Halo 3 game review and trailers too!!

Halo is a video game series created by Bungie Studios For Xbox. The Halo trilogy centers around Master Chief Petty Officer SPARTAN-117, or simply "the Master Chief", a human super-soldier equipped with technologically advanced battle armor, and his Construct AI companion, Cortana.

The epic saga continues with Halo 3, the hugely anticipated sequel to the highly successful and critically acclaimed Halo franchise. In this third chapter of the Halo trilogy, Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax.

Halo 3 represents the third chapter in the Halo trilogy—an international award-winning action series that grew into a global entertainment phenomenon, selling more than 14.5 million units worldwide, logging more than 650 million hours of multiplayer action on Xbox Live, and spawning action figures, books, a graphic novel, apparel, an upcoming film adaptation, and more.

High-definition visuals, enhanced A.I., an advanced real-time lighting engine, and new weapons, characters, and challenges are just a few examples of Halo 3's evolution of design and technology.


See the game trailer!

A beta test of the multi-player component of the game is scheduled to be available in Spring 2007. The final version of the game is due to be released in Fall 2007.

The Xbox Live multiplayer public beta, which is a pre-release version of the multiplayer experience of Halo 3 and exclusively on Xbox 360 will also represents an opportunity for you to give information that will help in the development of Halo 3!!


Here's another one, It's really a great one!

If you want to participate in the Beta version and share your ideas with the game programmers there were 3 ways to do so, even to register on http://www.halo3.com/ and that way is closed now and all selected players have been notified, or to qualify and register as part of the ‘Rule of Three’ program and this way is also closed and all selected players have been notified so, the only way remaining which you can still use is by purchasing Crackdown.

All Crackdown boxes will be specially marked with a Halo 3 sticker before the beta begins. When the Halo 3 multiplayer beta surfaces in spring 2007, those owners of Crackdown that have a valid Xbox Live Gold subscription simply need to load their copy of Crackdown into Xbox 360 and use the disc as a key to download the beta from Xbox Live Marketplace and join the battle in Halo 3 multiplayer.

By the way, your invitation (if you got one) is non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash, so see you online buddy!!

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Now the new Xbox 360 Elite!! All in BLACK will be released on the 29/04

REDMOND, Wash. — March 27, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the upcoming availability of Xbox 360™ Elite, a new model of the video game and entertainment system that will include a 120GB hard drive, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port, a high-definition cable, and a premium black finish for the console, wireless controller and Xbox LIVE® headset. Xbox 360 Elite has enough space for a library of Xbox LIVE Arcade games and thousands of songs, as well as downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The new 120GB hard drive also will be sold as a stand-alone accessory to give current Xbox 360 owners greater choice and flexibility in their games and entertainment experience. Additional Xbox 360 Elite accessories, such as the black Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit and the Xbox 360 rechargeable battery, will be available separately. The Xbox 360 Elite and its accessories are expected to begin arriving in U.S. stores on April 29.

It's all coming in Black!!

•Xbox 360 Elite console. The console is equipped with a premium black finish and three powerful core processors capable of producing the best in HD entertainment (up to 1080p), 16:9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound, HDMI output and DVD playback with upscaling capabilities right out of the box.

•Xbox 360 120GB hard drive. The 120GB detachable hard drive allows gamers to save their games and store television shows, movies, music, pictures, trailers, levels, demos and other content available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.3 The hard drive is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $179.99 (U.S.).

•Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (black). This award-winning, high-performance wireless controller, now in black, features the Xbox® Guide Button for quick, in-game access to friends and music. It has a range of up to 30 feet and a battery life of 30 hours on two AA batteries. It is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.).

•Xbox 360 headset (black). Now available in black, the headset lets gamers strategize or trade taunts while playing games and send voice messages to friends on Xbox LIVE.

•Xbox 360 HDMI cable. New to Xbox 360, HDMI allows consumers to get HD video (up to 1080p) and multichannel surround sound, all from one cable.

•Xbox LIVE Silver Membership. With this, gamers can chat with friends online, collect achievements and gamerscores, send and receive voice and text messages, and access Xbox LIVE Marketplace content such as game demos, HD movies and TV, as well as the best in downloadable games from Xbox LIVE Arcade.

