need help for setting up lan cafe. please help thx

C

coolazn

Gawd
Joined
Jun 5, 2005
Messages
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i was wondering what program i should use for the computers like so i turn on a computer turn off a computer and stuff.

also for the games do i need to by like 20 box of the same game just for 20 computers or is there a way to get it cheaper and stuff.

also how many computers should i biuld.

so far i have 10

specs are

amd 64 3000
512mb ram
6600gt
200gig har drive
17inch lcd moniter.(tight space so ya)


should i biuld more?

is this spec good for gaming?



o yes im also close to a highschool. do you think i will make any money off this?
 
I have no idea if you'll make money. It depends on the demographics of your area. One suggestion I have is to have sponsored LAN parties, so you can give out prizes and stuff and that will attract people in to play.

AFAIK, there are no "volume" discounts on games, so you will need a valid license for each copy. How you choose to implement them is up to you.

For the computers, I would suggest faster processors, at least 6800GT video cards, and at least a gig of RAM. People will be less likely to play on computers that are not as good as theirs. 80GB drives should be fine, no need for 200GB. 19 inch monitors don't cost much more than 17 inchers, and aren't that much bigger physically, so I'd go that route.

Just as a warning, you'll need to promote your place heavily to have enough traffic to make it profitable. You're going to have to provide some kind of advantage that people can't get online or through the occassional LAN party. So think hard.
 
wow thats like another 1000 for each computer.

anyone got any sugestions on how to make this cafe a great cafe?

5 on 5 cs matches?

please help
 
also whats up with the servers?

do i need one if i plan to have like 20 computers?

i got new specs on the computers

Case
THERMALTAKE TSUNAMI VA3000 ALUMINUM CASE 4X5.25 2X3.5 5X3.5INT NO PS SILVER MIRRORED W/ WINDOW
(VA3000SWA) (sku: 12360)
Processor
AMD ATHLON 64 3500+ PROCESSOR S939 VENICE 2.2GHZ 512K L2 CACHE 90NM RETAIL BOX
(ADA3500BPBOX) (sku: 14417)
Motherboard
ASUS A8N-E MOTHERBOARD ATX S939 NFORCE4 ULTRA DDR PCI-E16 PCI-E4 2PCI-E1 3PCI SATA RAID GBLAN SOUND
(A8N-E) (sku: 14268)
Memory
SAMSUNG 512MB PC3200 DDR400 184PIN W/HEAT SPREADER OEM
(SAMSUNG3200-512M-SP) (sku: 14164)
IDE Hard Drives
SEAGATE BARRACUDA 7200.7 200GB SATA HARD DRIVE 8MB 7200RPM 8.5MS OEM
(ST3200822AS) (sku: 12302)
Floppy
1.44MB BLACK 3.5IN FLOPPY DRIVE
(BLACK-FLOPPY) (sku: 6139)
Video Card
ASUS EXTREME AX800XL/2DTV RADEON X800 XL 256MB 256BIT DDR PCI-E DUAL DVI VIVO VIDEO CARD
(EXTREME AX800XL/2DTV) (sku: 14461)
Power Supply
OCZ OCZ45012U-450W MODSTREAM POWER SUPPLY PCI-E READY W/ EZMOD CABLE SYSTEM & BLUE LED FAN
(OCZ45012U) (sku: 13610)
Keyboard
MICROSOFT MULTIMEDIA KEYBOARD & OPTICAL MOUSE OEM (WITH SYSTEM ONLY)
(K96-00001) (sku: 8484)
Speaker
CREATIVE SBS 2.1 350 SPEAKERS SYSTEM 20W BLACK
(51000000AA355) (sku: 10961)
19" Monitor
SAMSUNG DYNAFLAT 997DF 19IN MONITOR 0.25MM 1920X1440 SILVER
(LE19ISBBQ) (sku: 12442)





do i need to biuld a server?

and how do i use it?
 
you dont need a server if you only plan on letting people play on regular cs:s, ect.. already present in the game. but if you wanna host a privat lan party for your customers, then yes you will want to build a server. Also if you plan on having 10 people playing say, cs:s and your server running, your gonna definatly want a nice internet connection. ie T1,2,3. also a nice switch, roughter will be a necesity also
 
There used to be quite a few LAN places near my Highschool. These things were PACKED, during and after school ;) . You can make some good money, a few places near where I live charge like 3.00$ an hour or 20.00$ a day. I think they make more cash on food than they do gaming, though.

Also, get shitty beige cases. You dont want to attract attention to your investment. You dont need a 200 gig harddrive, you need somthing like 60s'. Id throw the speaker idea away, and get headphones aswell.
 
