Xbox live problem...

Well, it doesn't have a web browser at all (the dashboard is a kind of heavily modified web browser, but it isn't going to allow you to do what they need you to do...). The device most certainly does have a network compliant ethernet card in it.

What they probably need to do is configure either the DNS information or retrieve the MAC address of the machine. Inform them that the XBox doesn't have a full-function web browser, but you can change settings on the network card. Refer to the XBox Live section of www.xbox.com for instructions on the advanced network settings.

When you connected with the internet with your computer, did you get an email with information from the tech center?

If so, did it give you information like what MAC Address they assigned to your computer?

I'll wait for you to respond before I continue because I was in a similar situation.

There you go. They need to assign an IP address to it. You can try setting the IP for the XBox to the same as your computer, but that will ONLY work if the computer is off. You can't have two devices operating on a network with the same IP. Alternately, they could assign you a seperate IP for the XBox and everything should work fine.

Concerning the password... is this used to log on to the network itself? Or merely services on the network? They may be using PPPoE protocol, in which case you'll have to set your username and password in the XBox network settings.

The XBox should give you an error message when it fails to connect to the network. What exactly does that message say? That may help us troubleshoot more intelligently.

Mmmm, not good. The university probably has a firewall blocking traffic through port 3074. Without access to that port, XBL won't work. Period.

There's a couple ways to find this out... you could

A) Ask the geeks down in the IT department, and they might just tell you.
B) Follow the instructions on this page to test the port for yourself. This is assuming you have a Windows PC already running on the network. Use at your own risk.

If port 3074 is blocked, you're screwed. Sorry .

Aight, I do not know if this is the same problem as the previous chewer had, but:

I had my XBOX set up at school, and when I brought it back home for the Summer I could not connect to XBOX Live. I have ROADRUNNER and the problem is that my DNS is not resolved. I have 4 different DNS numbers, so I do not know which one to use or how to use it.

Help me out, fellas.

Ooh, I need more information. Two things. First, is the XBox connected to a router, to your PC, or directly into the cable modem? Second, give me the specific error message, with code number (if any).

EDIT: Actually I need more than that. I need the model of your cable modem as well.

Directly into the cable modem. The Model of the cable modem is a Motorolla SB5100.

"DNS Server cannot be reached" (with no error number)

OK, first of all, the problem is the XBox's MAC address. Road Runner charges on a per-device basis... that is, you pay the base amount for one computer connected, and extra for each other computer (or XBox, or PS2, or whatever) accessing your cable modem. Each network device has a unique MAC address, a 12 digit hexadecimal number, that identifies it to your cable modem. There are four ways to work around this. One is best, one will work fairly well, and the other two methods suck.

First, the worst method. Unplug your cable modem from the power source for about 10 minutes, maybe longer. This might wipe the on-board memory. Next, plug the cable modem back in, then plug in your XBox. And pray it works. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. This is a cheat... there's no guarantee it will give you access. Also, if you use this method, you'll have to do the same procedure to connect your computer back into the network every time. Yeah, it sucks. Read more about this cheat here.

The second-worst method is to contact Road Runner and ask about paying for multiple devices. They'll probably allow you to do so, for a fee... $5 to $10 a month. This will work best if your computer is connected to the modem by USB, and your XBox uses the Ethernet port. But you have to pay extra, on top of the XBox Live fee, and that sucks. I don't recommend it.

The next best option, and the one you should consider if you want to save money, is this... You can "fake out" the MAC address check by actually giving the XBox the same number as your PC network card... so the modem can't tell the difference. To do this you must first find the MAC address on your PC, and then go to the "Advanced Network Settings" panel on your XBox and enter it in. Also, when you use this technique, the XBox must be the only device plugged into the modem. You can't use the USB port simultaneously. In other words, your PC and your XBox can't be on the internet simultaneously.

And here's the best option... but it will cost you money. Buy a router. The bad news... the model I recommend will set you back $60. It's the Linksys EtherFast® Cable/DSL Router, and it will do everything you'll ever need a router to do for home use. Yeah, I know, it's expensive. But here's the good news. 1) It makes your PC much, much less vulnerable to hackers and malicious programs. 2) You can plug up to four devices into it... that would be your computer, your XBox, and other computers or PS2 or whatever, all simultaneously using the internet. You won't have to keep switching cables, and you won't have to pay Road Runner one extra cent. 3) It solves the MAC address problem, the whole point of this thread. 4) If you ever plan on buying more stuff to use on the internet, you're going to need one anyway.

Anyway, if you decide not to get the router and want to try reprogramming the XBox's MAC address, let me know. I can step you through it, but I'll need to know which version of Windows you are running.

I will do this tomorrow, and you rock. Thanks.

I will probably buy that router, since it really is the easiest way regardless of the money.

Yeah, i am having that same problem.But. Is it possible to use Xbox live through a hub? I have a hub. Can that function as the router?

No. Hubs are dummy switches. You need a router to handle multiple computers connected to the internet.

But I have 3 computers connected to the internet at the same time using a hub, how is that dif than a router?

Your ISP may allow multiple computers to connect to the same internet connection. Most don't without extra fees, so in situations like that you need a router.

mine you need to pay extra for more IP's

Where is your hub connected? Directly to the cable modem, or to one of your computers? If it's not directly connected to your cable modem you may be using your PC as an internet portal. If it IS connected to the cable modem, you're either paying for the extra IP's already, or you're getting away with something.

I got it to work and got back to getting blown out of the sky in my Doppelganger.