•One-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold. An Xbox LIVE Gold Membership provides a complete online entertainment experience. Those who subscribe to this premium service can engage in competitive online multiplayer matches, tailor their matchmaking via feedback and accomplishments, chat with more than one person at a time, and take advantage of unique privileges in the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and Xbox LIVE Arcade.

The following accessories for the Xbox 360 Elite console will only be sold separately:

•Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit. Complete with a charging cable and a black rechargeable battery pack, the Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit allows gamers to recharge their Xbox 360 Wireless Controller without interrupting their gameplay. It is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $19.99 (U.S.).
•Xbox 360 rechargeable battery (black). The rechargeable battery pack provides more than 25 hours of gameplay per charge. It is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $11.99 (U.S.).

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Xbox 360 game disc is scratched and will not play anymore!

The disc is scratched and will not play anymore!!! An issue that some among us may experience with one or more of their Xbox 360 discs, getting any error message like "Unreadable disc" or "To play this disc, put it in an Xbox 360 console".

Frankly, if any device that reads discs moved or repositioned while it's reading the disc inside that's for sure may harm the disc and result on a scratch, so if you move your Xbox 360 console or reposition it while there is a disc inside that will be the main reason your disc has been scratched, but there is still some other reasons for a disc to get scratched.

For Xbox 360 disc there were some tests or investigations done by the technician department in Xbox 360 team, according to them, If you describe the scratch to be like a perfect circle near to the edge of the disc that would be due to repositioning the Xbox 360 console while the disc is there, and for that kind of scratch they do not take any action as it's not a fault with the Xbox 360 console or with the disc.

If the scratch appears to be on any other shape, that might be due to an intermittent issue with your Xbox 360 disc drive, so you can then contact Xbox 360 customer support and they will tell you exactly what to do, basically you'll have to send them a photo of the scratched disc or discs to get it sorted out.

The problem is always with the perfect circle scratch that the Xbox 360 support team can't assist you on getting it fixed, exchanged or even they can't give you a compensation for, well i have searched about that and got to some options that might help:
1. According to EA Games any scratched game disc can be exchanged for 10£, so if your scratched disc is an EA Games one you can contact them to get it exchanged, they asked to send the original disc with a cheque payable to payable to Electronic Arts Ltd, to the address:

Electronic Arts UK Ltd
Customer Services
PO Box 181
Chertsey Surrey
KT16 0YL

And that's for the UK you can ask them for their address in your country, also asked to include full details of the defect, your name, address and if possible a daytime telephone number where they can contact you.

Also if If you have any more questions, you may also contact their warranty department at: UK-Warranty@ea.com.

2. Now the very new thing that also Microsoft has offered the same to as a game manufacturing company, we can exchange the scratched or damaged Microsoft game disc directly from Microsoft but till now not all games are available on the list, you can check the list of games that are available at Microsoft for replacement as it is subject to availability on This Link.

For sure you'll have then to include the damaged game disc also you'll have to fill the "Replacement disc form" that you can download from Xbox website and you'll find all information about it at This Link.

3. If it's not an EA Games, some companies provide a scratched discs repair service so that might help and it's always for around 2.5 to 3 pounds or dollars, if you are living in the UK check this link OR if you are from the US check this link you'll find a list of repair centers that do repair scratched discs.

Warped or cracked discs cannot be repaired. Basically providing the data layer of the disc is not damaged they should be able to repair the disc. If a scratched CD has damage to the data layer itself there is nothing that can be done to retrieve this data. The data layer is very close to the label side of the disc and so is vulnerable to scratches from the top. To see if the data layer is damaged, hold the disc label side toward a light bulb. Any pin-pricks of light that show through indicate damage to the data layer. The good news is that discs with minor damage to the data layer often play perfectly after restoration. Naturally, the worse the damage, the less likely it is that the disc can be restored.

They said also that some people have dealt with moderate scratches with metal polish, rubbed on with tissues, to cut the polycarbonate around the scratch down to the scratches level; next, a wipe of clear furniture polish will fill the mild scuff mark the abrasive left, I don't know whether that gonna work or not.

