Tutorial is in the bottom half of the post, if you want to skip my story 
This post is an update on my last Xbox 360 post, where I talked about using a Bridged connection to get connected to Xbox Live.. Well me being me I had to keep trying to used what I was told I could, that being ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) because before this wouldn’t work for me.
While I was using the bridged connection I kept loosing Internet over and over again and the only thing I was able to pin this down to was the bridged connection.. as this was the only change I had made to my Internet in the time frame.. anyway that’s a long story and it turns out that NTL aka Virgin Media where the cause of my issue with intermittent Internet.
Once all this was sorted and my Internet was fine and I found out what my problem was.. and you are going to laugh your arse off, nether the less I’m going to let you in on my what was causing my stress… wait for it… I feel so embarrassed about it!
I have a Mac address on the Xbox a manual one! That I put in for (cough) some reason… and because of this I was unable to use ICS so the first, very first thing! you should do if you are having issues setting up ICS with your Xbox I would insist that you check that all your Xbox network settings are set to Automatic or default meaning you don’t change a thing from the basic settings and then try setting up your ICS and everything should be ok like it is for me now.
Lets get you connected then using ICS rather then Bridged.
First Navigate to:
Start > Network > Network and Sharing Center > Manage Network Connections.
Now that you are in network connections make sure that there are only two icons in here that being 1. Wireless 2. Local Area Connection, these are the only two connections that should be there
Now go into the properties of the wireless connection and make sure you have unchecked “allow other network users to connect thought this computers Internet connection” Uncheck the box and click OK
Now reboot the computer
when you are up and running again go back to:
Start > Network > Network and Sharing Center > Manage Network Connections.
Enable Local area connection if its not all ready, go to the properties and double click “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” with will open the properties, ensure that “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically” are both checked! then click OK.
Now go to the properties of the wireless connection, on the sharing tab check both boxes and click OK.
go to the properties of the local area connection once again and open up 4 (TCP/IPv4) again and you should now see that’s its changed to
ip 192.168.0.1
subnet 255.255.255.0
default gateway -empty-
and that use the following DNS server addresses is now checked.
This should now allow you to connect to xbox live with via the Ethernet cable from your laptop to your xbox.
If anything above is not what I’ve said then recheck/redo until you get the same results because they are what will get you connected.
Important: You do not need a Crossover cable, a normal run of the mill ethernet cable will work fine. I only say this because I’ve come over alot of people saying you need a crossover cable when you don’t, I’m not sure if this was the case with older Xbox’s but I can asure you its not the case with a new Xbox 360.
How to Fix “An error occurred while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled”
If you do encounter any issues while trying to set up either an ICS or Bridged connection let me know and I’ll be happy to help you if I can (Time permitting).
Adam Nugent
April 5th, 2008 at 4:49 am
where can you find the ics information
April 8th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
[...] you may need to use and ICS connection instead, Lucky for you I have a tutorial on this to Connect Xbox Using ICS Filed under : Computer, Xbox [...]
July 29th, 2008 at 12:25 am
I’m sorry Dan, I have over looked your comment now for some time, the ICS information can now be found in the above post.
July 30th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
hey,
I’m using windows xp and i tried to enable internet sharing but i get an error message saying ” A lan connection is already configured with the ip address that is required for automatic ip addressing “. pls, i need some help!!!
July 30th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Hi Mo, I’ve never come across this problem before but having done a quick search ive come up with the following link http://www.velocityreviews.com/forums/t55589-wireless-on-winxp-lan-connection-to-pc-wont-allow-sharing-ip-already-in-use.html
Take a look at see if it helps in anyway.
July 30th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
For internet connection sharing (ICS) to work it needs to be able to use the IP 192.168.0.1 if something else is using this IP then you need to change it so that its available for ICS to use. I think the basic idea here is to make sure everything on your network etc is set to automatic not manualy configured ip ranges.
If the link above has not helped or I’ve not pointed you in the right direction check out this google search there are plenty of posts on this error message.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Mate, you are a legend, iv been having so much trouble with this, cheers mate
August 8th, 2008 at 8:10 am
When ever I check both the boxes in the sharing tab and press Ok, I receive a message shortly after wards which says:
“An error occurred while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled”
Any suggestions?