Yea I was going to say, nix the speakers. You could probably go 3200+ to save some cash, that's a rather sweet spot and will still tear it up in games. Could consider X800XL over 6800GT. I'm a 6800GT fan, but price/performance ratio of an X800XL for like $280 is much better. Maybe look at some twinMos or crucial ram, btw heatspreaders are not a good thing. Why floppy drives? Just trying to save you some cash.

Regarding the server, go all out on it. Nothing pisses people off more than shotty gameplay or nothing registering due to a lacking server.

idk about the rest of the country, but near me, CS is still THE game... despite it's age. Having tournaments with prize money, even if not much...will pull in lots of attention fast I bet.
 
I don't beleive the comps have to be super computers as long as the atmosphere is over the top.

I say do soem ambientlights without a drop down ceiling.

indImage.jpg


And instead of those fulgly lights invest in some nice rail lighting systems...but they cost aout $100-400 each rail

But you'll save on your electricity bill, won't need as much bulbs since they are hollogen, and they look cooler.

Also put some colored lights facing upwards on the walls to giv eit a cool feel

A nice dark brown ceiling color and tan walls looks ncie with theis setup with the indstrila type ceiling and lights.

THis is well worth it.
 
Buckus said:
I have no idea if you'll make money. It depends on the demographics of your area. One suggestion I have is to have sponsored LAN parties, so you can give out prizes and stuff and that will attract people in to play.

AFAIK, there are no "volume" discounts on games, so you will need a valid license for each copy. How you choose to implement them is up to you.

For the computers, I would suggest faster processors, at least 6800GT video cards, and at least a gig of RAM. People will be less likely to play on computers that are not as good as theirs. 80GB drives should be fine, no need for 200GB. 19 inch monitors don't cost much more than 17 inchers, and aren't that much bigger physically, so I'd go that route.

Just as a warning, you'll need to promote your place heavily to have enough traffic to make it profitable. You're going to have to provide some kind of advantage that people can't get online or through the occassional LAN party. So think hard.
Click to expand...


Ignore half of this
120GB minimum and maximum, a fraction more expensive than an 80GB HDD for 40GB more.

6600GTs fine. If people are going to a LAN cafe it's to have fun with some buddies without the hassle of setting one up themselves, not to play a machine that's better than thiers. Ambience and that.

17 inc LCDs are preferable because A) cheaper B) response times quoted are closer to factual response, whereas 19" are less accurate C) why the hell shoulf he pay for another two more inches on each screen for inferior performance?

TBH, nearly ever LAN cafe i've been to has had like one or two copies of each game, with each machine sharing a CD key; it means you can't all play on the same server for games newer than CS/Czero, but tbh most of the time they'll be playing on LAN networked games anyway which you don't need individual CD keys for.

The most imnportant thing is to look after it all; there's nothing worse than sitting down to play a game of CoD only to find that it's 5 patches behind the latest and the only other people playing it live in Ukraine or bloody Uzbekistahn

Skin said:
There used to be quite a few LAN places near my Highschool. These things were PACKED, during and after school ;) . You can make some good money, a few places near where I live charge like 3.00$ an hour or 20.00$ a day. I think they make more cash on food than they do gaming, though.

Also, get shitty beige cases. You dont want to attract attention to your investment. You dont need a 200 gig harddrive, you need somthing like 60s'. Id throw the speaker idea away, and get headphones aswell.
Click to expand...

Yeah, get Jeantech Phongs for your systems, great cooling for a fifth of the price of those cases.
Also, there's nothing wrong with the CPU/GPU, keep it at 3200+ max
 
how about cafe managment software.

also how do i keep people from download stuff or deleting or modifying the software on the computers.

how much computers should i biuld. i was planning 10-20 when school starts again but for now i have 10. i can pack up to 50 computers but id ont think i would need that much.

also would i make more money if i biuld like some rooms where they could do team battles?


what should i do about security. i dont want anyone stealing stuff.

ill have all the computers like on the top or hanging from the top.
 
also what kind of hub and switches should i use?

i need stackable ones. are all hubs and switches stackable? how do you stack them. so you can have like 5 16port hub and switches run together?


how much should i charge in canadian currency?

there is a very big lan 100-200 in a city close to me that charges $2hour and 5 for the whole day. in canadian currency. but those computer are very crappy. it lags on battlefield 1942. should i charge more?

also should i renovate the biulding?
 
Demographic information please.

What is average income? Do you get high schooler foot traffic? Have you built a system before? Have you built a LAN before? PICS on the building - inside/outside.

