Hook up internet to your gaming system through wireless internet and a laptop

Quick how-to guide to obtaining an internet connection through a laptop that uses a wireless connection.

First off you will need the following tools.

1 Crossover cable (or tools to make one from regular Ethernet cable)
Game system with online capabilities.
Laptop/Computer with wireless network connection
Windows XP/Vista (may work on other operating systems, but I have not tried)

NOTE: I will be writing this assuming Vista is being used. If you need help with XP, feel free to email/post questions.


Step 1
Get an active wireless internet connection. Make sure you can surf the web before proceeding.

Step 2
Make sure your Xbox 360 is turned off or you will have to restart it later.
Connect the Crossover from your laptop to your Xbox 360.

Step 3
On the Laptop open up your network connections. (A quick way to get there is Hold down the Windows Key and press R. When the run box comes up type in "ncpa.cpl")

Step 4
Enable sharing on your wireless network connection.

Right Click on the Wireless network connection.

Click Properties.

Click the Sharing Tab.

Check the top box associated with "Allow other users to connect through the computer's internet connection.
(see image to the right)

Leave the bottom check box unchecked.

Click OK to exit this window.

Click Close to exit this window.

After closing the window, you might have to wait a minute before it start responding again.

Step 5

Set the IP Address for the local area connection.

To pass the IP Address test on xbox live (or ps2's dnas check) you have to set the IP Address of the connection to be unique.

Open up Network connections again.

Right click on the Local Area Connection (which should not connected since the Xbox 360 is not on).

Click Properties. A new window will open (see image to the left)

Highlight the item "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/iPv4)

Click Properties

A new window will open. (see image to the right)

Click the Radio button associated with "Use the following IP Address"

IP Address: 192.168.0.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Leave the rest blank.

Click OK to close the window.

Click Close to close the window.


Step 6

Turn on your Xbox 360, connect to Xbox live, and play. You should be all set.


NOTES:

If you are having trouble connecting. Run the Xbox Live Test Connections wizard.

If the IP Address fails, restart both your laptop and Xbox 360, and try again. (make sure your laptop is up and running before you turn on your Xbox 360 again).

If the DNS fails, then you most likely you have a router that has an IP Address of 192.168.0.1xx
If this is the case, look in your router manual to see how to change your routers IP Address to something like 192.168.0.2

All else fails, buy the 100 dollar wireless adapter for your Xbox 360.

Enjoy.