Your PC must be good enough to run any games you want to play pretty well, working over a LAN can stretch the capabilities of your PC a bit, you don't need a super PC, but I wouldn't like to think of anyone using anything under a 400mhz PC with 3D graphics. Personally I use an AthlonXP 2700+, 1Gb Ram and a GeForece FX 5600. These are pretty respectable PC's now, so don't worry if you have got this.
Also bring CD's! Any games you have, bring them along! Remember your Windows CD (95, 98, 98 se, ME, 2000, XP). If you have to alter your network setting you will be pretty pissed of if you don't have your Windows CD.
McDonalds is next door! Alcohol will be allowed, from the hotel bar, but don't forget, get drunk and start acting stupid and you will be removed. Taxi's aren't easily available either. Plus you'll get totally thrashed in whatever games your playing :) There is a bar and kitchens at the venue, so you won't go hungry.
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Don't laugh at some of the things suggested, people do actually forget
things that you might think are obvious! Smeg once turned up for a LAN
one weekend without his power cables for my CPU or monitor :) he left
them plugged in at home!
Everything on this list is essential!
Don't be caught out!
| CPU (Central Processing Unit) | This should be working. You also need a network card installed and running. |
| Monitor | No shit! Pack this carefully, it is one of the most fragile things you will be bringing. Packing hints further down. |
| Keyboard and Mouse | Hey, it has happened. |
| Cables! | Another obvious one! You need all the cables for your PC. Power cables for the monitor and CPU, network cables if possible, although we do have loads. Also bring your power extensions! More on this below. |
| CD's | Bring all your games CD's, the CD for your Windows install and I would also recommend all your driver CD's too. |
| Headphones | Due to the amount of noise, speakers are not allowed! Music will be provided, but make sure to bring a set of ear phones along! |
| Money | Takeaways will be an option, plus there is a MacDonald's nearby. And a bar on site. |
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We all love our computers now don't we? Would you chuck your girlfriend
into the boot to rattle around? Would your pet be happy strapped to the
roof rack in the rain? No. I don't think so. Neither would your computer.
The easiest way to pack everything is to throw it into your boot. This isn't a Good Thing (TM). The safest way to pack your stuff is for everything to go into it's original box. This is a Sad Thing (TM).
The best way to get your PC from A to B, without smashing it to bits
is to use your head a bit.
Think your monitor will be OK in the boot? Nope. The best place for
your monitor is the back seat, drape it with a towel or a thick blanket
to stop the screen from getting scratched. My monitor has a nice little
chip missing from the screen and a black mark on the case from it's first
and last trip in a boot. It now lives on the back seat with the seat belt
around it.
Transporting your CPU? These are a lot more resilient than you might think if you remember one thing. Where are your cards? If you are laying your CPU in the boot make sure that the side where they slot into the motherboard is on the floor. The other good place is to slide it between the back seats and front seats, into the rear foot wells. With care full planning we managed to get three computers (a 17 in and 2 14 in monitors included) plus 3 people into a Proton for a 2 hour journey. It was cramped though :)
All the extra's try and bag. You will find it much easier carrying a bag full of cables than an arm full of cabling which wants to fall everywhere.
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Power cables. We all need them don't we? Thinks about it, we have X
number of people, all wanting up to 3 power points.
So what to do? Bring a four way adapter of your own. Don't count on sharing someone else's, you will be seriously pissed if you are kicking ass on Counter Strike and somebody decides to unplug their computer to go home early now won't you? We will try and supply enough points so that you can have a 'mains' extension all of your own to plug into.
Can everyone please bring as many power extension cables as possible? There are loads of sockets, but most of them are at one end of the room!
Have fun!
Food will not be provided! Be prepared!
The hotel we are at has it's own kitchens and bar, and they have a menu available all day. For those of you who prefer a more junk food approach McDonalds is next door.