Any strange zoning laws you could get hit with for snacks, drinks, letting kids in during school hours?
 
The only suggestion I can make is to not do it in the first place.

Startup costs are huge. 10 or more systems at $1000 each, a building with enough electric to run all of them, food to sell, insurance, etc....

Don't forget, you can't just go to Wal-Mart and buy Half Life 2, Battlefield 2, Quake 3, etc... You will get your ass in jail quicker than anything. You need to buy a rental license through iGames to legally "rent" the games to customers. They are NOT cheap. And the last I heard, Valve was not licensing out any more Half Life 1 games, which is what draws in about 90% of your customers.
 
SarverSystems said:
The only suggestion I can make is to not do it in the first place.
Click to expand...

Probably the best idea. This is a HUGE undertaking with a very low success rate.
 
wow didnt know that.


how much should i start charging?

i have 2 rooms for 5vs5 for cs or other co op games. and i have 20 computers for other games and stuff. also have 2 xbox for playing. how much should charge for the xbox?


i built the 5vs 5 room so far and 10 computers. almost done.

also how long before i should sell the computers?
 
coolazn said:
wow didnt know that.


how much should i start charging?

i have 2 rooms for 5vs5 for cs or other co op games. and i have 20 computers for other games and stuff. also have 2 xbox for playing. how much should charge for the xbox?


i built the 5vs 5 room so far and 10 computers. almost done.

also how long before i should sell the computers?
Click to expand...

So dude - let's get this straight:
You actaully have your place of business and you are remodelling the inside?
You have 30 computers ready to go?
You have a business license? You have accounting software and you are prepared to remit taxes to the government?
Tell us that you have sorted out all of your previous questions about game licensing etc. before all of this investment.
 
Step #1: Get an accountant.
Step #2: Get a lawyer on retainer.
Step #3: Contact iGames about licenses.


Let us know after you've gotten that far.
 
wow you sound about as organized as my friends with ADHD...well i got adhd but....I can think stuff through...most the time


Ok seriously are you a bussiness major? Do you know anybody who's started bussinesses?

Tell us what you have:
1.building
2.permits
3. computers
4. lincenses?
5. etc. etc.

Where you gettin your cash from? Loans? How much? Did you inherit money from a dead uncle???
 
:eek: the only thing i didnt do so far is contact igames. everything else i did. y a lawyer?

whats the point?
 
the cash. well lets just say. im sort of rich. never spent much on nuthing except my wrx. had a 911gt3 but sold it.

all the cash are hard earned money. i even live in a apt now. its called saving up. and also the whole family pitched in and 2 other of ma friends.

also won the lottery so ya. dont want to brag about it.

i was looking to spend less then 100 000 for the computers and security.

should i hire some security guards like 2 or 3. since the place is kind of big. and i dont want and bad things happening in the shop.


should i get a projector for the xbox or just a normal tv?

i was plannign to have 3 xbox.

2 rooms for team plays.

might biuld more later on.

also if i do earn cash from this. there is like a store for sale big enough for like 6 rooms for team plays. i was planning on buying that. but not enough cash.
 
biulding is like as big as a school gym i think. but not that high.

i got permits already. a friend is also helping on this since he owned a lan cafe. but had no buissness. there where like freakin 4 lan cafe near his cafe. so ya.

the specs i bumps down.

amd 64 3200
1 gig ocz ram
17inch sony lcd
6600gt (10 computers have ati x800xt in them for team play)

i suspened the computers with alot of wires and made it neat. so i know no one is going to crack open a case a steal anything.



also its a part arcade too. all arcade machines are my friends so we split up the cash from the machines every month.


the only thing im concerned about is the games. i have to contact the company to get permits. i sent a email too steampowered already,

hope i can make cash from this. i dont want to lose money. im in no mood too. since this whole thing cost me to sell my car and house and move into a apt and get a wrx. which i love now. dont have to clean up as much anymroe :D
 
My friend...

The only thing I can say is... Hire someone who has done this succesfully in the past. The money you will spend on them might save you the entire business.

The hardware? Easy. Listen to people here. Software? Same.

There are many pitfalls to any business. This business has more. Hire someone-- and make sure they were somewhat successful in their previous employment.

-Skystalker
 
you will need to get you a Server....this server needs to be your Domain Controller..not a CS Server.

If you have a LAN that big that anyone will be using than you need to secure it..