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Xbox 360 error "This disc is unreadable" OR "Unplayable disc"

Turned on your Xbox 360 console one day and and when you try to play your game you got the message "This disc is unreadable" OR "Unplayable disc".....??

First determine whether it's a fault with the disc or not, by having a look on the disc itself & make sure it's not scratched and there are no flaws even on it, and try other game discs on your Xbox 360 console .

If your disc is scratched or have flaws try putting other discs in your Xbox 360 console just to make sure it's the disc not the actual console causing the error, If other disc are working fine, refer to the scratched discs page on our website to know what are the steps you have to follow to get it sorted out.

If the disc is not scratched and doesn't have any flaws on it, cleaning the disc and trying it once more may solve the issue, if that doesn't work try to check it by putting other discs in your Xbox 360 console, if they all work that would be definitely a fault with the disc itself and in a case like this you have the right to exchange it from the retailer you bought it from as it's not scratched.

In all cases if other game discs are giving you the same error message "This disc is unreadable" OR "Unplayable disc" you need then to contact Xbox 360 customer support to send your console to get repaired or exchanged.

You got the Error message "To play this disc, put it in an Xbox 360 console"

Do you need any xbox 360 help or did you suddenly, when you put the game disc one day it gave you the error message "to play this disc, put it in an Xbox 360 console" and you don't know why that happened or how, let me tell you!

That might be something related to your Xbox 360 console itself or the disc you are trying to play on, so first have a look on the Xbox 360 game disc itself and check whether there is any kind of scratches or flaws on it.

If you find a scratch or a flaw on the disc that seems to be the reason and just to check it you can put any other game in your Xbox 360 console and try it once more, if the other game is working fine that definitely assures that it's a fault with the game disc & check on the scratched discs page on our web site for more information about the reason for this issue to occur.

In case there is no scratch or a flaw on the game disc try the following steps:
1- With no discs in the disc tray, go to the System section on the dashboard.
2- Select Console Settings.
3- Select Start Up.
4- Make sure it is set to Disc not dashboard.
If it is set to dashboard, select Disc and try the game again. It should work.
If is already set to disc or you tried setting it to Disc and still not working try the following steps:

1. Just clean the disc & put it back in your Xbox 360 console and see whether it's going to work again or not.
2. If it's still not working try also another discs to know whether it's an issue with the actual Xbox 360 console then or not.
3. If the other discs work fine you can try it then without the hard drive because it might also be something related to the hard drive.
4. If it is still not working so this game disc would be for sure faulty and you have the right to exchange it from the retailer you bought it from as it's not scratched.

In all cases if other game discs are giving you the same error message "To play this disc, put it in an Xbox 360 console" you need then to contact Xbox 360 customer support to send your console to get repaired or exchanged.

Mad Catz to Offer Mass Effect Accessories

Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party video game accessory provider, announced today that it will produce a new line of officially-licensed accessories to support the launch of BioWare’s highly-anticipated game, Mass Effect. Mad Catz has entered into an exclusive agreement with BioWare to produce products for the launch of the title.

“BioWare’s Mass Effect, a science fiction role-playing game being launched exclusively for the Xbox 360, is widely regarded as one of the most anticipated interactive entertainment software titles of 2007,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “The addition of the Mass Effect license further expands our portfolio of high-profile entertainment and sports licenses and is consistent with our goal to align ourselves with important, mass-appeal brands and interactive entertainment software launches. We recently demonstrated the success and value of this strategy with our well-received line of officially-licensed merchandise for Epic Games’ Gears of War® video game. We look forward to delivering stylish accessories to fans of this futuristic epic when it launches.”

“Mad Catz has established a strong track record of producing and delivering quality products to coincide with major software launches,” said Greg Zeschuk, President of BioWare Corp. “We look forward to the addition of the Mad Catz accessories to Mass Effect’s highly-anticipated launch and are delighted that Mad Catz is offering our fans another outlet to show their enthusiasm for the game.”

