Here are the steps to share your wireless connection on a wireless capable laptop with your Xbox 360 console using Windows XP:
1. On your laptop click on Start and navigate to Connect To.
2. Right-click on Wireless Network Connection and select Properties.
3. Click on the Advanced tab and check the box "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection." Then click on OK.
4. Turn on the Xbox console.
5. Connect the ethernet cable into the console's ethernet port and the other end into your laptop's ethernet port.
6. If you are already connected on the Internet with your laptop, repair your connection by right-clicking on the connection in the taskbar.
7. On your Xbox, navigate to the system panel.
8. Click on "Test Connection to Xbox Live". Test the connection.
If you get an error, check to see if you have a firewall running such as ZoneAlarm. Temporarily disabled it to get the Xbox online.
See detailed steps at THIS SITE.
Microsoft security updates
Microsoft has released one critical patch for their January security updates. The patch address two flaws in all currently supported Windows versions. Learn more at THIS SITE.
Net buzzz
Microsoft released a beta version of Windows 7 for testers in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Minimum recommended system requirements include a 1GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor, 1GB RAM, 16 GB of free hard drive space, a 128MB DirectX 9 video card, a DVD-R/W Drive and Internet access.
The Windows 7 beta is only available to the first 2.5 million people who download it. The beta release expires on Aug. 1.
Learn more about Windows 7 at THIS SITE.
Ouch, I got burned!
A couple months ago, I thought I found a great deal on a 16GB USB flash drive. Well, after I tested it out I found that it was a fake.
Yes, I had read several cautions in regards to fake no-name brand USB flash drive running rampage on eBay.
However, I didn't think to test my great find until this week when I was planning to use the drive.
I located a few of the utilities that were supposed to detect a phony and sure enough, I was one of the unlucky ones.
Instead of 16GB, it turns out that the drive I received was actually a 4GB drive.
To add insult to injury, about a month after I bought mine off eBay, Newegg offered a name brand Kingston USB drive for only $19.99 with free shipping.
Lesson learned! Next time I'll do my happy dance after testing out my great deal and I'll wait for another great deal on Newegg.
E-mail me at sheila@amnews.com; fax me at (859) 236-9566; or write me snail-mail at The Advocate-Messenger, P.O. Box 149, Danville, KY 40423-0149.
