Use your laptop as an Xbox/Xbox 360 "Wireless Adapter" on Windows XP/Vista, and Mac OSX

I hate how the Xbox 360's wireless adapter costs $100, so I looked online on how to use any adapter as one. I couldn't find an article on that, but found that you can use your laptop as a gateway, but many articles didn't work, the way they said to do it. I looked on Instructables to see if there were any how-to's about it, and there were none, so here is my second Instructable.
Things you need
Laptop
CROSSOVER Ethernet cable (You can't use the one included with the xbox. But chances are that you have one lying around. Most will be labeled saying crossover. Thanks to sk8erek who reminded me to edit this.
Xbox

I Edited this to show how to do it with Vista and Mac, so this will work for all 3. The one done by me is for Windows XP. Step 4 is Windows Vista. Step 5 is Mac OSX, both Leopard and Tiger

P.S.- This is new information. I just edited this on January 3, 2008. If you do this, you won't be able to connect to the internet through your Ethernet port anymore. Only providing internet will be possible. If you want to know how to fix this, scroll down to my comment about it.

EDIT: A fix for the above problem was posted in a comment by timheppner. I have not tried this myself, but he says it will work, so try it out.
"EDIT 2:" A guy named bsblade told me that my instructions on doing this on a mac were wrong, so I updated it according to his instuctable. To see changes, check out step 5

Step 1: Connect Your Ethernet Cable to Your Computer and Xbox

I know this doesn't sound like it should be the first step, but do it anyways. Trust me, It will work out in the end.

Step 2: Change Your Internet Properties

We have to change the internet properties so that your computer will share wireless internet with the Ethernet adapter. See pictures. They are in order as they should. They also have notes. After doing what all the pictures say, hit ok.

Step 3: Repair the Ethernet Connection

This is simple. Right click the Ethernet Cable icon in the task bar, and hit "Repair"
Pictures say it all.
Right click the non blurred icon. Then hit repair. It shouldn't have a red X though.

Step 4: On Vista

1. Go to start
2. Run
3. Type in ncpa.cpl
4. Hit OK

Thanks for the help idogis1

Step 5: For Mac Users

step 1
What you'll need
You don't really need much to do this. All you need is: A Mac (this guide is for 10.4 but im sure it would be very similar on 10.5) And XBOX 360 (duh) A wireless ne&

step 2
To begin
1. Open up system preferences and go to Network. 2. Make sure location is set to "Automatic" and show is set to "Built-in Ethernet." 3. Now where is says "Configure IPv4,&

step 3
Now
Your router should have an IP Address, and it is usually 192.168.1.1, check on the bottom of the router to make sure. There should also be a username and password down the&

step 4
Back to System Preferences
1. Go back to System Preferences now and click on "Sharing." 2. Click on the "Internet" tab. 3. Make sure that on the drop down menu Airport is selected. 4. Click on the&

step 5
Now on your XBOX
1. Go to the "System" blade on your dashboard. 2. Go down to "Network Settings." 3. Now select "Edit Settings." 4. Select your IP settings and choose "Manual." 5. Now e&

step 6
Congratulations
Congrats. You are now connected to XBOX Live without having to have bought one of those ridiculously expensive wireless adapters. Have Fun!

Thanks to bsblade for his instructable. To see the whole instuctable, go to http://www.instructables.com/id/Use-your-Mac-OSX-as-a-Wirelss-Adapter-for-you-XBOX/

Comments

[thewalrusoflove]

If your xbox says it cannot connect to the internet, but it can to the local network, try turning your firewall off, it worked for me...

[nepali_beast]

How do you do this on windows 8

[karenna]

Thanks for the wonderful share. But as I followed the guide, it doesn't seem to work on my Dell laptop. Errors kept coming up. I couldn’t solve the problem until I tried Virtual Hotspot, a new WiFi sharing app but works quite well. Few comlex settles and quite effective. So…look forware to more fantastic sharing.

[daveazar]

Has anyone who's tried this had there xbox die? I went through a few while connecting to xbox live this way.

[blogan5]

how do i connect my x-box from my bedroom witch is 75 feet from my bedroom how do i do this thank,s

[mancer67]

you can get a big enough enthernet cord and run it becide the wall

[charlesxxx04]

I have a Dell XPS M1530 laptop and all I had to do was go into network connections, highlight both and click bridge connections and it works just fine.
I am running Vista

[xboxlive12]

i have a LG computer what steps do i have to do?

[jhohendorf]

How do you connect a xbox 360 to a Windows 7 laptop?

[mjohnston10]

ok my problem is i dont have a sharing tab so what am i supposed to do now im running on windows 7 on a dell mini help plz

[robijussin]

when you are in the "network and internet" window of your control panel, there should be a category labeled "network and sharing center." click on that, then to the left there should be an option, "change adapter settings." In there you want to bridge your wireless and local area connections. This should allow you to access xbox live. Did for me at least.

[Kings_Fool]

Thaaanks. That worked for me very well.

[moosterboi]

i have, but when i do the xbox connection test it passes the network one and just dsnt connect to the next one dunno

[moosterboi]

Hey guys, i did all those steps and everything but my xbox is able to pass the first part how u test the connection thing like it passes the network part then wen it says internet and xbox live it just cant connect, plz help

[shaft9610]

for the first step am i connecting my xbox with my computer or my laptop?

[tayman]

i need help

[mjohnston10]

im totally confused on ur directions

[Toddimyre]

You can use the one that comes with the Xbox 360. I've done it. You can also use this method to connect to Xbox Live via dial-up. ;-) I've done that as well.