August 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Alex This usualy seams to be an issue with one of the services required either not starting or not being enabled. Check out this solution and let me know how it goes.
The link is going to show you how to enable the services required to use ICS or at least check that there all on and functioning.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Despite following your guide to the letter, my the test always fails on the DNS segment. What’s more, is that the laptop cannot connect to the internet once I have set the sharing up for some bizzare reason.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Irysa, You are receiving the DNS issue from your Xbox because you have no internet access on the computer you are using ICS on. Why can you not access the internet on your computer was error are you reciving? After you make any changes to ICS its reccommended that you restart your computer so the settings can fully take affect. Also I would be a good idea to check your Router settings and make sure that you are using Automatic DHCP settings not manual.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
When you enable ICS, your local area network (LAN) connection gets a new static IP address and configuration, so you’ll need to reestablish any TCP/IP connections between your host computer and the other network computers.
Which means that both
Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
on your LAN connection need to be set to automatic so they can regain internet access,
You may also need to change some internet options (once ICS is enabled)
In Internet Explorer
Tools > Internet Options
Click the Connections tab, and then click Never dial a connection.
Click LAN Settings.
Under Automatic configuration, CLEAR the Automatically detect settings and Use automatic configuration script check boxes.
Under Proxy server, clear the Use a proxy server for your LAN check box.
Click OK and Apply (as required)
Restart computer and retest, Hope this helps
August 14th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I’m sorry, I still can’t gain any internet access on the laptop I am trying to share the connection through after enabling the sharing, despite multiple reboots and trying what you said.
I have one computer that has a static IP on the WAN, could this be affecting it?
August 14th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Upon looking up ICS information is does say this “Do not use ICS on a network with domain controllers, DNS servers, gateways, or DHCP servers. And don’t use ICS on systems configured for static IP addresses.” so it is possible that the static IP could cause an issue. I would suggest either putting that system on Automatic if possible and see if there is a change or try using a bridged connection instead.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I changed that to automatic, still no change. I’ve also tried the bridging method, but the same problem arises again.
I think I’m just resigned to buying a 10 meter Ethernet cable to run through the house.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I really don’t know what will solve this issue, no IP problems are ususaly down to ICS not being installed correct or the automatic settings. I’m sorry that I could’nt help you
If you do however find a solution to this problem I would be very greatfull if you could let me know how you solved it so I’m able to help people with the same issue in the future.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Dude, thank you *so* much. This tutorial was a massive help even to a computer veteran like myself. Networks are definately not my strong point and especially when it comes to Vista. You’ve done a great job in making this easy to follow!
Nice work =)
August 17th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Thankyou so much for the guide been trying for days and this is the best guide. Can finally use xbox live!
thanks again
August 18th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Thank you Greko and Matt, I really appreciate the comments you left. Makes it all worth while when you actualy know that you have helped someone.
August 21st, 2008 at 3:21 am
Your help would be greatly appreciated! When I try connecting Xbox through ethernet to my laptop, which is on a wireless network, I do not have a “share” tab on the Wireless network connections properties. The only message on Microsoft’s site confusingly states that “Sharing tab will be available if you have more than one network…” Would welcome your suggestions!
August 21st, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Hi Peter, What Microsoft mean here by “Sharing tab will be available if you have More then one network” is that if wireless is the only enabled connected in Manage Network Connections then the sharing tab will not be available.
Basically for your sharing tab to appear you need to have the LAN connection enabled, which you may have disabled for whatever reason or possibly your LAN is not even installed.
1 connection e.g just your wireless (sharing will not be available because there is nothing to share with)
2 or more connections and sharing will be available.
Hope this helps
August 21st, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Thank you for the advice but I am not sure what you mean by enable my LAN. If you could elaborate I would apreciate it.
August 21st, 2008 at 4:26 pm
When you go into Manage Network Connections do you see a a Local Area Connection (LAN) if so and you are still not getting the option to Share on your wireless connection your Local Area Connection might be disabled, If you right click on your Local Area Connection and select Enable.
If you don’t have a Local Area Connection it could be that you don’t have the drivers for that device installed in which cause you need to find the right driver for your computer and install the Local Area Connection.
LAN should be there by default on a new system there only reason it shouldnt be there is if you have upgraded the system your self and left out the drivers or you dont have an ethernet connection on your computer.
