General Help

How do I play Xbox online with XBConnect?
Will XBConnect work with dial up?
What games can you play on XBConnect?
Do I need a mod chip to use XBConnect?
Is there a monthly or annual cost?
What is the difference between PAL and NTSC?
I Lost my XBConnect Pro serial number. What do I have to do to get it back?
I am interested in becoming XBConnect staff. How can I apply?
What do the icons in the server list mean?
What do the different colors represent in the nicknames list?

How do I play Xbox online with XBConnect?

This section will walk you through setting up XBConnect for the first time. First, be sure to check the common network configurations to make sure your hardware is setup correctly. The network setup page can be found here.
Step one:
Download the current version of XBConnect from the downloads page here.
Step two:
Install XBConnect using the self installing archive to a destination of your choice. Be sure to install pSDK (default packet driver) or WinPCap (recommended for older computers) which is also included in the XBConnect install.
Step three:
Turn on your Xbox, and choose a system link game of your choice. Proceed to the "Looking for games screen" which is usually found in multi player or online play menu. Stay at this screen, XBConnect needs this screen in order to detect your Xbox.
Step four:
Assuming you have already created an account with XBConnect, login and on the top menu, select Options, General Options. With the Xbox still in the "Looking for games screen" click the FIND button in order to detect your Xbox.
Note:
Depending on the system link game being used, it may be necessary to refresh the "Looking for games screen" in order to detect your Xbox.
Step five:
Once your Xbox has been successfully detected, feel free to setup your other options to meet your personal preference. When you are ready to give a game a shot, select the "Refresh" button located on the left hand side of XBConnect. Find a server based on the game you are looking to play. Remember the lower the ping the better the chance of having a smoother game.
Step six:
When the host has opened the game, it will then appear on your TV. Join the game and enjoy.

Will XBConnect work with dial up?

You must have broadband in order for XBConnect to work. A minimum of 128K is recommended.

What games can you play on XBConnect?

You can find a current list of supported games by looking to your right under "Supported Games." However, the basic rule of thumb is, if its system link you can play it on XBConnect. Don't see a game on the list that you think should be there? E-mail us by clicking here.

Do I need a mod chip to use XBConnect?

No, XBConnect does not require a mod chip. XBConnect does in fact work fine if you are modded and all your games will run normally. XBConnect also does not detect the use of mod chips. We will not however offer help and support for people with modded boxes.

Is there a monthly or annual cost?

XBConnect is 100% free to use. There are no hidden cost, monthly fees, and no credit card is needed to setup an account. We do offer a Pro Users version with added features. Pro Users version is good for the life of XBConnect. If you are interested, and want to see all the added features you get with XBConnect Pro, click here.

What is the difference between PAL and NTSC?

There are two main video standards currently used across the world. PAL is used extensively throughout Europe while NTSC is more common in North America and Japan. Depending on the game, some PAL and NTSC may or may not be compatible with each other for game play.

I Lost my XBConnect Pro serial number. What do I have to do to get it back?

To recover your XBConnect Pro Serial Number, simply open up XBConnect. Once open, on the top toolbar of XBConnect select the Help menu and choose "Recover Lost Serial."

I am interested in becoming XBConnect staff. How can I apply?

Current XBConnect staff members notices the users who spend countless hours in the XBConnect help channel and those who help on the XBConnect Forums. It is always best to get noticed rather then to beg other channel operators.

What do the icons in the server list mean?

represents a Players Rank hosting a room. One corner represents 5 out of 25 votes.
represents an XBConnect Approved server for high upload.
represents that the room is currently locked by password.
represents the room is currently full.

What do the different colors represent in the nicknames list?

Green represents XBConnect channel operator.
Blue represents XBConnect channel half operator.
Red represents XBConnect Approved Server in Game 1.

Setting Up

This is my first time on XBConnect, what are some common network setups?
What kind of cable should I use and how do I know it's the right one?
I am running wireless, what do I need to know?

This is my first time on XBConnect, what are some common network setups?

There are several different ways to setup your network. You can find the most common network setups by heading here.

What kind of cable should I use and how do I know it's the right one?

Patch cables or RJ-45 are used to connect computers to network devices such as hubs, routers and switches. Crossover cables are commonly used to connect like devices such as PC to PC or Xbox to Xbox. If you are unsure what kind of cable you have you can check the writing on the cable, most have it written on it. If you are still unable to tell, hold up both end of the cable together and compare the colors of the wires inside the plug. A patch cable will have the wire colors in the same order on both ends. A crossover cable will have two colors switched.

I am running wireless, what do I need to know?

When using XBConnect, both the Xbox and the computer cannot be wireless. If the computer is wireless, the Xbox must be connected to the computer with a crossover cable and setup Windows ICS. If you are using the wireless adapter for the Xbox, have it plugged in and go into XBConnect Options - General options and check mark "Mac translation for Wet11."

