XBOX Live help am I doing this wrong?

Basically after trying to connect to xbox live for weeks! I still cant figure out how to do it. Im using a dsl modem, and according to the xbox website I dont actually need a router I just need to plug the ethernet cable into the back of the modem and into to my 360 port at the back. Ive just realised my modem actually connects to the internet using a usb lead running from the back of the modem to the back of my computer tower! but there is an ethernet port on the modem aswell, someone told me I have to install something to able my modem to connect to the net using an ethernet cable instead of the usb lead.. is this correct?

It has the option of ethernet? Well if its a modem and not a router then you can only use EITHER the usb or the ether net to connect your device to the internet not both.

Unplug it from the pc and plug it into the 360 via an ethernet cable. Dont try it with a usb cable, the 360 doesnt support internet access via usb connected modems it will only work through ethernet.

well if you dont have a router, you can only have the modem connected to one device at a time. Cant be running internet on the PC and xbox at the same time. You probably need to unplug the connection to the computer and then plug the Ethernet cable from your modem to your xbox, and restart the modem. At least thats what you have to do with cable internet when you dont have a router, never bothered with DSL myself.Wrecked69