Need Help With My New Xbox!

Um Hi Everyone, I Just Got A New Xbox 360 Arcade For My Birthday And Im Not Really Familiar With 360s Or Forums So I Was Wondering If Anyone Can Help Me And Tell Me What Accesories I Should Buy ASAP:

1) For Fun (Such As Controllers Etc.)

2) For Protection Of My 360 (So It Doesent Overheat Etc.)

3)So I Can Also Go On Xbox Live (Ethernet Cable Etc.)

Plus I Have A Few Questions:

1)Can I Get Updates For 360 Without Gold Membership?

2)Can I Download Demos From The Marketplace With Only Silver Membership?

3)Do You Have To Pay Realy Money To Download Demos Or Is There Some Type Of Points System?

I Appreciate Everyone Who Will Take The Time To Help Me Out.:)

The previous poster answered your questions pretty well. I second getting the hard drive. You may think you won't be downloading stuff, but you will want to at some point. Just being able to download a game to your hard drive so that the XBOX runs quieter(and cooler) is worth it.

DON'T buy any aftermarket fans or devices to keep it cool. They can do more harm than good.

DON'T input your credit card online or through XBOX. buy prepaid cards on Amazon, or local stores.

If you want to play online, you'll need a GOLD membership. If you don't care about playing online, a SILVER membership does everything else that the GOLD membership does (plus a slight delay in downloading new demos).

Congrats on your new XBOX. You'll have some fun with it!

For Fun: Buy at least two controllers, BUY A PLAY AND CHARGE OR A CHARGE STATION, have enough rechargeable battery packs(comes with play and charge).

Protection: YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD open area, put it side ways, and NEVER EVER TIP UR 360 WHILE ITS ON.

For Live: Buy a ethernet cord duh, buy a gold membership(if you buy the "special" ones it useally comes with a head set and an extra month of gold), you can get updates for sliver but cant play online.

YES

YES but not new releases

YES there called Microsoft points $1.25 is 100 points 12.50 is a 1000, etc.

First Of All I Want To Thank Everyone Who Took The Time To Answer.

And Second What Do You Mean Aftermarket Fans?Does This Mean Fans That Arent From Microsoft?

Also What Do I Need Microsoft Points And Prepaid Cards For?

Once Again Thank You

1)The best way for it not to overheat is give its short breaks. Every 2 hours or so give it a 10 minute break.

2)Yes you can use Xbox live on Arcades just hook it up to the internet.

3)yes you will get updates as long as you have silver membership or if your hooked to the interent.

4)Yes you may download a variety of game demos, music and videos with a silver membership.

5)there is a point system to buy demos but you can also use regular money if neccesary.

6) I personally think all the accesories neccasary are 4 controllers and maybe a stearing wheel but guitars, drums and mic's for Rockband are definetly neccasary.

You do not need a Gold Membership to download things off of XBL Marketplace, Silver suffices. However, to play online games you require a Gold Membership. And see if you can get a 60 (or 40?) gigabit hard drive, I did think they were being sold now. Because in the long run, 20gb doesn't get you anywhere. Downloading original xbox games takes up a lot of room, and if you want to install your games on to your hard drive...well...it adds up.

Buy a set of rechargeable batteries

Any popular brand is good, just make sure they're rated 2500 or higher

Do not fall for the scam of any sort of charge station or charge controller or charge charger

First Of All I Want To Thank Everyone Who Took The Time To Answer.

And Second What Do You Mean Aftermarket Fans?Does This Mean Fans That Arent From Microsoft?

Also What Do I Need Microsoft Points And Prepaid Cards For?

Once Again Thank You

NewXboxOwner

Um Hi Everyone, I Just Got A New Xbox 360 Arcade For My Birthday And Im Not Really Familiar With 360s Or Forums So I Was Wondering If Anyone Can Help Me And Tell Me What Accesories I Should Buy ASAP:

1) For Fun (Such As Controllers Etc.)
Not sure what the arcade does and doesn't come with.
But I'd definently get a headset, and a HDMI cable if you have a HDTV.
Also get a HDD, installing games into the HDD makes the console not sound so damn loud.

2) For Protection Of My 360 (So It Doesent Overheat Etc.)
You don't need to buy anything.
Just keep the console in the horizontal position and in an open space where the hot air can vent out and cool air can get in.
Do NOT buy the intercooler. You'll just be doing more harm than good.
Also isntalling games on a HDD will allow the console to not have to spin the disk drive 24/7 which would result in less heat in the console.

3)So I Can Also Go On Xbox Live (Ethernet Cable Etc.)
Well mostly depends on what kind of router you have.
If you have a hardwired router, then you'll just need a cat5 cable.
If you have wireless, then you're gonna have to do some research on what recievers you can use. Most people just cave and buy the 'official' wireless receiver made by MS. I just used a hardwired router though.

Plus I Have A Few Questions:

1)Can I Get Updates For 360 Without Gold Membership?
Ya, I'm pretty sure all update/patches are free even with a silver membership.
Don't mistake updates/patches with DLC(Downloadable Content) though. DLC usually costs money. But there are some free DLC out there.

2)Can I Download Demos From The Marketplace With Only Silver Membership?
I'm not 100% sure, but I heard that users with silver memberships gets demos a week or so after release, dunno if this is truth or lies.

3)Do You Have To Pay Realy Money To Download Demos Or Is There Some Type Of Points System?
Demos are free, along with game trailers.
You have to buy MS points to dl DLC and other stuff though.

I Appreciate Everyone Who Will Take The Time To Help Me Out.:)

And also as a heads up. Don't mistake Gamer Points(the points you get for unlocking achievments) with Microsoft Points.
I've heard of people thinking they can buy stuff off of Marketplace with the Gamer Points.

NewXboxOwner