To use the existing cable with XP:
1. Click START > SETTINGS > NETWORK SETTINGS.
2. Click SET UP A HOME OR SMALL OFFICE NETWORK.
3. Make sure all necessary adapters and/or cables are attached.
4. Click NEXT twice. If something isn't connected, you'll get a CONNECTIONS screen. You can click IGNORE DISCONNECTED NETWORK HARDWARE for the time being and then click NEXT to continue.
5. Click THIS COMPUTER CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO THE INTERNET... and click NEXT.
6. Click your INTERNET CONNECTION and click NEXT.
7. Click your PRIVATE CONNECTION and click NEXT.
8. Click NEXT 4 more times. Note, that you may edit pieces before the final click of NEXT, but this comment isn't in response to those details. Also, this part may take a moment to finalize.
9. Once that is finished, REBOOT your system. You MUST do this step or it will not work.
10. Once your system reboots, wait for it to connect to the internet. Make sure your Xbox 360 is connected to your computer BEFORE you turn the system on.
11. If everything went smoothly, you will connect to Xbox Live whenever you load a Xbox Live profile.

A few notes:
1. If you get kicked offline due to internet issues, you have to renew the connection to your PC to connect back to Xbox Live.
2. If your computer enters HIBERNATION and/or SLEEP mode, the connection will sever.
3. If your computer is REBOOTED and/or SHUTDOWN, the connection will sever.
4. Your computer must ALWAYS be online first.
5. If your console won't connect, you must manually set your DNS and IP ADDRESS settings on your WIRED CONNECTION. Do NOT use your DNS ADDRESS for your router, or it will prevent connection to the internet at some point. I typically use 192.168.0.1 for my internet's DNS ADDRESS and 10.0.0.1 for my Xbox 360's DNS ADDRESS. The IP ADDRESS shouldn't have to be modified.
6. Your FIREWALL can either be on or off. It does not matter. This has been tested with WINDOWS FIREWALL, PC TOOLS FIREWALL, and COMMODO FIREWALL.

PS: Not trying to steal your thunder. Just trying to offer some extra tips, as I have done this before.

[nik170]

I do the 5 steps (vista) and my console fails on the IP Address fails Could anyone PLEASE help me???

['carey]

im having the exact same problem!!

[cstill]

This worked for my bluray player!
Thanksss!!!

[rwillie]

GUYS THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH IT REALLY WORKS THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Micah667]

ok it repaird an everything but it still wont connect to network..

[Micah667]

after following the steps it wont even let me connect to the network

[Micah667]

xbox says it cant obtain IP address

[razmo123]

thanx walamoonbeam now i can go on my xbox live but i used the xbox internet lead and it works just fine for windows seven

[Jalopy Sniper]

Man, that first picture brought back memories. That is the OG Xbox Dashboard right there.

[ETXElectronix]

@macauleyw34 : On WIndows Vista or Windows Se7en, go to your Control Panel>Category View>Network and Internet>Manage Internet Connections (or Manage Wireless Networks)>Adapter Properties>"Sharing" tab

[blewis8]

Thank you!

[woodmass14]

i only know how to do this on windows 7 and vista plug usb from laptop into xbox/ps3 Make sure Xbox/ps3 settings are for ethernet only :D

go to start and type in "view network connections" click on it

After that you should have local area connection and wireless network connection
Highlight them both and right click one of them and there will be something called bridge connections click on it "make sure everything is enabled in network connections"
and then try the network setup on both ps3/xbox :DDDDDD

[nickhines910]

thank youuu

[iHurandDur]

What if i dont have a Wireless Adaptor, cause my Adaptor Box has a Ethernet-Net cord in it to the PC

[phantomjunkie]

Following this instructable gave me the following message on the XBox360 when I tried to test the connection to XBox Live:

"Your network does not have a sufficient MTU setting. Xbox LIVE requires a minimum MTU setting of 1364."

I looked it up and found out that I need to open some ports. So after checking the two boxes on the "Sharing" tab of Vista/7, I clicked on the "Settings" button and checked/added the following ports:

Port 88 (UDP)
Port 3074 (UDP and TCP)
Port 53 (UDP and TCP)
Port 80 (TCP)

For the ports that list both UDP and TCP, I added the port twice, making sure one was for TCP and one was for UDP (adding UDP to the end of that port name to differentiate between the two). Port 80 was covered under "Web Server (HTTP)" so I didn't have to add that one individually.

After making sure these ports were added and checked, I was able to connect to XBox Live with no problems.

[Tech2431]

Hi!

Um where it says above the 2 edits, about fixing the internet from not being able to use it anymore, which then goes onto say see walmoonbeems comment about it; could someone leave me a link or page number or inbox me please.

Greatly appreciated.

[jpizzati]

i did all the steps in vista also the STINA instructions but right when i connect my ethetnet cable to the laptop the local area connection icon disappears from my desktop, then i try my xbox connection and it doesnt work HELP!!!PLEASE!!!

[A113N83]

if i have the thing clear and go i think its dial up but u put it in the usb port how can i get my xbox live connected to it i mean will it still work if i use the clear and go or do i have to use wireless

[scosentino21]

Make sure your turning the sharing on with the network that is connected to the internet. I.E. the wireless not the local area.

[cbrunschwyler]

It won't let me connect with the shared network. When I try to bridge connections it says, "To create a Network Bridge, you must select at least two LAN or High-Speed Internet connections that are not being used by Internet Connection Sharing."

[devilinops]

ctrl click wireless network control click local make sure both are selected then bridge

[cbrunschwyler]

Yes, but if I allow network sharing, it will not let me create the bridge if I have the LAN and wireless both selected. My friend figured it out for me- you do not actually have to BRIDGE the connection as long as the 360 thinks your computer is a router and vice versa, so the LAN connection works.