XBox Live FAQ & General Information
This FAQ is to designed to aid those poeple who have difficulty connecting to XBox Live. Whilst I may initially answer most of the questions asked on these forums, it is inevitable a couple will escape my grasp. So please do not hesitate to ask me a different question in this thread. I will then add it to the list.
Equipment Details
Ethernet cables
Ethernet cables are very similar to phone sockets (those little clear plastic blocks that you plug into the broadband modem from your phone line). Have a look at the diagram below for a better idea of what I am discussing.
The phone plug has a special ID code: RJ45. This defines the connection type. An ethernet plug has a similar code: RJ11.
You can clearly see the difference. An ethernet plug is considerably larger, longer and has 8 gold connectors compared to the 4 of the phone plug.
There are 2 types of ethernet cables:
Ethernet patch cable: a straight through connection which allows a computer or other device to join a network. This means you can share an internet connection. However, you cannot share information between two computers with this type of cable. This cable is used to connect the XBox directly to Live via an ADSL router.
Crossover ethernet cable: very similar to an ethernet patch cable. The difference is in the wiring only. This cable allows a computer to join and interact with a network. You can therefore transfer data between computers, as well sharing an internet connection. This cable is required for Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and for the Windows Media Centre Extension offered by the XBox 360.
Ethernet patch cables have many names: CAT 5e UTP patch cable, CAT 5 UTP patch cable, CAT 6 UTP patch cable and so on. They are the same thing and are backwards compatible.
ADSL router
An ADSL modem allows you to connect to your broadband service via a USB connection. A router allows 3+ computers to communicate with each other. All the computers are connected to the router via an ethernet connection.
If you combine an ADSL modem with a router, you get an ADSL. It allows 3+ computers to share an internet connection at the same time.
Wireless ADSL router
A wireless ADSL router is very similar to the above mention apparatus. However, it also incorporates a wireless access point. So you can connect your computer wirelessly to the router instead of using the very bulky, ugly looking ethernet cable. Each computer you want to connect to the router must have a wireless adaptor.
This equipment costs a fair bit. It will set you back about £60 for the wireless router alone. You are then looking at £20 for each wireless adaptor for each computer (although you can connect it by ethernet).
This option is viable only if your XBox is located on the other side of the house.
NOTE: concrete walls decrease the efficiency of the wireless network. Other sources of radio waves also create this problem.
Wireless Connections
1.
Can I connect my XBox to a wirless notebook, which is connected to a wireless network?
Yes you can. However, there are a couple of things to note:
- You must connect the Xbox to the laptop via a crossover ethernet cable, not a patch cable
- You must have successfully connected your laptop to the wireless network in order for this setup to work. Please consult the manufacturer's documentation to setup the network successfully
- You must enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on your laptop
2.
My wirless network cannot detect the XBox 360. How do I solve this problem?
- Please note that concrete walls and other sources of radio waves may interefere with your wireless network. Either minimise the number of concrete walls between the Xbox and the wireless router, or relocate other sources of radio waves (i.e. cordless phones) that may interfere with the network
- Ensure the XBox 360 wirless adaptor is correctly plugged into one of the available USB ports on the console
- Ensure your wirless router is correctly installed on the computer, that all wires are correctly plugged in, and that the router has power
3.
The XBox 360 wireless adaptor has a red light. What does this mean?
A red light on the wireless adaptor means that it is correctly plugged into the console, but not yet connected to a wireless network. Go to
Connecting to XBox Live: Wireless Connection guide to setup a wireless connection.
4.
When I play games online, I sometimes get lag. How do I fix this?
It is possible that this has nothing to do with your connection setup. Rather, it has to do with the servers for the game.
Another cause is due to other sources of radio waves or concrete walls, which decreases the strength of the wireless network. Either relocate other sources of radio waves (e.g. cordless phones) or minimise the number of concrete walls between the Xbox 360 and the wirless router.
5.
I have installed the XBox onto my wirless connection, but yet I cannot connect to Live. Why?
Even though you have alocated the Xbox to your wireless network, you must alter the settings on the XBox 360. The SSID and the encryption type of the network must be correctly entered onto the Xbox 360 dashboard settings. Go to the
Connecting to XBox Live: Wireless Connection guide for instructions on how to alter the settings on the XBox 360.
Direct Connections
1.
I have difficulty seeing other Live players/chatting to other Live players. Why and how do I fix this?
Your NAT settings may be set to strict. NAT settings determines how much security must be imposed on connected hardware and computers. To alter the NAT settings, go to the
Connecting to XBox Live: NAT/DMZ guide.
These problems may also be beyond your control. There may be a problem with the servers. It is also well known that if other online players have a connection problem, and they are in your current session, their problem also affects you.
2.
When I try to connect to XBox Live, I get an error message saying "IP address failed". Whay, and how do I solve this problem?
If two devices on your network has the same IP address (a series of 4 numbers separated by periods - it acts as the id for the device on the internet), those devices cannot connect at the same time. It's like signing up to Yahoo!. If you're chosen username is taken, you can't sign up, so you have to choose a different one. There is a way to get around this. Please go to the
Connecting to XBox Live: Port Forwarding guide to setup a static IP address.
3.
I keep getting echoes through the XBox Live headset.
The volume on your TV is setup too high. Reduce the volume on your TV.
Problems will persist if other Live players in your current session have the volume on their TV set too high.
4.
I keep getting lag.
The NAT settings on your router is set to Strict. Go to the
Connecting to XBox Live: NAT/DMZ guide.
Internet Connection Sharing
1.
I have altered the required settings correctly, yet I cannot connect to XBox Live.
- Always double check that everything has been correctly setup. Please go to the Connecting to XBox Live: Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) guide
- Please ensure that you have connected the XBox to the PC via a crossover ethernet cable, not the normal patch ethernet cable
- You must also alter the settings on the XBox 360. Again, consult the aforementioned guide for details.
XBox Live FAQ
Linear Mode
