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You don’t have to spend a hundred bucks for the Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter. You can hook up an Ethernet cable (You need a CROSSOVER cable, not a PATCH cable) between your laptop computer and the Xbox 360 and ’share’ the internet connection. Read on for instructions!

My laptop computer (with Vista) has a wireless connection with our home network (which made this possible). You simply need to change a couple of settings. I followed the instructions below (that I found here) and now my Xbox Live is up and running without spending any extra money. If you need instructions for connecting up Windows XP or other operating systems, click here. If you need help or have any questions you can check out this website: http://www.instructables.com/id/Use-your-laptop-as-an-XboxXbox-360-wireless-adap/

Below are instructions that worked for Vista:

Here’s how I got XBOX LIVE to work for Vista:

1) Connect to your wireless network.
2) Plug an ethernet cable from computer to 360.
3) Open up Network Connections (Start->Run->ncpa.cpl).
4) Right click your Local Area Connection.
5) Select the Sharing tab.
6) Make sure “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection” box is UNCHECKED.
7) Hit OK.
Select both your Local Area Connection and your Wireless Network Connection.
9) Right click either of them and select Bridge Connections (If you get an error saying you must have at least 2 LAN or high speed internet connections that are not being used by internet connection sharing then repeat steps 4-7 with your Wireless Network Connection also, then try step 8 and 9 again).
10) Just to be safe go to your 360, from the dashboard select the system blade.
11) Select network settings, then edit setting.
12) Under the basic settings tab, select the block that says IP Settings, IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Gateway. Press A.
13) Choose Automatic and press A again.
14) Now press B, and press Test Xbox LIVE Connection. Hopefully it worked and you can now play Xbox LIVE.

PS -> Like I said Media Connection will probably NOT WORK as it doesn’t for me. I have vista home but this should work on any other vista os. If this isn’t working for you then you might have skipped a step or have some other problem I don’t know about. You can look here for more information on it: http://www.instructables.com/id/Use-your-laptop-as-an-XboxXbox-360-wireless-adap/ It will help to read the comments at the bottom of the above page if you are having trouble.

**make sure you have a Crossover Ethernet cable if it is not working. I have heard that this makes a difference. Most cables have it labeled on them what they are. Then try these steps:

1. Just right click on your wireless connection (computer or laptop).
2. Click on Properties.
3 Go to advanced tab or wireless tab (xp or vista) and check “Allow other network users to connect through this computers internet connection