54g gaming adapter that I used for my original xbox. I was able to configure it so a xbox360.. or computer (currently using it for this) can get internet wirelessly..
Pretty sure you cant just buy it on the shielf and have it work unless u first set it up on a computer with the right settings and have the 360 configured properly as well... anywho some combination of my tinkering made it work.. go me.
but... I like faster speeds.. so i just run a 25ft cable across the room when i want to game :-D
Yeah a 50ft cable and a switch was considerably cheaper than a wireless adapter. Heck I even bough a usb ethernet adapter for my Wii.
At first I got excited, thinking this was maybe an article about how to reflash firmware on an off-the-shelf USB wireless adapter or something, not a re-hash of the 1,492,391 other ITENTICAL articles on every gaming site on the internet.
uwgibson,
I'm sorry if you've read this stuff before, but many of our Tom's Guide audience doesn't visit gaming sites, so we thought it would be useful for them--especially since many non-gamers are buying the Xbox 360 for its networking/media capabilities.
Thanks,
Rachel Rosmarin
Editor of Tom's Guide
uwgibson,I'm sorry if you've read this stuff before, but many of our Tom's Guide audience doesn't visit gaming sites, so we thought it would be useful for them--especially since many non-gamers are buying the Xbox 360 for its networking/media capabilities.Thanks,Rachel RosmarinEditor of Tom's Guide
HOLY CRAP!!!! Tom's employees are finally fightng back.Sooner or later we'll see Parrish cursing at every person that says he's bad at his job!
uwgibson,I'm sorry if you've read this stuff before, but many of our Tom's Guide audience doesn't visit gaming sites, so we thought it would be useful for them--especially since many non-gamers are buying the Xbox 360 for its networking/media capabilities.Thanks,Rachel RosmarinEditor of Tom's Guide
I'm sorry, I phrased that incorrectly. I meant to say "re-hash of the 1,492,391 other ITENTICAL articles on every gaming / technology site on the internet". I incorrectly singled out gaming sites, and for that i'm sorry. It's not just gaming sites that cut and paste that information.
I'm sorry, I phrased that incorrectly. I meant to say "re-hash of the 1,492,391 other ITENTICAL articles on every gaming / technology site on the internet". I incorrectly singled out gaming sites, and for that i'm sorry. It's not just gaming sites that cut and paste that information.
Mavroxur,
Sorry I called you by the wrong name before--my apologies. I would also never suggest that we were the first people to come up with these Xbox260 wifi workarounds. But the truth is that we did test each method and come up with what I hope is a useful list of tips for troubleshooting the problems that are associated with these methods. Again, if they are not of use to you, I am sorry, but we most certainly did not "cut and paste" the info from anybody else--you can be sure this is 100% original testing and reporting.
Mavroxur
Just lay off as she said, she was just testing out all the options to see how they work out, and adding a bit of helpful info. And anyway I have not seen an article like this before anyway.
Just a note on the 360 Ethernet port: It is an auto-detect ethernet port that will switch between straight through and crossover mode depending on the device it is connected to and the type of cable, therefore a cross-over cable is not required.
To test this theory, take the ethernet cable supplied with the 360 (or any ethernet cable) and connect it between the XBOX360 and a router and check connectivity (it passes). Then take the same cable and connect it to an ethernet port on a laptop/desktop, it will work as well.
Just a note on the 360's ethernet adapter: It is a auto-detect port that can switch between cross-over and straight through mode depending on the device it is connected to and the cable used, therefore a cross-over cable is not required.
To test this: Take a ethernet cable and connect it between the 360 and a router, then check connectivity (it will work). Then take the same cable and connect it between a laptop/desktop and the 360, it will also work.
Sorry about the double post, but also another point:
In most routers, adding an entry to the DMZ does not disable the routers firewall for all other clients on the network, only for the IP addresses specified in the DMZ list. Therefore, adding your Xbox 360 to the DMZ will not disable protection for the other computers on your neetwork, and since no malware/virus has been designed to attack the 360 (yet), it's usually not necessary to undo the DMZ option after your done gaming.
And anyway I have not seen an article like this before anyway.
There are other tech sites besides Tom's on the internet. Just a heads up.
In most routers, adding an entry to the DMZ does not disable the routers firewall for all other clients on the network, only for the IP addresses specified in the DMZ list.
Ah, so that's what every router's instruction manual on the planet is talking about when they explain how a DMZ works.
anyone think this would work when hooking up my samsung blu ray player with wifi too? instead or running the cable across the floor lol
Wow Mavroxur, did your mom like hate you when you were young? Maybe drop you on your head once or twice? Such angst.
i have my 360 connected through ICS on windows XP. was a pain in the arse to get working but did save the $100
WTF PimpTarts... I think you work for Microsoft.
I haven't seen these particular Mac suggestions anywhere before. Every site I've seen says to connect a Mac to 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1 as the gateway. And it never works. This article says to connect a Mac to 192.168.2.1 - which I'm going to try first chance I get.
I couple months back when I got a 360, I bought an extra ethernet card for my PC so I could use network sharing for both wired and wireless connections.
Works great and is incredibly convenient if your 360 is close to your PC. It's also ballin if you're stuck behind a network that needs software to sign into like a college dorm connection.