The Mass Effect-themed products will include a faceplate and Console Skinz™ combo pack for the Xbox 360 with an MSRP of $29.99 which includes a faceplate and graphics to customize the sides of the console. The products will be available at major video game retailers throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. For more information visit www.madcatz.com.

Four Red Lights flashes on your Xbox 360 console

If you turn on your Xbox 360 console and you found the four quadrants of the ROL (Ring of Light) flashes red That's an indicator that your Xbox 360 AV cable is not connected correctly, or is not connected at all even so you need to double check it.

The best way to make sure that the AV cable is connected correctly is by unplugging it from the back of your Xbox 360 console and also from the back of your TV then reconnect them back firmly and turn on your console once more it supposed then to disappear and you get the Xbox 360 Dashboard loads then normally on the screen of your TV.

If you faced any other issue with your xbox 360 console you'll find on our help your answer if you can't find it please leave a comment with your question.

Two Red Lights Flashing on you Xbox 360 Console

If suddenly while you are playing you get two quadrants of the ROL (Ring of Light) around the power button of you Xbox 360 console flashing red, this is an indicator that your Xbox 360 console is overheating some how.

That will be due to one of the following reasons:

1. You set your Xbox 360 console near to any heat source or electrical device.
2. Your xbox 360 console is not set in a well ventilated area.
3. There is something blocking the fan openings on your Xbox 360 console.
4. You are using the Xbox 360 external fan, and basically that's a third party accessory so it sometimes harm the Xbox 360 console.

So, try eliminating all these reasons & if you are still experiencing the same behaviour then you have to contact Xbox 360 customer support to exchange your console or even to get it repaired.

One red light flashes on your Xbox 360 console

Some of us suddenly when we turn on our Xbox 360 console one day we got one red light flashes on the ROL (Ring of Light) around the Xbox 360 power button, and we got an Error message appearing on the TV screen "System error" also might occur with any error code like E66, E67, E68, E71, E74 or E77, all the same.

When you get any of these messages appearing on your screen with one red light flashing on the ROL of your Xbox 360 console that's an indicator of a hardware problem with the console connection to one of the parts connected to it as the hard drive or cables.

So, first disconnect all power and AV cables from the back of your Xbox 360 console and also unplug the power cord from the wall socket, wait for a minute then reconnect them all back and try to turn on your Xbox 360 console once more.

If that doesn't work, it seems then to be a fault with your Xbox 360 hard drive so turn off the console again and remove the hard drive then turn on your Xbox 360 console without the hard drive, supposed then to work fine, it might be an intermittent issue and when you reconnect the hard drive your Xbox 360 will work fine all after, or it will just work fine without the hard drive so it will be then definitely a fault with your Xbox 360 hard drive so call Xbox 360 customer support to exchange the hard drive for you.

The Xbox 360 console might even keep giving you the same error code even after you remove the hard drive so it will then appear to be a fault with your Xbox 360 console not the hard drive & also in a case like this we need to contact Xbox 360 customer support to exchange the console.

If you have any inquiries about any issue like this please don't hesitate to leave a comment it will go directly to my inbox.

Xbox 360 screen freezes while you're playing your games

Sometimes while you are playing with your Xbox 360 console the screen freezes or pixelate and then the only option you get is to restart your Xbox 360 console so you'd be able to play again normally with your Xbox 360 games for a couple of minutes & after that again it would do the same and that happens with most of the games you actually got not only one of them.

First of all, we need to check wether that only happens online or also offline because there is a yawning gap between the two cases, if it just occurs online it's to do with your Xbox live connection or connection settings, but if it's offline too we have more than one thing that might be a reason for an issue like this to occur, It might be something related to your gamer profile, saved information on your Xbox 360 hard drive or even a hardware failure with your Xbox 360 console itself.

1. Xbox 360 console freeze online only:

That would be definitely something related to your Xbox 360 Live connection, it doesn't have to be not connected, I mean it might need some more configuration.
Well, usually that will happen with a router first go on your Xbox 360 console dashboard to the "System" area then "Network settings" then "Test Xbox Live connection" and if any part in the test fails (that rarely happen in a case like this) you'll find a link on the "Xbox Live main issues" here to assist you on how to resolve it, and most proper you'll find the NAT option not open so check also on the "Xbox Live main issues".
If you are using a router we need to lower the firewall on your router settings, if you don't know how to do so please contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or router manufacturer to tell you how to do it.

