Expert: Andrew Crome - 6/4/2008

Question
How do u set up xbox live on xbox 360 and what do u need to set it up. And what are the points used for and how do u use them.

Answer
Hi Tyler,

Xbox Live is very easy to set up. If you have a wired router, simply plug an ethernet cable into the back of your Xbox, and connect it to the router. If you have a wireless router, you need to buy the wireless adapter, which costs around $99/£50. If you don't have a router, you can connect via Windows "Internet Connection Sharing" if you plug your console into your PC. This is quite in depth, so see the Microsoft website for detailed instructions if you need to do this(www.xbox.com/en-US/support/connecttolive/xbox360/connectionmethods/windowsics.htm)

Once you are connected, the console will automatically go online, and set-up instructions will appear on screen. If you do not have an Xbox Live account, it will ask you to set one up. By default you will have a free "silver" account, which will allow you to download items from the Marketplace. If you want to play multiplayer games, you need to pay for a "Gold" account.

Microsoft points are the "currency" used to buy Xbox Live Arcade games, themes and Gamerpics from the Xbox marketplace. You can either buy points on Live via your credit card, or buy a pre-paid card with a voucher code (this is cheaper). You simply enter the code at the "Redeem voucher" screen on Xbox Live. When you want to buy an item from marketplace, simply select it, choose download, and state "Yes" when it tells you how much it will cost. Your points balance will be deducted however many points the item cost.

Hope this helps

Andy