In need of XBox live(R) help

[ZiP]

Hey,
I'm thinking about getting XBox live(R) for my B-day,
I'm not sure how to hook it up

here's some info, if y'all could help me it would be greatly appreciated.

1. My Pc is about 10 feet away (from my XBox), so plugging stuff into it from my XBox is out of the question

2. I have phone jack by my TV/xbox, could I use that in any way

3. I have cable (modem, not wireless)

Thanks loads,
ZiP

[Yojimbo]

I don't have an Xbox but I could answer this much.

1. A PC has nothing to do with Live's features. There are ways to connect a PC and an Xbox but they have nothing to do with playing on Live, aren't exactly easy to do, or neccesary for someone just trying to play Live.

2. If you have cable it's a clear choice.

3. You have two choices here disconnect the computer from the modem and plug in the Xbox instead or get a router for $50 and be able to connect both at the same time.

[ZiP]

aight thaks man, I'll ask dad if a router's a possibility, or maybe a second modem.
Either way it's gonna be costly.

[Sephiroth]

You can plug the modem you have straight into the x-box ethernet port(you just can't use both the PC's internet and live at the same time without getting a router), you just have to reset the modem (swich it off at the mains then straight back on once the light goes out on the port of the modem) i think this is because your x-box either has a specific IP and MAC adresses, or live has to assign it seperately. One of my friends also suggested getting 2 ethernet cards for the PC and creating a network bridge between the 2 cards (Windows XP can do this easily) and allow you to plug the modem into 1 card and the x-box into the other 1, but i've never tried it, i'd say the best bet is the modem or getting a router

[ZiP]

hmm, so I could unplug my modem after i turn it off, plug in the ethernet wire that leads to the xbox live thing, and plug it back in once im done??

[TrigunX89]

Hmm... I think so. If I understand the question...

I had an Xbox in a different room than my router, so I bought a cool little device (a bit pricey) by Nyko, called a Wireless Net Extender. You can find them for about $70. ($100 MSRP) They're designed for this kind of thing. They basically take the place of any ethernet cord. There are 2 bases that communicate with eachother. In this case, 1 would plug into the router, and the other would plug into the back of the Xbox console. If the lights are a constant green, you have a connection! They should work with any 2 devices that have ethernet ports. It worked for me anyway. There may be a better solution for you though, especially if you don't have the $70. You can check out the website at http://www.nyko.com/nyko/products/?i=14

[Sephiroth]

Yeah, thats how i use x-box live at my house, but if my cabe modem is unplugged at the mains for any length of time it takes quite a long time to reset, thats why i recommend it being unplugged for only a second or two