Xbox 360 and PC Connection

[Jihalizad]

I've read through the other posts related to this and still can't seem to find an answer.

I have a Windows Vista Home Premium computer with an Xbox 360 Elite, both are using wireless connections to a Belkin router.

On the Belkin router, I can see both the Xbox (as "unknown") and the computer (as GREEN-PC [computer name]) also, in Network Places, my computer clearly sees the Xbox360.

I have followed the directions from Microsoft but can't seem to get Windows Media Center or Windows Media Player 11 to connect with my 360.


The error I get when trying to set this up as an extender in Windows Media Center is that it cannot find the Xbox (even though it can clearly see it). Also, when I try to look for a computer from the Xbox side, it cannot see the computer. This is really racking my brain, I'm guessing I need to do some port forwarding through my router but I don't know which ports. I even tried putting the computer and Xbox on the "outside" of the router via settings on the router's web setup page (192.168.2.1 addy)

For additional info (not sure if it'll help) my computer's internal IP addy is 192.168.2.4 and the Xbox's addy is 192.168.2.2. I have every security option imaginable off, from UAC on Vista (because quite honestly it sucks anyways) to the builtin firewall on the Router

EDIT: ALSO, I have another computer on this network that is wired directly to the router, that is a Windows XP computer, there's nothing special about it and my computer doesn't network with it to share files or the local printer attached to it, etc.

[Name:]

Would it be possible to change your IP address from 192.168.2.x to 192.168.0.x?
I'm not sure if that would do anything at all, but I have no trouble between Vista and my Xbox original in this configuration.

Just tryin' to help!

[dohray]

Hi there,

Open up WMP 11 > Library > Media Sharing and put a check in the 'share my media to:' box, select Xbox360 click Allow > Apply > OK

I use the same OS as you and it finds my 360 just fine.

[Jihalizad]

Well, I've already allowed that, I switched the workgroup on my second pc, so now the 360, the xp home pc and the Vista home premium pc are all on the same workgroup and seeing eachother just fine, but when I go to add an extender in Windows Media Center it still tells me that it can't find it.

Xbox shows up EVERYWHERE media sharing, network map, network places...the only place it's not showing up, is right where I want it to (WMP11 or Windows Media Center)

Why is this so...odd... I reset my router settings again, went through enabled uPNP, disabled firewall, etc, still getting nothing though of course.

[Jihalizad]

Originally Posted by Name:

Would it be possible to change your IP address from 192.168.2.x to 192.168.0.x?
I'm not sure if that would do anything at all, but I have no trouble between Vista and my Xbox original in this configuration.

Going to try that, aaand "Extender Not Found" as always. This is with my xbox using 192.168.0.4 router as .1 and computer as .2, I'm still guessing it has to do with forwarding ports though I don't see why that should ever be necessary when it comes to internal connections in regards to the router.

[dohray]

Hi again,

When your 'puter tells you an extender has been found, do you get as far as the screen that asks for the eight digit setup key?

If you get that far, switch to your 360 and on the blades, choose 'Media' > Media Centre and hit the 'A' button.

Probably, you will have the "Your console cant contact your PC...." message.

In this case, hit the 'Y' button to set up a new connection then hit the 'A' button. Hopefully, you will have the eight digit key on your screen. Write this number down and hit the 'A' button again.

Now switch back to your 'puter and enter the eight digit setup key and follow the prompts.

[Jihalizad]

No no, computer never says an extender has been found, I'm going into Windows Media Center to add the Extender, putting in the eight digit key, then it says "Cannot be found" and yeah I'm in the media tab sitting on the "download the software" screen which is after it displays the ####-#### key.

Basically, I've done what you're saying to do, and no the computer never says an extender has been found.

[Jihalizad]

Interesting side note, I was able to connect easily from a Windows XP Home pc using WMP 11, odd? Or is this just another reason why Vista sucks? I've been on the phone since I left my last message here with both Xbox(Microsoft) and Belkin (router) companies. Eventually Belkin just said to add it to the DMZ so that it's outside the Router's port blocking completely.

[Jihalizad]

Ok, never updated later that night (The 17th) but after four-five hours of calls back and forth between Belkin/Microsoft, I finally got it working.


THE FIX:
Turn off wireless B compatibility on the router, making it a solely Wireless G network for stabilization.

Secondly, put the xbox in the DMZ (outside of router/port forwarding interference) for communications issues.

Lastly, do not hook it up via media center/extender, you lose playback/recording functions this way but at least you'll be able to go into the Xbox Dashboard media tab and select Music, Pictures, Video, hit X to change the source, and select any computer sharing folders that it can see on the network regardless of whether or not it's set up as an extender. EDIT: This means that unlike being an extender, the Xbox can connect to ANY computer in your house and not just one. (Being an extender means the xbox can only connect to that one computer.)

All in all, I'm very happy with my Xbox, I didn't even know of this function at first, and I have to say it's very...poorly implemented, but hey, I'm able to view my video folders, play Bleach episode 170 on my tv while fishing and grinding on World of Warcraft on my PC. This is the most satisfying thing I've done with my PC since I bought my 22 inch widescreen, besides buying my PC in the first place heh.


To anyone who's still thinking about getting an xbox, think about this as well, pain in the butt to set up in some situations like mine where you don't have a router from the "approved" list and your pc is hooked up wireless via crappy....crappy USB dongle, but hey, mine works, and without any pixelation/blackout from network lag.

I'm sure if I had both xbox and pc wired to the router this would've been easier, but I don't have that option, for one my xbox is going to move around the house and I'm not dragging a cable all over the place with me, so it has wireless, secondly, my pc is in my bedroom and no cable has been run yet, but I have to have my internet, so it's wireless as well (for now).

I'll be trying this again once I get an ethernet line ran into my room, it's costing me only 20 bucks for a jack installed in the wall when we switch our cable company out.