2. Xbox 360 console freeze in all cases (online or offline):

a. Check your display settings (system area, console settings then display) and make sure you set it to PAL60.
b. Remove your Xbox 360 hard drive and try playing once more without it.
c. If it works fine without the HDD, seems at the first sight to be an issue with your HDD, but also it might be something related to any corrupted saved games on your Xbox 360 hard drive, and if we consider it to be an issue with the hard drive it will be replaced anyway so we can try and give a shoot to delete all saved information related to this gamertag (go on your Xbox 360 dashboard to the system area, memory, hard drive then games) and after that if you still have the same issue that will define the fault to be with the HDD for sure, contact Xbox 360 customer support to get an exchange for it.
d. If it doesn't work even without the HDD that's a fault with your Xbox 360 console, so contact Xbox 360 customer support to repair or replace your Xbox 360 console.

How to share your internet connection on your PC with your Xbox 360 Console

Internet connection Sharing (ICS) is an option on your PC that allows you to share your Internet connection with other devices, and to do so follow these steps:

1. Go on PC to “Start”
2. Then “Control Panel”

3. Go to “Network Connections”
4. You’ll find 2 main categories “Dial up” & “LAN or High–speed Internet”.

5. If you have more than one "Local Area Network" you must first know which of them is the connection to your Xbox 360 console, so unplug the cable that connects the PC to the console from the back of the PC and look which of them on the screen will turn to be unplugged, so that's the connection to the console, now reconnect the cable.
6. Under “Dial up” you’ll find your broadband connection, so right click on it & go to properties.
7. Then click on the advanced tab, you’ll find there the ICS option, all what you need to do is to enable the check box “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection” and only this check box, then if you have more than one "Local Area Network" you'll get a list of them here to select the one that you want to share your broadband connection with, for sure select the Xbox 360 connection.
8. Then click “OK”.
9. This new settings may not apply unless you disconnect & reconnect again from the Internet.

If you faced any other kind of troubles with this part even after you try these steps please don't hesitate to leave a comment.

Xbox 360 Three red lights ( The Ring of Death )

One of the most common Xbox 360 problems ever is the three red lights that appears on the Xbox 360 console ROL (Ring of Light) around the power button or what we call in the gaming community the ring of death, when you receive this three red lights it's a hardware failure with the actual Xbox 360 console or with the power supply (the gray box connected to the wall outlet).
So, if you have these three red lights always check the colour of the power supply light first, & there are 3 colours for it:

1. Xbox 360 power supply light is Green.

Well, that's the normal case here, this means that there is no problem at all with your power supply it's all with the actual console, the console is faulty & you need then to contact Xbox 360 customer support to send your console to get repaired because most of the retailers will not be able to exchange it for you unless you are still in the first month of your warranty, but you know you'll lose nothing if you give it a shoot with the retailer & try it there first that would be really better for you & quicker even.

2. Xbox 360 power supply light is Orange or yellow.

Usually when the Xbox 360 power supply light is orange it's on standby so there is no problem with your Xbox 360 console but the power supply can't supply it with power!

You have first to try unplugging the Xbox 360 power supply from the console & unplug the power cord from the wall outlet also unplug the Xbox 360 power supply from the power cord, wait for a minute then reconnect it all back also try it on another wall outlet without any extension cord at all, and if it's still doing the same it will be definitely a fault with the Xbox 360 power supply.
So, In this case please contact the Xbox 360 customer support to fulfill the Xbox 360 power supply.

3. Xbox 360 power supply light is Red.

There is something wrong with the Xbox 360 power supply connection so, try unplugging the Xbox 360 power supply from the console & unplug the power cord from the wall outlet also unplug the Xbox 360 power supply from the power cord, wait for a minute then reconnect it all back, also try it on another wall outlet without any extension cord at all.

