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How to Set Up XBox Live to a Windows XP Laptop

Windows operating systems, such as XP, have a built-in feature called bridging that allows the computer to share network connections with other devices or computers. Bridging connections can also be utilized to connect an Xbox 360 to Xbox LIVE, an online multiplayer gaming service offered by Microsoft. The setup is useful for players attempting to connect to the service wirelessly because it saves the cost of purchasing a pricey wireless adapter.

Things You'll Need

Ethernet cable
Wireless Internet connection

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the Xbox 360, and connect it to your Windows XP laptop using an Ethernet cable.
- 2
  Turn on the Xbox 360 and the laptop if necessary. Notice that a notification appears in the laptop&'s task bar informing the user that the computer recognizes a local area network, or LAN, connection with the Xbox 360.
- 3
  Right-click the LAN icon in the task bar, and then select "Network Connections" from the menu that appears.
- 4
  Hold the control key and click once on both the LAN icon and the laptop&'s wireless Internet connection icon. Notice that holding the control key allowed you to highlight both icons. Release the control key after you have selected both icons.
- 5
  Right-click one of the highlighted icons, and then choose "Bridge Connections." A status bar will pop up in the middle of the screen informing you that the laptop is bridging connections. When the process completes, the Xbox 360 can share the laptop&'s wireless Internet connection.

Xbox 360