Getting your Xbox online with a USB modem

In order to configure an Xbox and successfully connect to Xbox Live, a working and stable broadband connection is required. If you have not set up a broadband connection before attempting these steps or you are having problems with your broadband connection other than connecting to Xbox Live, please resolve these issues first.

A subscription to Xbox Live is also required. Consult your Xbox documentation for details.

Physical connections

In order to successfully connect to Xbox Live with a USB modem, the USB modem must be connected to a computer via a USB cable and the computer must be connected to the Xbox using a network crossover cable (sometimes referred to as a system link cable).

The ethernet cable supplied with Xbox packs is not suitable for this setup and a crossover cable will need to be obtained from your local PC retail outlet.

The crossover cable will need to be connected to the network socket on the back of the Xbox and to the network socket on the back of your computer. If your computer does not have a network adapter, contact your local PC retail outlet about getting one installed.


Turn off existing Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

1. Click Start, Control Panel and Switch to Classic View if it is present.
2. Double-click Network Connections, right-click the first network connection and click Properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab and ensure that Allow Other Network Users To Connect Through This Computer's Internet Connection is unticked.
4. Click OK.

Repeat steps 2-4 for all the network connections present.


Set up a DUN connection for the Xbox

1. Click Start, Control Panel and Switch to Classic View if it is present.
2. Double-click Network Connections, click Create a Network Connection on the left of the screen, then click Next.
3. Select Connect to the Internet and click Next.
4. Select Set Up My Connection Manually and click Next.
5. Select Connect Using a Broadband Connection That Requires A User Name And Password and click Next.
6. Type a name for this connection and click Next. Something recognisable, such as 'Xbox' is recommended.
7. Enter your AOL screen name (including '@aol.com') and password into the boxes and ensure that the options beneath the boxes are unticked. Click Next.
8. Tick Add A Shortcut To This Connection To My Desktop and click Finish.

Important screen name and password information


Share the DUN connection with your network card

1. Click Start, Control Panel and Switch to Classic View if it is present.
2. Double-click Network Connections. Locate the local area connection with Globespan USB Modem (or the name of your broadband modem) written underneath it and note the name of the other local area connection (this will be your network card and the connection that the DUN connection created in the previous step must be shared to).
3. Right-click the Xbox connection and click Properties.
4. Click the Advanced tab.
5. Tick Allow Other Network Users To Connect Through This Computer's Internet Connection and select the local area connection noted in the previous steps as the home networking connection to be shared to.
6. Click OK.
7. Double-click the Xbox connection and click Connect.


Connect to Xbox Live

From the Xbox Dashboard, select Xbox Live, or play a game on your Xbox Live Starter Kit disc and choose the option for Xbox Live play.

If the steps performed on your console fail, further support is provided by the manufacturer.