August 21st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Ooh ok now I understand thank you so much for you help! That was very easy to follow!
August 21st, 2008 at 4:59 pm
No problem
August 24th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
THANK YOU 2 DAYS IT TOOK ME AND WHEN I SAW UR POST IT WORKED U ARE THE MAN!!!u ROCK ILL SUGEST THIS PAGE EVERYONE !!!!!!!THANK YOU!!!
August 24th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
do u have to do this every time??
August 24th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Hi Nik, Glad that it worked for you with out any problems. If you enable internet connection sharing you don’t have to do it everytime, the only time you would have to do it again is if you disable ICS.
August 24th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! It worked perfectly!! I have been trying for days to get this to work! THANK YOU!!
:D 
YOU ARE THE BEST!
August 24th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
+ do you know anyway of keeping the network card on while the laptop is on sleep mode to prevent it from overheating?
Thanks again!!
August 25th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Frank, happy to see everything went well for you. while your computer is in Sleep Mode its not possible to keep your network active the only thing i can suggest here to reduce over heating is.
Change the power options on your computer so that it does not go to sleep, when you are not using your laptop (in the normal sense) but are using it for the xbox connection close all other programs and close the lid this will reduce heat build up.
The other option here is something thats costs only a little is a cooling tray that your laptop sits on, they provide extra cooling fans to reduce the heat on laptops. I have one myself and it cost me less then £10 from ebay.
If you are unsure about how to change power options there is a tutorial on my blog that will guide you on how to change them.
August 26th, 2008 at 1:23 am
Thanks for the help! I will buy one of those cooling trays. I have seen them about before but did not know if it was worth buying, but i will. Thanks again.
-Frank
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:13 am
this just isn’t working for me…ive done all this stuff u have said… :(. I keep getting tht error message but i have put everything to automatical on start up, but then when i try n tick both boxes it still comes up…..
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:32 am
DUUUUDE!!! thanks so much! that worked!! now i can whoop some arse!! and, being in IT, i learned a bunch about networking too!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:03 am
Tom, I’ve not had much luck solving the error “An error occured while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled” in the past as you can see by the comments above, All that I can suggest you do for this error is check the services are running/autamatic, undo any network changes you have done ICS/Bridged Restart your computer then try again.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:47 am
I am getting a message saying I have limited or no connectivity on my lan connection after cahnging the settings to automatic, this causes the xbox live connection test to stop at IP address, any suggestions?
September 4th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Have you diagnosed and repaird the connection? if so what does it say is the issue?
Restart your computer and reset your router, when they both come back on do you have a connection then?
September 4th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
cheers ne way man…gna buy a wireless thing…i hate laptops in general lol!!!!
September 4th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
lol sounds like you could be at the point of no return with your laptop!.. breath in and out
On a serious note I’m sorry we could’nt solve your issue, just hope you don’t any issues with the wireless adapter
September 7th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Tried both bridging, and this method. Bridging gets stuck on the test for MTU, and this one for IP.
Any ideas?
September 7th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Thanks for this mate, i already had my desktop with winXP hooked up and used that connection to play my 360 online but the NAT was only moderate. Got a new latop with vista and decided to use that ( having the computer and 360 on at the same time caused a sauna) but couldnt get it to work as easily. But thatnks to this it did and now i have an open NAT. Thanks again.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:51 am
sorry for my bad english, isn’t my native language
i have followed your guide step by step but it didn’t work, my network connection tells me that my network cable isn’t connected but i have checked my ethernet cable and its connected in both ends.
i’m using vista’ Enterprise if that have anything to say, i really hope you can help me since there arent any shops here that can provide an xbox wireless adapter for me. any suggestions is higly apreciated.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Hi Mads, sorry this is breif I’m pressed for time (fitting my kitchen!) If your computer is saying that your network cable is not pluged in, this is usualy either one of two issues
1. the device you are connected to is not powered on
2. you have your LAN connection disabled
If you check them two and see if you are then successful.
September 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am
I found this information very helpful and no know how to use my laptop to connect to xbox LIVE, however, I was having problems with my ICS. I did recieve the error message “An error occurred while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled” so I followed the instructions to correct this but regardless of this I still get the error message.
