HOW-TO: Access the Xbox harddrive over a network from windows computers My Network Places

Prerequisites
Before you can access your Xbox harddisk-drive via My Network Places, you will have to have your Xbox connected to your computer's network and have a network already set up. There are many ways to connect your Xbox to your network, it all depends on how your home network is set up. As there are many setup configurations that are possible, it would be simpler to either Google for information or follow the instructions that (probably) came with your computer. If you need further help setting up a home network or getting your Xbox connected to your existing home network, the contact info for the author of this article is at the bottom of this page for your assistance.

Setup Instructions
First, on your computer click the "Start" button. Then navigate to "My Network Places". On the left hand side of the window that pops up you should see an option for "Add a network place". Click on that. On the next window that pops up ("Add Network Place Wizard") click the "Next" button. You will most likely be given one of two choices; "MSN Communities" and "Choose another network location". Select "Choose another network location" and click the "Next" button. In the "Internet or network address" textbox, type "ftp://user:pwd@ip", without the quotation marks. Note that you would replace "user" with the ftp username for your Xbox (most likely it will be "xbox"), replace "password" with the ftp password for your Xbox (again, most likely it will be "xbox"), and replace "ip" with the ip address of your networked Xbox. In the next textbox that you are presented with, type the name that you wish to give this network place (most likely something along the lines of "My Xbox"). Then click the "Next" button and then the "Finish" button. Now, when you click on the start button in windows and then click on the "My Network Places" link, you will have an icon representing your available connection to your networked Xbox.

In Windows XP: Double Click on "My Network Places"

Under Network Tasks, select "Add a Network Place"

In the window that appears, click "Next"

In the next window, select "Choose another Network Location" and click "Next"

In the Internet or network address dialog box, type (without the quotes)

"ftp://xbox:xbox@THE_IP_ADDRESS_OF_YOUR_XBOX"

Replace THE_IP_ADDRESS_OF_YOUR_XBOX with the real IP address of you XBOX.

You will have something like ftp://xbox:xbox@192.168.1.200

In the next window, give this new Network Place entry a name which makes sense to you and select "Next".

Select next in the resulting window and if you leave the default checkmark in "Open this Network Place when I finish.", you will see the entry point of your XBOX's ftp server in the window which opens.

Now you can upload and download from your XBOX without using an ftp application!

Contact information for further assistance: Email or MSN messenger: phlsphr420@hotmail.com, AIM or YIM: phlsphr42. I can also usually be found in the XBMC irc channel.