Need Help with Your Game System?
You want to experience the fun and excitement of playing your favorite PS3™ or XBOX 360 games online. Are you familiar with Shockwave Games, HP Games, Microsoft® Games, or other computer games online but not sure where to begin with getting your gaming system online? Whether you have a PS3, XBOX 360, Wii™ or a multitude of other possible game systems, getting them set up for online gaming is pretty straight forward.
Let's begin with what you will need to get connected.
- A high speed Internet connection (Cable internet or DSL are the two most common).
- A router if you are connecting more than one device to the internet like a computer as well as your game system. The router can be either wireless or not. Some Internet providers have a modem/ router combo and others provide just a modem. If you are unsure please contact your Internet provider and they will be able to help you with that.
- If setting up wirelessly you will also need your Network Name/ID/SSID, Security Type and Security Key
Each gaming system is slightly different with getting it set up on the Internet. In this next section we will go over the basics of connecting each of the major systems. Other systems that are capable of network gaming will have similar setups but may have a few different steps involved.
PS3 (Play Station 3)
The PS3 comes with a built-in network capability for both wired and wireless connections. This makes connecting easy as you do not need any additional hardware.
There are two ways to connect the PS3 to the Internet. The first and easiest is to directly connect an Ethernet cable from the back of the router to the back of the PS3. By default the PS3 will detect and configure the Internet connection for you. If you connect the cable to the router and you cannot get online you may need to contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) as they may have custom settings you will need to enter. This is pretty rare and almost is never needed. You can verify your connection by navigating your PS3 Menu to Home> Network Settings>Settings>Internet Connection>Test Connection
The second way is wireless. If your home network is already set up for wireless, we can configure the PS3 to connect to your current network. To do this, we will need the settings for your wireless network (Network Name/ID/SSID, the security type, and key if it is enabled). If you do not know your network settings contact your ISP or whoever setup your network to get these. Once you have the information needed, navigate your PS3 Menu to Home>Network Settings>Settings>Internet Connection Settings. Press the X button and a popup message will appear stating “the internet connection will be terminated” go ahead and click yes. Next select Wireless and click Scan. After the PS3 finishes the scan you should see your Network in the list go ahead and select it. Then by pushing the right arrow in the controller you will then select the correct security type again push on the right arrow. Now you will be able to input your networks security key. When finished click on the done button and continue to the test connection.
You are now setup online and ready to get out there and play on the Play Station network, have fun.
PSP
The Play Station Portable (PSP) comes with WiFi capability. Please refer to the wireless setup in the PS3 as the menu and navigation for the PSP is the same as it is for the PS3. The PSP is not set up to be connected with an Ethernet cable. Wireless is the only option you will have so if your network is not setup with a wireless router you will not be able to connect the PSP.
XBOX 360
Connecting the XBOX 360 with an Ethernet cable is very similar to the way you connect the PS3. You will connect one end of the cable into the back of the router and the other end into the back of the XBOX 360. The XBOX 360 will automatically configure the internet connection for you. You can test your connection by navigating to the System Menu>Network Settings> Test XBOX Live Connection. If it passes then you are all set. If you find that you are not able to connect to the Internet then you may need to contact your local service provider for the custom setting you will need.
Connecting your XBOX 360 wirelessly you will need to purchase a wireless gaming adapter. There are many to choose from all will work, but Microsoft does make one specifically for the XBOX 360. Once you have your wireless adapter follow the instructions that came with the device to get the wireless gaming adapter set up properly to work with your XBOX 360. Once you have everything connected and you have your wireless settings (Network Name/ID/SSID, the security type, and key if it is enabled) navigate the menu on your XBOX 360 to System>Network Settings>Edit Settings>Basic Settings>Wireless Mode. Here, you should now see your network name listed. Select it and it will open the security page where you can enter your security key. Once you enter your security key, click done. The Apply Settings page will now appear. Go ahead and select Test Xbox Live. If all goes well, you will see a list that will tell you that you are connected and other settings are confirmed. You may also get a message saying that an update is available. This is ok; go ahead and perform any updates necessary. You are now ready to play online. One side note is, that to play most Microsoft games online, you will have to purchase a subscription. These can be setup via the Xbox live menu with a credit card or you may purchase a Subscription card at various retailers like Walmart, Target, online, or anywhere video games are bought and sold.
Wii
Connecting the Wii with an Ethernet cable will require you to purchase Wii LAN Adapter. Once you have purchased the adapter, follow the instruction that comes with the adapter to connect the adapter to you Wii system. After everything is connected turn on the system and navigate to the following: Wii Options>Wii Settings>(click the arrow to the right)>Internet>Connection Settings>Connection 1>Wired. Click OK to test your connection. If everything goes well, then a box will pop up saying your connection is successful. And it may ask to perform an update. Go ahead and do the update it is safe and usually necessary.
The Wii does come with a built-in wireless adapter so you will not need to purchase any additional hardware to connect to your wireless network. To connect to your wireless network get all of the necessary wireless settings (Network Name/ID/SSID, the security type, and key if it is enabled) turn on your Wii system and navigate to the following Wii Options>Wii Settings>(click the arrow to the right)>Internet>Connection Settings>Connection 1>Wireless Connection>Search for access point. Click OK select your Network ID then it will ask you to enter your security key do so and click done. Then it will ask you if you want to save these settings, select OK. Then click OK to test your connection. Again if all is setup correctly then you will get the connection test was successful and it may prompt you to do an update just click yes and after the update you will be ready for online gaming.
Nintendo DS\DSi\DS Lite
Connecting the DS series of game systems to your network is only available if you have a wireless network setup. If you do you cannot connect your DS to the network. Make sure you have all of your wireless settings (Network Name/ID/SSID, the security type, and key if it is enabled). Then on your DS navigate the following: select the Wrench icon>scroll over to Internet and select>select Connection Settings>click on None by Connection 1>click Search for an Access Point>Select the connection with your Network ID>enter Security Key. Your connection is successful if the lock by the Network ID is unlocked. You are all set.
The internet is still in the early stages for playing games via online. Free shockwave games have been around for years and have grown in both graphics and complexity, and playing games for windows live is nothing new. These and others (like HP Games and Microsoft games for the computer) pale in comparision to what a XBOX 360 or PS3 can bring. So the ability to get online and play people from around the world makes this the wave of the future.
We hope this guide has you up and playing as we speak, but if you are still having trouble setting your game system up or you would like to have some personal assistance with getting your system setup please do hesitate to call us we are here for you.
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