XBox 360 questions

I have a feeling I'm being a bit blonde about this but if anyone can help and not mock I'd appreciate it...

Right problem no1. Connecting 360 to internet. I've a Premium by the way, not that that should make any difference. Here's what I did. In this order: Turned off router (well, gateway) and PC and 360. Joined 360 to gateway with ethernet cable, PC already joined to gateway. Turned them all back on in whatever order the little book said. Went to Xbox Live bit of the dashboard. It said I had to install an update. I said go right ahead. It said 'UPDATE FAILED'. And the reason is to do with Xbox live. It is blatantly not connected to anything. I could've used string instead of an ethernet cable for all it cared. I have a silver membership etc.

Anyone know of anything stupidly obvious I missed out? I have a feeling it's not really time to throw my gateway out in a fit of rage. I think I just didn't do something. But I can't figure out what it is.

Problem no2. What format do movies have to be in to watch them off the 360? All mine are Windows Media player types and nothing...

 

Right, have you tried another ethernet port on the router?
Does the corresponding LED light on the router light up when the ethernet cable from the xbox is connected?
Have you opened the ports that the xbox needs to connect? Info available here - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/908874/en-gb?sd=xbox
Have you run a connection test in the network settings section?

If the answer to all of these is yes then post back and we'll go from there.

 

It works! Thanks. I hadn't done the port thing. Success! Now... What format do movies have to be in?

 

Never mind.

 

Lol glad you got it working.

I've set mine up to stream from Windows Media Player within my computer - works a treat and I suggest doing it. One thing that Microsoft have done well....