If it's still red that would be for sure a fault with your Xbox 360 power supply so then contact Xbox 360 customer support to fulfill your Xbox 360 power supply.

4. Xbox 360 power supply light is not illuminating at all.

That usually means that the Xbox 360 power supply is not connected to the wall outlet correctly, but even though it might be a fault with the power supply or the power cord.

Try unplugging the Xbox 360 power supply from the console & unplug the power cord from the wall outlet also unplug the Xbox 360 power supply from the power cord, wait for a minute then reconnect it all back, also try it on another wall outlet without any extension cord at all.
You have to contact Xbox 360 customer support to fulfill your Xbox 360 power supply.

Continue: Some important terms when you connect to Xbox 360 Live

8. MAC Spoofing:
If you are using a cable connection (specially with NTL or Telewest) with a modem, the ISP might have the connection linked to one device mostly would be your PC, So if you want to connect your console to the modem in that case MAC spoofing must be done which means to deceive the modem to think that the Xbox 360 is the PC by changing the MAC address of the Xbox 360 & putting the physical address of the PC instead, And that’s done as follows:
- On the PC click start
- Then Run & type there “cmd”
- You will get a black screen appeared so type there “ipconfig /all”
- You will get some information about your connection appeared on the screen, among these information you’ll find all the connection information including: Physical address, IP address, Gateway, DNS addresses.
- Write the Physical address on a piece of paper. - Go on the dashboard of the Xbox360 to:
System – Network settings – Edit settings – Additional settings – Alternate MAC address, & put the physical address of the PC here without any dashes in between.

9. Modem:
A modem is a device that enables a computer to transmit data over telephone or cable lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analog waves, A modem converts between these two forms.
Some modems has only Ethernet port on it, some others has only USB & some ones has USB port along with the Ethernet port & you can’t use both ports of the modem at the same time, So you can only connect one device to the modem on a time.

10. Router:
It’s a device that contains integrated software that can spread the connection among more than one device, old routers had one port so you’d connect the router to a switch to be connected to all devices but now routers have more than one port so you’d be able to directly connect all your devices to the router, as if it’s a combination between a one port router & a switch.

11. Switch:
A switch connects devices to form a Local area network (LAN) so if more than one device are connected to a switch the connection will be spread on all devices connected to the switch & they all got connected at the same time through the same connection & that’s the main target of using that piece of equipment.

12. Firmware:
It is a software that is embedded in a hardware device like a router for instance.

Some important terms when you connect to Xbox 360 Live

When we try to connect to live we'll face some terms that may confuse some of us, that's why I added this page to illustrate the main terminologies that may be new to any one.

1. IP Address:
An Internet Protocol Address is a unique address that certain electronic devices use in order to identify and communicate with each other on a computer network in simpler terms, it’s the device address online.

2. DNS:
The Domain Name System stores and associates many types of information with domain names; most importantly, it translates domain names (Like: xbox360liveblog.blogspot.com) to IP addresses (192.168.0.1).

3. MTU:
Which is the Maximum Transmission Unit refers to the size (in bytes) of the largest packet that the router can pass onwards at the same time. The maximum MTU is 1500.
However large packets can block up a slow interface for sometime, increasing the lag on other packets so it’s better to be set to the lowest possible MTU.

4. ICMP:
The Internet Control Message Protocol is chiefly used by networked computers & operating systems to send error messages indicating, for instance, that a requested service is not available or that a host or router could not be reached.

5. NAT:
The process of Network Address Translation involves re-writing the source addresses of IP packets as they pass through a router or firewall. Most systems using NAT do so in order to enable multiple hosts on a private network to access the Internet using a single public IP address, Like when you have more than one device at home connected to a router, so the router using the NAT process will generate an internal IP address that differs from the original public IP address it got from the original connection. Nonetheless, NAT can introduce complications in communication between hosts.

- If the NAT on Xbox Live test is strict that indicates that you most probably won’t be able to access to Xbox Live.
- If the NAT on Xbox Live test is moderate you will be able to access to live but will not be able to join certain game sessions or to hear what other players are saying & that’s an important piece of info as it’s not always the headset faulty so check the NAT first before you troubleshoot the headset.

