What do I need to go wireless and XBox Live Please

stressedoutmum

My son wants to go on XBox live but we are not wireless at home. I am with Virgin Internet - Ive heard various stories -that I need to get in touch with Virgin and buy a box and get Virgin to install it and then spend about £100 on the parts needed to add to the XBox. Its very confusing can someone explain it clearly please and is it easy to do by myself because I'm not good at techi things? thanks.

donnajunkie

you only need to go wireless if your tv and console are too far away from your modem to connect with an ethernet cable.
i dont know about going wireless if that is what you really need or want to do but there are plenty of people here who know about it and will no doubt post here.

crampo_2

There are two ways you can connect your Xbox to play Xbox Live:

Now i am asuming here that you have a router/modem from virgin media or another kind.

On the back of this that are ports called "Ethernet" ports or "RJ45". as standard the xbox has this connection built in. If the xbox is within a short distance of the router/modem then you will be better of using the supplied ethernet cable.
Everything should normally connect automatically

If on the other hand (for instance) he has the xbox in his room and your router/modem is downstairs then yes you will need a wireless adaptor for the xbox itself. You can pick these up from around £40 at your local games shop (although recommend looking online www.ebuyer.com , www.play.com , www.amazon.co.uk).

Not knowing what Router/modem you have, i can't tell you if it has wireless built in , if you could find that out. then we can help you out a little more.

davb

You can also buy pre-made ethernet cables up to about 40 metres in length for a few pounds. The cable would be the cheapest and most stable option, but depends if you can route the cable easily or not.
Remember also, that wireless does not travel too well through more than a couple of walls, not too bad in a modern house, but if you have an older house with solid internal walls, you could have problems.

donnajunkie

crampo wrote: »

Not knowing what Router/modem you have, i can't tell you if it has wireless built in , if you could find that out. then we can help you out a little more.

as i have virgin i can tell you the modems do not have wireless built in. it just has the 3 connections. one for power, one for the net coming in and one for the ethernet cable.

stressedoutmum

As confirmed by Donnajunkie the Virgin modem doesnt have ethernet built in. The xbox is upstairs in my son's room. So I need a wireless router for the xbox - what else would I need please and is it easy to set up. thanks.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Virgin do offer a wireless router. You could always phone them up and ask how much. It may work out cheaper than buying it yourself.

You'll also need a wireless adapter that plugs into the back of the Xbox. Unfortunately it's not cheap, but it is easy to set up.

To play on-line you'll need an Xbox Live Gold Subscription at around £30 per year. When your son's account is set up for the first time though, he will get 1 months Live free.

crampo_2

You will Need a Wireless Cable Modem and a Xbox 360 Wireless Adaptor.
Depending on how much you want to spend really.

This one is good(but sure someone else will come up with something else)
Wireless Modem/Router (Cable) - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/103185
Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adaptor - http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/719752/Official-Xbox-360-Wireless-Network-Adapter/Product.html

Setting it all up is pretty simple. the manuals that are provided will show you setting up the wireless side of the modem/router and the manual that should be provided with the xbox network adaptor will show you how to set it up on that side of it. if you need the manual its here http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/c/e/bce76f3f-db51-4c98-b79d-b3d21e90ccc1/WirelessNetworkingAdapter_NA_0601.pdf

Just_learning_3

In agreement with the Phanton Flan Flinger, if you ring up Virgin and explain that you wish to upgrade your existing modem to a wireless one, you may find that they will send one out to you. They will probably ask you if you have been with them for a year or more... This is where it gets tricky... If you have been with them over a year then thats fine as they will probably upgrade your Package and it may even work out cheaper or at least the same as your existing one, so long as you sign up to a new contract, usually for a Year (you keep all emails, usernames etc the same in the switch). However, if you have not had your contract for a year, just hang on a while until you have, then all Hardware should come free.

Hope this helps.

Just_learning_3

I have heard from a friend that the new Xbox coming out early next year will have Wireless Capabilities. Cant seem to find out anything to confirm this but i am sure someone may have more info!

crampo_2

Just_learning wrote: »

I have heard from a friend that the new Xbox coming out early next year will have Wireless Capabilities. Cant seem to find out anything to confirm this but i am sure someone may have more info!

I havent seen or heard anything about this. ask your friend for the source he heard it from. If they did it only took them 4 years to do it, they will start going the route of playstation and why it is so popular. built it wireless, HD Output, blu-ray all as standard.