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How to Connect an Xbox to Windows Vista

If you are looking to get more out of your Xbox 360 video game system, consider networking it with your Windows Vista computer. This can expand the console's uses, allowing you to stream the PC's media to your Xbox's Windows Media Center program. This can be a convenient way of watching Internet TV or your computer's ripped DVD collection on your television rather than your cramped PC monitor.

Things You'll Need

Ethernet cable or router

Instructions

- 1
  Network the console and Vista computer. Hook the console and computer together via Ethernet cable, or connect your console, using the system's Wi-Fi abilities, to the same network as your computer (see Tips).
- 2
  Turn on the console and PC if necessary.
- 3
  Go to the Xbox's "My Xbox" menu, and select "Windows Media Center." A setup wizard loads. This allows you to retrieve your console's unique setup ID number, which you have to enter into your Windows Vista computer.
- 4
  Pass through the Xbox 360's prompts until the console provides an activation code. Record this code, and keep the prompt open.
- 5
  Load Windows Media Center on the Vista PC.
- 6
  Choose "Add Extender" from the "Tasks" section on the PC.
- 7
  Go through the introduction prompts until you reach the activation code entry field.
- 8
  Enter the activation code into the field on your Vista PC's Windows Media Center extender setup.
- 9
  Follow the rest of the extender setup's prompts. Once completed, Windows Media Center automatically starts up on your Xbox 360.

Xbox 360