How to Use the PSP on the Internet Through a PC

Using the PSP on the Internet via a PC Internet connection is necessary if you want to connect your PSP to the Internet via a wireless connection without a wireless router. The PSP can access the Internet, through a PC, using the Internet Connection Sharing utility built into Microsoft Windows. As long as the PC is connected to the Internet via a dial-up or broadband connection, and is equipped with a wireless card to transmit the signal to the PSP, you can create an Internet connection sharing network.

Sharing the Internet Connection

Open your list of network connections. On the computer, click on the "Start" button then click on "Control Panel." Next, click on "Network and Internet" options and select the "Network and Sharing Center." In the left-hand column of the "Network and Sharing Center," click on "Manage Network Connections."

Share the Internet connection. Right-click on the name of the Internet connection you want to share with the PSP and select "Properties" at the bottom of the dialog box. Click the "Sharing" tab and check the box that reads "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection." Click "OK" to close the "Properties" box.

Start an ad hoc wireless network. Open the "Start" menu and type "wireless" in the search bar at the bottom of the screen. Select and click on "Manage Wireless Networks."

Create a new network by clicking the "Add" button near the top of the window.

Choose the network type. When prompted, click the option to "Create An Ad Hoc Network." An ad hoc network is a computer-to-computer connection over a wireless network. The network must be wireless as a wireless network is the only way to connect a PSP to the Internet.

Set up the network. In the "Network Name" box, type the name you want associated with the network when connecting the PSP to the ad hoc connection. You can configure security settings by using the "Security Type" and "Security Key" boxes; the PSP can use either of the encryption types configured on the PC. Click "Next" to finalize network setup.

Connecting the PSP

Start your PSP by holding down the "Power" button. Remove any games or UMD movies in the drive as you want the PSP to remain on the "Home" screen.

Open the "Settings" menu. Use the left and right arrows on your PSP to navigate to the "Settings" menu. Scroll down to the "Network Settings" option at the bottom of the screen.

Select "Infrastructure Mode" to configure a new connection. This will let you connect to the PC Internet connection as you would any other wireless hotspot. Press "X."

Configure a new connection by selecting "New Connection" and pressing "X." Next, select a name for the connection; this name is used only by the PSP. Type the name using the on-screen keyboard and select "Enter."

Find your ad hoc wireless network. Select the "Scan" option, at which point the PSP will search for all wireless networks in range. When the name of the wireless ad hoc network you created in Windows appears, select it using the arrow keys and press "X."

Enter the security key. If you configured a security key when configuring the ad hoc network in Windows, enter it using the on-screen keyboard. Press the right arrow to continue and enter the security key.

Finalize the connection. Select "Easy" under "Address Settings" and press the right arrow key. The next screen reviews the settings for your wireless connection. You can press the right arrow to continue past this screen. Press the "X" button to save your settings and test the connection. Launch "Internet Browser," in the "Network" menu, to verify network connectivity.