Are you tired of wasting time looking for the game case you want to use among all those on the shelf in your bedroom? Well, the solution is very simple start buying and downloading content in digital format directly from the Xbox Live service by installing it on the Xbox 360 hard drive. Although it is possible to install a game on the console using the physical disc, this operation does not allow you to to play without inserting the optical media into the reader. This step is to reduce loading times, to dampen the noise emitted by the DVD player and to limit disc wear.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Connect the Xbox to the Internet
Step 1. Connect the console to the network router using an ethernet cable
The console must be connected to the web to be able to download games and content via the Xbox Live service. This is an obligatory step. In order to do this, you need to have a modem / router that manages the home LAN network, a broadband web connection and an ethernet network cable.
- Connect one connector of the ethernet cable to the corresponding network port on the back of the Xbox 360.
- Now insert the other end of the network cable into a free RJ45 port on the modem or network router (in most cases these two devices are grouped within the same network device).
- If you are using an ADSL modem, turn it off and unplug it from the mains, then also turn off the console and wait about a minute before reconnecting and turning on the modem and restarting the console.
- Test your connection to the Xbox Live service. Press the "Help" button on the controller, access the "Network Settings", choose the "Wired Network" connection type, then select the "Check Xbox Live Connection" option.
Step 2. If you have an Xbox 360 E or S, you can connect it to the internet via Wi-Fi connection
To do this, you need a broadband web connection and a wireless modem / router.
- Press the "Guide" button on the controller and select the "Settings" item.
- Now choose the "System Settings" option available in the "Settings" section of the menu, then choose the "Network Settings" item.
- Select the "Available Networks" option located on the "Network Settings" screen.
- At this point, choose the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to and enter the security password.
Step 3. Connect the original Xbox 360 to the internet via a wireless connection
If you own an Xbox 360 Core or Arcade, you will need to purchase a wireless network adapter in order to connect it to a Wi-Fi network.
- Disconnect the network cable from its RJ45 port located on the back of the console.
- Attach the Microsoft wireless network adapter to the slots on the back of the console.
- Plug the adapter's USB cable into the console's USB port.
- Position the antennas of the wireless network adapter as indicated by the instructions for use, then wait for the green light to turn on.
Step 4. Press the "Help" button on the controller
Select the "Settings" menu tab, choose the "System Settings" option, then go to "Network Settings". At this point, select the network you want to connect to and enter the relative access password.
Method 2 of 4: Download Content to the Hard Drive Through the Xbox Game Store
Step 1. Log into the Xbox Live Xbox Game Store (once called Marketplace)
If you wish, you can purchase one of the countless games on the Xbox Marketplace which is accessible directly from the console's Dashboard.
- To return to the main menu screen, press the "Guide" button on the controller, then press the "Y" button.
- If you are playing a video game, you will need to press the "A" key on the controller to confirm your willingness to leave the current game and return to the Dashboard.
- Find the "Games" tab at the top left of the screen, then select its icon. This will give you access to the Xbox Game Store home screen.
Step 2. Browse the Xbox Game Store content for the game you want to download
Within the Xbox Store you can access downloadable content in several ways. You can use the "Search" function to search for a specific title by name, browse the list of games by category or view those proposed in the list. Choose the approach you prefer based on your needs.
Step 3. Purchase the game of your choice
Select the cover of the video game you want to download, choose the "Confirm Download" option, then proceed to payment using the credit linked to your Microsoft account or using a credit card.
- The price of downloadable content varies by type. Some games may be priced below € 2 (especially in the case of independent titles), but those made by large software houses can exceed € 60.
- Remember that the size of the file to download also varies. Some elements, such as add-on content, can be as small as 100 KB, while full games can be as large as a few GB.
Step 4. Wait for the download to finish
The time required obviously varies according to several factors: the speed of the web connection and the size of the file to download. To optimize your time you can start the download before going to sleep or going to school or work. That way when you wake up or go home the game will be ready for you!
Method 3 of 4: Play Digitally Downloaded Video Games
Step 1. Log in to the Xbox Dashboard
You can do this in several ways:
- If the Xbox is off, turn it on by pressing and holding the "Guide" button on the controller or by pressing the power button on the console (marked with the Xbox logo). Once the console has completed the startup procedure, the main menu screen (called Dashboard) will be displayed.
- To return to the main console menu while playing, press the "Help" key on the controller, then press the "Y" key. At this point, press the "A" key on the controller to confirm your willingness to leave the game in progress and return to the Dashboard.
Step 2. Select the "Games" tab of the Dashboard
To do this, use the controller directly from the main screen. In this way you will have access to the section related to video games. Now choose the "My games" option.
Step 3. Choose the title you want to play and enjoy
Scroll through the list of video games in the "My Games" section until you find the one you want to play. At this point select the relevant cover and enjoy hours and hours of fun!
Method 4 of 4: Install a Game from Its DVD
Step 1. Log in to the Xbox Dashboard
You can do this in several ways:
- If the Xbox is off, turn it on by pressing and holding the "Guide" button on the controller or by pressing the power button on the console (marked with the Xbox logo). Once the console has completed its startup process, the main menu screen (called Dashboard) will be displayed.
- To return to the main console menu while playing, press the "Help" key on the controller, then press the "Y" key. At this point, press the "A" key on the controller to confirm your willingness to leave the game in progress and return to the Dashboard.
Step 2. Insert the game's optical media into the console player and return to the Dashboard
Normally when a game DVD is inserted into the console it runs automatically. If this is the case, simply return to the Dashboard by pressing the "Help" button on the controller. Now press the "Y" key followed by pressing the "A" button on the controller to confirm your willingness to return to the Dashboard.
Step 3. Proceed to install the game
To be able to install the video game inside the optical player on the hard drive of the console, press the "X" key on the controller and then choose the "Install" option. If you are asked to choose the storage device to use for the installation, select the entry for the console hard drive.
Step 4. Wait for the installation to finish before starting to play
Installing an Xbox 360 video game, from the optical media to the console disc, takes approximately 12 minutes. Once the installation is complete, don't take the disc out of the console player and start playing.
Remember that installing a game on Xbox 360 using its DVD does not allow you to play it without inserting the disc into the console's optical drive. This is a procedure to optimize the gaming experience to reduce loading times, limit the noise emitted by the console and reduce wear on the disc
Warnings
- Most of the downloadable content is paid. You can use a Microsoft prepaid credit card or gift card for your purchases.
- Be careful when downloading content from Xbox Live as they take up valuable space on the console's hard drive. Before making a download, always check if you have enough disk space to complete it.
