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How to Tether a 360 to a Laptop With Vista

The Xbox 360 gaming console allows you to play video games, watch DVDs and listen to CDs. The Xbox 360 also has an Ethernet port on the rear of the console for networking purposes that, when connected to a router with high-speed Internet, allows you to play video games with other Xbox 360 owners via Xbox Live. In addition to playing games, you can rent movies, download game trials, view third party content such as ESPN 3 and Netflix, as well as steam movies, music and pictures from computers on your home network. If your router is not located near your Xbox 360 console, you can bridge the Internet connection from your laptop computer running Windows Vista to allow the Xbox 360 to connect to Xbox live and your home network.

Things You'll Need

Wireless router
Wireless network adapter
Ethernet cable

Instructions

- 1
  Connect your laptop to a wireless network with an active Internet connection. To connect to a wireless network, open the "Start" menu and then click "Control Panel." Select "Network and Internet" from the Control Panel and then click "Connect To a Network," located under the "Network and Sharing Center" label. Click the name of the network that you would like to connect to and then click "Connect." Enter the network key if prompted and then click "Next" to connect.
- 2
  Plug an Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the rear of the Xbox 360. Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on your laptop.
- 3
  Return to the Network and Internet window and then click "Network and Sharing Center."
- 4
  Click "Manage Network Connections" from the Network and Sharing Center window.
- 5
  Hold the "Ctrl" button and click on the icon for your Ethernet network adapter and your wireless network adapter.
- 6
  Right-click one of the selected connections and then click "Bridge Connections." Enter the administrator password if prompted to bridge the connections.
- 7
  Turn on the Xbox 360 and attempt to sign onto Xbox Live.

Xbox 360