LAN Advice

To make the most of your LAN experience, here's a collection of hints, tips and advice we've gathered from various players and staff over the years.

These should help ensure you have a stress free, enjoyable LAN.

This is intended to be a guide only and should not be used for technical insight. This guide includes points that may assume you're competent with your PC hardware.

Pre-LAN Organisation

Pre-LAN Organisation is the key to a stress free LAN. There are many things that can be done before you set off to prevent any problems that may occur once you are at the LAN.

PC Maintenance

We want you to spend the maximum time possible enjoying the LAN, and not having to tinker with your PC or console. To help with this, here's a few checkpoints to go over a few days before the event.

  • Remove unwanted programs and games

    Use "Add/Remove Programs" or "Programs and Features" to remove any unecessary software and games from your PC. Software running in the background may negatively affect your gaming experience.

  • Scan your system for viruses and malware

    Performing full anti-virus and malware scans of your machine before the LAN ensures that you won't inadvertantly effect other player's machines on the network.

  • Scandisk & Defragmentation

    Ensure speedy disk access by running Scandisk and Defrag while away from your computer at some point before the LAN.

    Note, SSD drives don't benefit from disk defragmentation. Doing so may decrease the lifespan of your drive.

  • New Hardware

    To save any downtime at the LAN, it's always best to install new hardware a few days or weeks prior to ensure everything is working correctly. Internet access may be limited, so you shouldn't rely on it to download drivers.

  • New Software

    Also, any new software should be installed prior to the LAN to ensure it doesn't conflict with your games or provide a negative experience.

Getting your stuff to/from the LAN

We've all done it. We've left the house, got a few miles down the road and realised we've forgotten something. GameOn will have very limited resources available, so to help we have constructed a checklist for you to go through as you get your equipment ready.

Checklist

These are considered the most important things when attending a LAN

  • PC Base Unit / Latptop
  • Power Cables
  • Monitor (if applicable)
  • Monitor Cables (if applicable)
  • Keyboard and Mouse
  • Headphones
  • 4-Way Surge protected extension
  • Sleeping equipment
  • Change of clothes
  • Deodarant
  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste
  • Food & Drinks
  • Labels (to avoid confusion when packing up)
  • Installation media for your OS
  • Installation media for your games
  • Drivers for your hardware
  • Money for food and offsite shopping

Packing your PC

Ideally, the best way to transport your kit to the LAN is to place it back into the original packaging where possible. It's designed to transport your goods safely and is a perfect fit. However, we realise that's not always possible, so the following tips should help.

  • Tips & Tricks

    Place your monitor in the boot of your car with the screen facing the back seat. Place a pillow or blanket between the monitor screen and back of the seat and push the monitor right up against the seat. This ensures if you have to brake hard, the monitor hasn't got far to go.

  • Place your base unit either on the bottom of your boot flat (on the side if it's a tower). As long as the components are screwed in, there should be no problem with things working loose.

  • Use your proposed LAN bedding and pack as much as you can around the monitor and base unit.

  • If you don't have a boot or much room in the boot, there are two options depending on your circumstance:

    • Place your monitor on the Front Passenger seat with the screen towards the back of the chair and place the seatbelt around it.

    • Place the monitor on the rear seat, screen towards the back and place the seat belt around it.

  • The base unit can be placed in the foot well behind the drivers or passenger seat. In any case, ensure that sufficient padding is surrounding the system.
Warning Don't leave your system in your car overnight or in the early afternoon, extreme temperature changes can damage your system.

At the LAN

So you're there, now what? PLAY SOME GAMES! And enjoy yourself. Relax and kick-back from all the real-world shenanigans.

General

Some sagely advice from regulars

Lock your PC

Get into the habit of locking your PC as you step away from it (Windows Key + L), unless you have a penchant for dealing with some of the more creative ways that people can prank your PC. Reversed wallpapers, locked icons, out-of-character Facebook updates... etc.

Bring some spares, if you have them

If you happen to be of a particularly clumsy disposition, you'd do well to bring spares of things like mice, keyboards and headsets - just in case you accidentally break one by spilling a beverage on it. If you're particularly worried, bring some cheaper peripherals instead of your main kit.