3rd party wifi adapter for xbox?
January 19, 2011 9:05 AM   Subscribe

Can I use a third party wireless adapter for an XBOX360? I've long been frustrated by not having wireless on my xbox. I almost never want to be online with the thing, but when I do, I'd rather not drag a cable through the house. Now I've got a radio labs wireless adapter/antenna booster. I was just looking at the official 360 adapter, and am struck that they're probably very similar. Can I use my third part adapter, or is the 360 software so picky that it's not going to work? Thoughts? I'd rather not pay for this crap, Microsoft has enough of my filthy lucre already.
posted by Stagger Lee to Technology (10 answers total)
 
The 360 only works with the official adapter, full stop. If you don't want to spend the money for the official adapter, consider buying a wireless bridge, but you're really not going to save very much.
posted by Oktober at 9:08 AM on January 19, 2011


Powerline adapters are a better option than wireless for consoles. Better speed for streaming video.
posted by srboisvert at 9:11 AM on January 19, 2011


There are a number of external adapters for the Xbox that work -- check ebay.

Also, you can connect to Xbox LIVE through your laptop (just Google "connect Xbox LIVE laptop" for a variety of sites).
posted by musofire at 9:11 AM on January 19, 2011


Oktober, I have made an external adapter work with the Xbox, and I have also connected it through my Mac. It takes a bit of fussing, and it can be wonky, is all.
posted by musofire at 9:12 AM on January 19, 2011


Can you move your wireless hub to the xbox area, connect your xbox to your wireless router with a cable, and just go wireless on your main computer? you can get a USB wireless adapter for a computer for around ten or twelve bucks these days... that's what I did.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 9:14 AM on January 19, 2011


Just drag the cable. Tack it out of the way around the doorframes or ceiling and you'll be glad you did it forever. One less problematic box in the way, no power outlets used up, etc.
posted by rokusan at 9:23 AM on January 19, 2011


Response by poster:
Oktober, I have made an external adapter work with the Xbox...


When you say that you "made it work" did you have to do any configuring, or did it just work?
posted by Stagger Lee at 9:48 AM on January 19, 2011


Can you move your wireless hub to the xbox area, connect your xbox to your wireless router with a cable, and just go wireless on your main computer? you can get a USB wireless adapter for a computer for around ten or twelve bucks these days... that's what I did.

I agree with Pickman's Next Top Model. You computer can handle a wireless connection a lot better than your Xbox 360 can, and both internal and USB network adapters are dirt cheap these days.

Alternatively, you could buy any of the el-cheapo wireless routers that work with DD-WRT, install the custom firmware, and set the thing to work in wireless bridge mode. It takes a little tinkering, but the end result is being able to plug several devices into the router and they will behave as if you're plugging them into the main one. This is the setup I'm currently using, so I can attest to its usefulness. I picked up a Linksys WRT54G for $20 on Ebay and it looks like it's still available for around that price.
posted by Willie0248 at 10:04 AM on January 19, 2011


Alternatively, you could buy any of the el-cheapo wireless routers that work with DD-WRT, install the custom firmware, and set the thing to work in wireless bridge mode. It takes a little tinkering, but the end result is being able to plug several devices into the router and they will behave as if you're plugging them into the main one. This is the setup I'm currently using, so I can attest to its usefulness. I picked up a Linksys WRT54G for $20 on Ebay and it looks like it's still available for around that price.

This is also what I'm doing, and it works very well.
posted by TypographicalError at 12:14 PM on January 19, 2011


We use a third-party solution as well. It was a PITA to set up, but once established it's been trouble-free.

Powerline adapters are also pretty cool; I'm using one on my main computer and have really liked it.
posted by oblique red at 12:54 PM on January 19, 2011


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