Okay, so you are thinking of buying an Xbox 360?, Take my advice, for I have been an Xbox 360 owner for nearly a year now:
PART ONE: CAN I USE IT TO IT'S POTENTIAL?
Before you even think about buying your 360, you need to consider your Internet accessibility:
Do you have a connection that needs wires, or are you wireless? What is your maximum speed?
Wired is preferable, because 30 metres of cable for the 360 costs about 1/5 of the wireless adapter, and you get a short amount of cable with the 360 premium and the 360 elite. If your Internet speed is less than 512kb/s (Note that this is not actual speed, this is the speed your ISP said in the catalogue) If you just use 56kb/s dial-up, then you have two options: you can forget buying your Xbox as you miss out on the online experience which is the best bit, or you can get broadband. Please Note that some Providers are incompatible with Xbox Live (Microsoft's online gaming service). Check with your provider to see if you can access Xbox Live, and don't feel stupid asking it, they get asked this all the time. Now that you have all the connection requirements, It's time to move on to part two: Buying the Xbox 360.
PART TWO: WHICH 360 SET SHOULD I BUY, AND SHOULD I BUY MEMBERSHIP?
Okay, so you've got suitable internet access to access the internet, so now you should decide which Xbox 360 package to buy. The Core Package is the basic Xbox, containing a wired controller, Xbox Live Silver membership (more information on membership later on) console and wiring (power supply and AV output cables), but no ethernet cable to connect to Xbox live. I would advise against buying the Core Pack, because to get it up to the level of the standard Xbox 360 costs nearly as much again as you paid for the 360 in the first place. Then you get the Normal 360 (also referred to as the premium) which has all the features of the core 360, and also has a 20GB hard drive (be careful when buying a used one, some of them only have a 15GB hard drive), wireless controller (i'd suggest investing in some rechargeable type AA batteries and a charger for them, the wireless controller eats batteries), a headset which you plug into the controller (not included in Mexico or Oceania, but you get a 360 media remote instead), one month's free gold membership (we'll come to that later), HDMI output cables with every brand new Xbox 360 as well as the AV cables included with the core pack. The hard drive enables you to play some games from the original Xbox (with the right upgrade from Xbox live), as well as Xbox Live arcade games (downloadable off Xbox Live) . Then you get the Xbox 360 ELITE. This 360 costs about 1/5th MORE than the normal 360 it is also painted black, while the other two which are painted white. It also has a massive 120GB hard drive. When you are buying your 360, you should purchase a pre-paid Microsoft 12 Month gold membership card, and some Microsoft points (preferably the biggest amount you can buy over-the-counter), if these are not already included in any offers your local videogame shop does. Also buy a wireless adapter IF you use wireless internet. DO NOT BUY GOLD MEMBERSHIP OR MICROSOFT POINTS ONLINE! There is a bug in Microsoft's System which means that when you enter your information, it stays on Microsoft's databases forever, even when you delete it, making you very open to hackers stealing your details!
PART THREE: GETTING SET UP
Move Your Xbox 360 close to your TV and plug the A/V or HD into the applicable socket on your TV and plug the adapter into the mains. Now plug the power cable from your Xbox into the adapter and turn it on. Before turning it on, plug your ethernet cable in to your router (if your router is too far away you will need a longer length of cable. Use RJ45 ethernet cable, all good electrical stores should have it), or if you have wireless, plug the wireless adapter into the USB socket at the back of the 360. Now before turning on, make sure you have everything as you like it. If you don't like it, change it around. If the distance from Xbox to router is going to change soon, DO NOT plug in the ethernet cable, as it will try to get you to waste your free 1 month gold membership when you start your 360. Turn on your 360 by either pressing the on button or holding down the big round button on your controller. Follow the instructions, and choose the name of your first profile on this console. This will be your gamertag when you go onto Xbox Live, however you can change it at anytime before you go on to Xbox Live. After you go on Xbox Live, it costs 800 Microsoft Points to change your gamertag. Now that your console is set up (making sure that your ethernet cable or wireless adapter is connected), and you are happy with the positioning, it's time to go on-line!
PART FOUR: XBOX LIVE AT LAST!
Make sure you have at least one Xbox Live game by now. (If you don't go back to the game store and buy one, preferably one with online multiplayer capabilites) Go to the Xbox Live section of the console's menu (accessible by turning on the console with no disc in) and select connect to Xbox Live. Fill out the forms, making sure to select the free membership when it comes to payment. If it says your gamertag is in use, try other ones till you find one that suits you, then go back to the console menu and change your gamertag to the one you found. Fill out all the forms again, and you are ready to go. Put in your game and it should say in your game's manual how to connect to Xbox Live. Make sure that your headset is plugged securely in your controller and connect to Xbox Live. The people online will be able to help you out if you ask them using the headset.
THE AUTHOR'S GAMERTAG CAN BE FOUND AT: http://card.mygamercard.net/DreadZer0.png
THE AUTHOR IS ALWAYS WILLING FOR A RACE ON ONE OF HIS GAMES, HIS GAMERTAG IS: DreadZer0
THANK YOU FOR READING MY GUIDE