Any more support on setting up my wireless laptop so I can finaly have xbox live will be of great help. (I’m not the best when it comes to computers :P)
September 13th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Mate Ur A Legend And I Had Trouble With A Message Saying cant Enable Ics So I Set my Ip And Stuff Manually for LAN So any1 Who Needs Help i can help as i knw wt it like wen u need help cuz it took me ages 2 figure this out
joshuaemildeacon @hotmail.com
September 17th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I have tried everything in both of your posts. I cannot get either to work. The ICS will get an IP address but fails at DNS. I do not know what to do. I have had live working before but now it won’t. Everytime I plug the ethernet cable into my laptop it enables the LAN and disables the WAN. I don’t know how to prevent this. What do I do? Please help.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
ok this is wierd i have it plugged in and everything is enables but my xbox says cannot connect cables and i have tried everything its plugged into my lan and everything is on but it wont connect what do i do
September 24th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Hi,
I’ve been using ICS to connect to Xbox Live for some time now, but I’ve been having problems with my NAT which is strict.
I looked around the internet for some help with this issue but i just can’t seem to work it out….
I was wondering if anyone can help me with this problem. Maybe a guide or tutorial?
Thanks
September 24th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Oh, this might help as well…
My setup
Modem—Wireless Router(Belkin)——Laptop—(ICS)—–Xbox 360
Thanks
September 24th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I’m sorry I’ve not been here much latly, I’m decorating my house, anyway
SumAznGuY try this Problems with your NAT on Xbox Live? Change it!
September 24th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
OK thanks I’ll give it a try
September 25th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I have tried everything in here. Before i could connect using bridging but now i cannot do that or this.
Everything is saying yes its connected, shared etc but my xbox fails at IP
In Ipconfig/all my Lan is the correct number stated above but my internet is slightly different its 192.168.1.101, is this ok?
Also on my lan it says that DHCP is NOT enabled. Is that right?
Many thanks
September 26th, 2008 at 8:39 am
When you are using ICS everything needs to be DHCP enabled, unless you know how to change IP’s manually.
Change your LAN so that DHCP is enabled and see how it goes.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Set the LAN card to configured, now i get limited or no connectivity to the xbox?
September 26th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Oh by the way the xbox’s addess gateway is coming back as 0.0.0..0
That aint right is it?
October 1st, 2008 at 3:18 am
hi i wpuld like to give kuddos to the guy who called you a ledgend…
i would also like to ask this…
when i use ics to connect to XBL… my nate settings are set to moderate can that be changed…
(they are set to open when i use a network bridge tho…)
October 6th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Thanks mate this helped lots! Back to live!
October 10th, 2008 at 12:20 am
what if the ip adress dosen’t work on your xbox
October 19th, 2008 at 4:59 am
This is awsome. U certainly saved 120aud of mine. Good Karma to U…
Thank You again,
Ranga
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:03 am
Just wanted to leave a comment showing my praise for this article…I have been dealing with ICS problems ever since bringing my computer to another house. We had to toggle some settings to get it to connect on that network, but my Xbox back home was never able to connect using ICS again. The process took less than 5 minutes, so simple that I\\\’m kicking myself in the head for not being able to think it myself. Bravo! Thanks!
November 1st, 2008 at 8:44 am
Hi, thanks a lot for this article it was very easy to follow and helped a lot.
A quick question, since i have started using ICS, i find that my internet connection on the wireless laptop is very moody lol. I find that i am disabling the wireless adapter and then enabling. Its frustrating and i never had this issue before i started to use ICS.
Thanks.
November 4th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
brilliant guide mate, however every now and again when I run the ‘test xbox live connection’ it fails at the ‘xbox live’ field and I cannot connect to live. This seems really intermittant (currently happening now!) do you have any ideas what the problem may be?
November 11th, 2008 at 12:25 am
To show you my greatfulness!!!
I have used an HTML photo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(just kidding…. lol)
Thanks so much man,
I owe you BIG TIME.
-Jeremy
November 11th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
im from sweden and i can not understand what to do when it stod
´´Now go to the properties of the wireless connection, on the sharing tab check both boxes and click OK.´´
November 11th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
i have check that 4 (TCP/IPv4) and all boxes stod on address automatically
November 11th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
but when i go to 4 (TCP/IPv4) agin it stod nothing just , , , ,
so i don´t now wata do, im only 13 years old so and don´t now so much but you can explain