6. DHCP:
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a set of rules used by a communications device such as a computer, router or network adapter to allow the device to request and obtain an IP address from a server which has a list of addresses available for assignment.

7. MAC Address:
The Media Access Control address is a unique identifier attached to most network adapters. It is a number that acts like a name for a particular network adapter.

In some devices like PC’s it’s called Physical address.

Continue to other terms

DNS Failed on Xbox 360 Live Test

And the reason for this part to fail differs along with the difference of the type of connection you are using as follows:

a. Direct connection to modem:

1. Using a modem you can't connect more than one device so make sure that the only device connected to the modem is the Xbox 360 console.
2. Go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to “System” area then “Network Settings” then “Restore To Factory Defaults" and when it ask you to apply settings select "test Xbox Live"

3. Turn the modem off then turn it back on after couple of seconds, then go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to “System” area then “Network Settings” then "Test Xbox Live Connection".
4. If it still not working, try to get the DNS addresses (primary & secondary) from your PC as mentioned before and set them manually on the dashboard of your Xbox 360 console, then go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to “System” area then “Network Settings” then "Test Xbox Live Connection".

b. Wired or Wireless connection to router:

1. Go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to “System” area then “Network Settings” then “Restore To Factory Defaults" and when it ask you to apply settings select "test Xbox Live"
2. Turn the router off then turn it back on after couple of seconds, by that I mean to unplug it from the wall socket then reconnect it back.
3. If you are using a Wireless connection go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to the "system" area then "Network Settings" then "Edit Settings" then select your wireless settings part down there "Wireless Mode, Network Name,..." the console will automatically then search for your wireless network and when it find it and you select it, it will ask you to enter your wireless key which is called WEP or WPA key - you can find it written on your wireless router or then you need to contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to get it from them - when it ask you to apply settings select "Test Xbox Live".
If it's a Wired connection Just try once more to "Test Xbox Live Connection"4. If it's still not working, set the DNS (primary & secondary) with the same number of the Gateway on the IP settings, then go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to “System” area then “Network Settings” then "Edit Settings" you'll find the gatway on the IP settings put it the same on the Primary & secondary DNS.
5. If it's not working still, then you have to go to your PC and get the DNS Server Address from there as mentioned before, and set it manually on the Dashboard.
6. If it's still not working, you have to contact your ISP or router manufacturer to open or forward the 3 Xbox live ports which are:

• UDP 88
• UDP 3074
• TCP 3074

Or you can check it on www.portforward.com, then go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to “System” area then “Network Settings” then "Test Xbox Live Connection".

c. ICS:

1. Go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to “System” area then “Network Settings” then “Restore To Factory Defaults".
2. Allow the ICS option on the PC as mentioned before and make sure the the "Local Area Connection" then is showing connected.
3. If it's still not working, turn any firewall on your PC off.
4. If it's still not working, try to get the DNS addresses (primary and secondary) from your PC as mentioned before and set them manually on the dashboard of your Xbox 360 console, then go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to “System” area then “Network Settings” then "Test Xbox Live Connection".
5. If it's still not working, you have to contact your ISP or router manufacturer to open or forward the 3 Xbox live ports which are:

• UDP 88
• UDP 3074
• TCP 3074

Or you can check it on www.portforward.com, then go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to “System” area then “Network Settings” then "Test Xbox Live Connection".

If you still facing any issues with this part even after you tried these steps, leave me a comment and I'll get back to you with it's solution within couple of hours.

Xbox Live or NAT Failed on Xbox 360 Live Test

Xbox Live:
If it confirms all the last 6 parts & Xbox live failed or failed to download an update when it reaches to this part that would be an issue with the coming part which is the NAT.

NAT:
If the NAT is not open (Strict or Moderate)
- You have to contact your ISP or router manufacturer to open or forward the 3 Xbox live ports which are:

• UDP 88
• UDP 3074
• TCP 3074.

Or you can check it on www.portforward.com, then go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to “System” area then “Network Settings” then "Test Xbox Live Connection".

