most cost efficient alternative to xbox 360 wireless adapter

as everyone knows microsoft makes a huge amount of bucks for its wireless adapter which costs a hundred big ones..>=[

now i understand tht its drivers are preinstalled on xbox but isnt there any way to install any other apadters drivers?

what other methods could i use to get a connection to my 360 that cost less and are almost of same functionality(little loss in quality)?

i googled the problem and didnt find much easy to understand options so could u please be detailed in how to setup any suggestions u provide..=/

NOTE: a wired connection is best since i feel i have lot of possible interference between xbox and 360. do walls degrade connection?(microwave might be close enough when on to degrade a lil) and how doess it really work? is it just like a straight line of internet being transmitted to my 360 or a sonar/radar like effect hoping to hit something?

thnx for any help i get..=D

 

I think a wired connection is always a better/more reliable choice if you dont mind running the network cable (plus the tranfer speeds are better).

You'll need a Router and a cable thats long enough.

Here's a page that breaks is all down for you.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/xbox.mspx#1

It also looks like you can use a different wireless adaptor. Try googleing this:

3rd party wireless adaptor xbox

Good luck

 

You can use a network bridge, or get a cheep router, load some custom firmware and use that as a bridge to your wireless network. A Linksys WRT54G can be found for about $20. Pick up one of those, load some custom firmware, and you're set. Or if you have a laptop, use a wired connection to the laptop and then then the laptops wireless capabilities to get your 360 online. If you don't feel like messing with all that, buy.com is supposed to have the Wireless adapter on sale 30% off. I think it starts today, just keep checking the link.

Personally, I use a wired connection. I have a 100ft Cat 5 I bought off eBay for $10. Works great and I don't mind the cables running down the hallway.