Hosting & Joining

Do I need to forward any ports?
I get a "Timeout" error when trying to join a game. What am I doing wrong?
Why is my ping N/A when I am hosting?
My game play is real choppy, why so?
Why am I not seeing a lot of games being hosted?
My Xbox is detected, and network is setup. Why don't I see any games on my TV?

Do I need to forward any ports?

The common user will most likely not have to forward ports. If you are looking to host, then it is a good idea to forward your ports so that other users can view your ping. For router tutorials head to PortForward.com. If you cannot seem to find your router on the list head over to the Help Forums or drop by the XBConnect help channel located in XBConnect.

Note: XBConnect uses ports 8602 on UDP and TCP.

I get a "Timeout" error when trying to join a game. What am I doing wrong?

Several reasons this happens. First, the host may or locked or taken down the game as you were trying to join it. Secondly, if the host has FW for a ping, he most likely does not have their router setup correctly. If this is happening to all the rooms you are trying to join, it may be a good idea to take a look at your firewall or router.

Why is my ping N/A when I am hosting?

If you are trying to find out if your ping is showing to other users, only to see that it says N/A don't be alarmed. It is impossible to ping yourself. Simply ask in chat to see if your room has a ping or not.

My game play is real choppy, why so?

Games like Halo, were not meant for online play. So the packets are much larger than a game that's made with online play. This is why a game may lag if a host has low upload. Another cause may be the presence of Ad ware or Spybots. A program we recommend to download is Spybot's Search & Destroy. Also, try this TCP Optimizer, its a free Windows program designed to help optimize your internet connection. Just download it and run, no setup required.

Why am I not seeing a lot of games being hosted?

If no games are appearing on the server list and you get an "Error contacting server list" first, start off by checking your software firewall. Once you are sure it is setup correctly check to make sure the game of your choice is highlighted on the left hand side of the server list. Lastly, on the top menu bar of XBConnect, select Filter and configure that to your needs.

My Xbox is detected, and network is setup. Why don't I see any games on my TV?

It may be necessary to re-detect your Xbox and be sure your network devices are configured properly. If you are running wireless be sure you have a good signal and that you are setup accordingly.

Common Errors

My Xbox will not detect. What can I do?
I am getting a WinPCap error, what should I do?
How can I fix the "Failed to Join System Link" error?
Why am I getting a Dirty Disk Error?
What is my Xbox's IP Address and why does my software firewall say I am being attacked from 0.0.0.1?
I can't seem to connect to chat. What's wrong?

My Xbox will not detect. What can I do?

First, be sure that you are in the "Looking for games screen." Check that your network is setup correctly, all cables connected and network devices powered on. It may be necessary to "Power cycle" your network. If you are running a software firewall, see steps on how to configure them for use with XBConnect by heading to the Help Centre Firewall section.
Note: A power cycle consist of unplugging your cable modem, router, switch, or hub from the wall power outlet for about two minutes. When devices are powered back up, reboot your computer and Xbox.

I am getting a WinPCap error, what should I do?

WinPCap is an Architecture for packet capture and network analysis for Win32 platforms. If you are getting this error, it will cause your Xbox to not be detected. First, close XBConnect, head to your control panel, select Add/Remove programs and select WinPCap. After it has finished uninstalling, reboot your computer. When your computer is back from the reboot, do not start XBConnect. Download WinPCap 2.3. Once version 2.3 is installed, reboot your computer again. The problem should now be fixed.
Note: If you are running a computer that has hyper threading, or running a dual processor machine you will need to install WinPCap 3.1.

How can I fix the "Failed to Join System Link" error?

This error can usually be fixed just by simply re-detecting your Xbox by selecting Options - general options, clear list then FIND. This error can also be from a bad network setup, or having ports forwarded to the wrong IP address on your router.

Why am I getting a Dirty Disk Error?

Your disk is probably fine. This is just a bug in Halo. To fix this error, simply load up your Halo, select multi player, then head to split screen. Once you select split screen keep pressing "A" until you are on the screen that says its waiting for other boxes to join. After that, simply go back to System link and everything will now be fine. Do this every time you first turn on your Xbox to play Halo online.

What is my Xbox's IP Address and why does my software firewall say I am being attacked from 0.0.0.1?

The Xbox has a given IP of 0.0.0.1. When linked to your computer, it may trigger off as a potential attack. What you need to do is configure your software firewall to allow this IP address.

I can't seem to connect to chat. What's wrong?

Few things may cause this. The chat server could possibly be down at that time. Another cause could be that some sort of firewall is running and is blocking your access. The third possibility is that you may be banned from chat. If you think you are banned from chat, and would like a reason contact MaDDNeSS.