If you faced any other kind of troubles with this part failing even after you tried these steps please don't hesitate to leave a comment.

ICMP Failed on Xbox 360 Live test

The reason for this part to fail differs along with the difference of the type of connection you are using as follows:

a. Direct connection to modem:
- You should not experience this issue with this type of connection but if it occurred try restarting the modem, and try the service again after 2 or 3 hours.

b. Wired or wireless connection to router:
- Restart the router, then test Xbox Live.
- Try the service again after 2 or 3 hours.
- Call your ISP or router manufacturer to update the router firmware, then test Xbox Live.

c. ICS:
- You should not also experience this issue with this type of connection but if it occurred try restarting all devices so turn you PC, modem and Xbox 360 console off then turn them all on again.
- Try the service again after 2 or 3 hours.

If you faced any other kind of troubles with this part failing even after you tried these steps please don't hesitate to leave a comment.

MTU Failed on Xbox 360 Live Test

As we said on the important terms before, the Maximum transmission unit is 1500, but for the Xbox 360 it must be set within the range 1364 – 1492.

So please access to the router setting on your PC & set it within the range 1364 – 1492 or call your ISP or router manufacturer to assist you doing so if you do not know how to access to your router settings.

However large packets can block up a slow interface for sometime, increasing the lag on other packets so it’s better to be set to the lowest possible MTU, Which is 1365.

How to get the Physical, IP, DNS addresses or any other connection information from your PC

When you try to connect to live we might need some information even from the PC like to get the IP address from the PC to set it manually on the dashboard of your Xbox 360 console, and to get all connection information from the PC follow these few steps:

- On the PC desktop click "Start"

- Then “Run” & type there "cmd"

- You will get a prompt black screen so type there "ipconfig /all" (take care there is a space between the g and the /) then press "Enter"

- You will get some information about your connection appearing on that black screen, among these information you’ll find all the connection information including: Physical address, IP address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, DNS addresses.

- When you are looking for "Physical Address" get it from your local area connection part, it will look like this 00-E0-98-C1-88-C2

Wireless Network Not Connected

If you are using a wired connection you'll find that part deem and it's not applicable, it's only if you are using a wireless connection and it would be disconnected if you still didn't enter the WEP or WPA key on the "Edit Settings" part on the "Network Setting" on the Xbox 360 dashboard is not set so, we need then to get the key and enter it correctly so it would be connected, also it might be something related to the distance between your Xbox 360 console & your router so even try to put it someway closer to the router even for a couple of minutes to try it.

Well, the WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) key is a security key for your network to prevent any undesired device from connecting to your wireless network (your neighbor’s for example).

You can get this security key from your router manufacturer customer support or ISP (Internet Service Provider) customer support but not from the Xbox 360 Customer support at all.
Then go on the Dashboard of your Xbox 360 console to the "System" area then "Network Settings" then "Restore to factory defaults" it will ask you to apply settings first so click apply settings.
Then go back to the "Network Settings" and this time go to "Edit Settings", you'll find the screen here divided into "Basic" & "Additional" settings.

On the "Basic Settings" part you'll find down there your wireless settings (wireless mode, Network Name.....) so, select that part and your Xbox 360 console will automatically search for your wireless network, then you just select it from the list of networks if it found more than one network, here it will ask you for the WEP or WPA key & when you enter the key it will ask you to apply settings to you choose "Test Xbox Live" & it supposed to be connected then.

If you faced any other kind of troubles with this part failing even after you tried these steps please don't hesitate to leave a comment.

Network Adapter Disconnected

Which is an indicator about the physical connection of the Ethernet cable or the USB cable of the Xbox 360 wireless network adapter so, if it's a wired connection when it fails it means that even the cable is not connected to the port on the back of the Xbox 360 console or not connected to the router or modem or PC at the other side or that basically the Ethernet cable is faulty, and if it's a wireless connection so the USB cable of the Xbox 360 wireless network adapter is not connected to the back of the Xbox 360 console or the wireless adapter is faulty so check the light on the adapter it might not be illuminating.

If you faced any other kind of troubles with this part failing even after you tried these steps please don't hesitate to leave a comment.