Changing the network my xbox 360 connects to from my MSHOME network, to my windows vista WORKGROUP network?

Question

I've had my 360 connected to live via ethernet to my router which connects it to the 3 windows XP computers in my house under the network MSHOME, which I never did quite learn to share files or anything else with except internet.

Heres the problem, I bought a labtop with windows vista home premium on it which created the new network WORKGROUP I think. I switched on one my windows XP pc's to WORKGROUP from MSHOME and thanks to vista was able to transfer files like my music library between the old computer and my labtop. I opened windows media player 11 (preinstalled) and found out my 360 isnt on my new network, its on my old one apparently which is why windows media connect cant find it im guessing. I use a hard wired method using long Ethernet cables connected to a router in my living room and its worked fine for years. How do i change which network in my house my xbox 360 connects to? windows help didnt say anything about selecting a ~WIRED~ network, only help with wireless ones.

Answer 1

First, change your Workgroup name on all XP machines to the same name. Vista has a new way of sharing files and printers, and it doesn't matter if it has the same network name as the XP machines.

In order to allow sharing on Vista you go into the Network and Sharing folder and configure it there. It is very simple, just enable it, and select the Secure network, which means it is on the Private network. You never have to change or mess with the Workgroup name in Vista.

Instead of messing with the configurations manually, simply run the Network Connections Wizard on all the XP computers, and when you get to the place it asks you to name the Workgroup, give it the name you wish. The reason you should change it from the default, is everyone knows that MSHOME is used, and knowing the Workgroup name in XP is more than half the battle in getting to your files. When you change the Workgroup name to one of your own, which is simple but not easily guessable, you are taking a huge step in protecting your network from intruders.

If you use a Wireless Access Point, and fail to secure it properly, with the Workgroup kept at the default MSHOME, *anyone* can access not only your bandwidth, and connect to the Internet on your account, but access *all* your files on every networked computer.

This is one reason why Microsoft changed this feature in Vista, and uses instead the Network and Sharing folder.

When you run the Network Setup Wizard in XP, you are actually enabling file and printer sharing as well, if you wish, or not, if you wish. You come to a page where you are asked if you wish to turn this on. You can easily turn it off any time you like by running the Wizard again.

As Vista does not need the same Workgroup name as the others, just go to the Network and Sharing applet (folder and program configurations) and enable sharing there.

Once you do these things all of your computer will be able to see, communicate, and share folders, files, and printers.

In XP, when you wish to add a printer for the network, and not use a Print Server, or a wireless printer, simply open Printers and Fax folder in Control Panel, right click on the printer icon, and select Properties. Click on the Sharing tab, and select "Share this on the Network", and then click OK.

On each computer you wish to allow use of this printer, simply go into the Printers and Fax folder, and in the left pane click Add Printer. Just follow the Add Printer Wizard and it will enable sharing of the printer for all machines you allow.

You can set other options there too, but here is some information for you to read on your own, in your own time:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/networking.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx

Good luck and much success in properly setting up your network

Answer 2

it will not work! Just get an ethernet cable that goes into the Xbox 360 and to a router. Paying £100 for a Xbox 360 adapter is crazy, not unless the money is no big deal to you. But a router is much better, get an ethernet cable and a router. You can connect to Xbox Live just like that without paying a lot for the adapter