How to Use a Laptop As a Wireless Router for Xbox 360

Bridging With Windows XP Laptop

• 1

  Insert one end of an Ethernet cable into your Xbox 360 console's Ethernet port, situated on the rear of the console next to the audio-video jacks.

• 2

  Insert the other end of the Ethernet cable into an Ethernet port on your wireless Windows XP laptop.

• 3

  Turn both devices on then locate a network connection icon in the taskbar on your PC. The icon will resemble either two computers or one computer with wireless lines emanating from it.

• 4

  Right-click one of the network connection icons, then click "Network Connections" to open a new window.

• 5

  Select both the LAN connection and the wireless Internet connection by holding down the "CTRL" key and clicking once on each icon.

• 6

  Right-click on one of the select icons, then click "Bridge Connections." Your Windows XP laptop will bridge the connections, allowing your Xbox 360 to share your computer's wireless Internet connection, effectively turning your laptop into an adapter.

Bridging With Windows Vista Laptop

• 7

  Insert one end of an Ethernet cable into your Xbox 360 console's Ethernet port, situated on the rear of the console next to the audio-video jacks.

• 8

  Insert the other end of the Ethernet cable into an Ethernet port on your wireless Windows Vista laptop.

• 9

  Turn both devices on then locate a network connection icon in the taskbar on your PC. The icon will resemble either two computers or one computer with wireless lines emanating from it.

• 10

  Right-click either network connection icon in the taskbar, then select "Network and Sharing Center" from the drop-down list.

• 11

  Open "Manage network connections" from the resulting window. You will then be able to view and edit your network connections, including the link between your Xbox 360 and PC.

• 12

  Select both the LAN connection and the wireless Internet connection by holding down the "CTRL" key and clicking once on each icon.

• 13

  Right-click on one of the select icons, then click "Bridge Connections." Your Windows Vista laptop will bridge the connections, allowing your Xbox 360 to share your computer's wireless Internet signal, effectively turning your laptop into an adapter.

Bridging With Windows 7 Laptop

• 14

  Insert one end of an Ethernet cable into your XBox 360 console's Ethernet port, situated on the rear of the console next to the audio video jacks.

• 15

  Insert the other end of the Ethernet cable into an Ethernet port on your wireless Windows 7 laptop.

• 16

  Turn both devices on then locate a network connection icon in the taskbar on your PC. The icon will resemble either two computers or one computer with wireless lines emanating from it.

• 17

  Right-click either "Network Connections" icon in the taskbar, then click on "Network and Sharing Center" from the drop-down list.

• 18

  Open "View network connections" from the resulting window. You will then be able to view and edit your network connections, including the link between your Xbox 360 and PC.

• 19

  Select both the LAN connection and the wireless Internet connection by holding down the "CTRL" key and clicking once on each icon.

• 20

  Right-click on one of the select icons, then click "Bridge Connections." Your Windows 7 laptop will bridge the connections, allowing your Xbox 360 to share your computer's wireless Internet connection. This effectively turns your laptop into an adapter.

Internet Connection Sharing for Windows XP and Above

• 21

  Power your Xbox 360 networking adapter by plugging its USB cable into the console. Latch the adapter to the rear of the console by snapping its two prongs into the holes above the AV ports.

• 22

  Turn on your Xbox 360 and go to the dashboard's "System Settings."

• 23

  Highlight and choose "Network Settings." Choose "Configure Network."

• 24

  Highlight and choose "Wireless Mode," then turn on your Windows-based laptop.

• 25

  Open your network connections. For Windows 7 and Vista, type "ncpa.cpl" into the search box and execute the search. For Windows XP, open the "Run" window, then type "ncpa.cpl" into the search box. Click "OK."

• 26

  Right-click the network icon that represents the Internet connection you wish to share with your Xbox 360 wirelessly. Choose "Properties."

• 27

  Locate the "Internet Connection Sharing" portion of the properties window. For Vista and 7, select the "Sharing" tab. In XP, select the "Advanced" tab.

• 28

  Place a check next to the box that allows other devices to access the laptop's Internet connection, then click "OK" to save the settings.

• 29

  Create an ad hoc network on your laptop. For Windows XP, go back to the "Network Connections" menu, then right-click your wireless Internet connection icon and choose "Properties." Choose the "Wireless Networks" tab and click "Add." A new window appears. Type in the network's name, add a password if desired, then place a check in the box next to "ad hoc" and click "OK" twice.

  For Windows Vista, open the "Start" menu, then choose "Connect to." A new window will appear. Select "Set up a network," then "Set up an ad hoc." An ad hoc setup wizard will appear where you must follow the prompts, which allow you to create a network name and password.

  For Windows 7, Right-click the wireless network icon in the taskbar, then choose "Network and Sharing Center." A new window will appear. Choose "Set up a network then "Set up an ad hoc." An ad hoc setup wizard will appear where you must follow the prompts, which allow you to create a network name and password.

• 30

  Choose "Scan for Networks" on your Xbox 360 to scan the area for the ad hoc network you configured on your laptop.

• 31

  Select your laptop's ad hoc network from the resulting list; enter the password if prompted. Your Xbox 360 will then be wirelessly connected to your laptop, which is acting as a router as it shares its Internet connection through the ad hoc network.