A Domain controller will stop them from installing, deleting, and hacking your boxes.

you will need someone who knows how to setup and maintain a LAN. It will also allow people who don't use the same machine twice to have the same save games on any machine they login to. Providing that the game saves are in "My Documents"

shoot...you let me in your cafe with no domain controller and I will own each and everyone of your computers...accessable from my house..

with a domain controller you can control when each user logs on. and how long they login for...
 
if those are the computer specs for ur lan cafe, :eek: , im pretty impressed.

The cafe by my house http://www.stoopids.net , has these computers

Enermax CSX305 Case
ABIT KD7 KT400, 8x AGP, DDR Motherboard
AMD Athlon XP Processor 2000+
512mb PC2700, 333mhz DDR
40GB WD400BB 7200RPM ATA/100
16x DVD/48X CD-ROM
Ti4200 128mb 8x AGP
Windows XP Professional
Plantronics Audio 90 Headset
Viewsonic E90fb 19" .25 dp Monitor
Logitech MX300 Optical Mouse
UPS Blackout/Brownout System Protection

My freind told them there computers were a POS and his emachine at home was better. The guy got so pissed at him, he told my freind they were top of teh line GFX cards...my freind laughed..

What detours me from these lan cafe is the extremist. If I want to go play some games with my buddies and hang out and have a good time. I dont want some nerd who lives at the lan cafe to tell us hes gunna p00n us and yell at us. Which happened last time my freind went to that stoopids place.
 
As a ex-internet-cafe employee (I helped set the place up), let me be the first to say that you will need some serious help, people-wise; you'll probably want at least:

  • hardware enthusiast
  • network guru (someone with Cisco qualifications is handy)
  • a 'pro gamer' who knows how stuff needs to be set up right
  • someone who runs lan parties

My main piece of advice is to keep the computers as clean as possible; things to consider include:

  • Some sort of windows domain controller for handling logins/logouts (most internet cafe software sucks)
  • Avoid custom skins, models (etc) for games (maps/levels excluded) - stick to official addons and expansion packs
  • For game maps (I'm thinking for counter-strike in particular) make sure you have the same maps as all the competitor internet cafes in your area. If people arrive to play cs_stupidboxmap and you don't have it, there's going to be hell to pay!
  • If people are playing games a lot, restart the computer between customers.
  • Consider regular re-imaging of the computer's hard drives (we did ours once a week). This way you can relax security on them, but still keep them fairly clean of cheats/spyware/pr0n dialers.

By the way, don't expect to turn much of profit either - internet cafes are not terribly lucrative ventures. Our internet cafe broke even after two years.

Opening an internet cafe is a very serious undertaking and will require a lot of time, effort and money. Relying exclusively on hardforum is NOT a good idea ;)

PS: Remember to buy plenty of extra headphones/keyboards/mice! (and not crappy a4tech ones :))
 
Just thought I'd throw my $0.02 in.

What have you done as far as networks go? Another poster mentioned the ability to control your computers from home. Without a decent network setup, this is entirely possible. Seeing as to how you're going to need switches anyway, I'd recommend buying some Catalyst switches from CISCO and either hiring someone to set them up for you, or learning how to do it yourself (You'll wanna learn about VLANs).

The machine specs look good. People on this forum definately know how to set up a cheap/decent gaming machine.

For security, at LEAST have video cameras set up that write to off-site (or on-site in a locked closet) tapes and a security system. Your insurance company can tell you more about this.

And don't forget - FOOD is where it's at. Head down to Sam's Club and pick up a vending machine or two, and keep it well stocked. In addition, hot dogs, sandwiches (Don't laugh! Ham and cheese has kept me going more than once) and beer (If you have a license) are great additions.

You'll definately need at least one server. I'd highly recommend getting a domain controller, and maybe another server for a website (If you think you'll want one.) in addition to your CS:S/BF2/whatever gaming server. A domain controller doesn't have to be a big, fancy machine. Nor does the website server. Pour as much money as possible into the gaming server, though. 50 people connected to one machine kinda stresses that machine :)
 
Theres a program called DriveShield+ that will stop people from installing or changing settings i believe. Every reboot restores the PC to the way you had it. Smart Computing August 2005 has an article on it.
 
hity645 said:
Theres a program called DriveShield+ that will stop people from installing or changing settings i believe. Every reboot restores the PC to the way you had it. Smart Computing August 2005 has an article on it.
Click to expand...

There's a couple solutions like this. However, software = weak. If I were you, I'd buy the hardware-based devices. I installed about 200 of these little devices called "Centurion Guards" into machines on my old college campus. They're great. You can low-level format the hard drive, and it won't do a thing. As an added bonus, there's a little keyhole on a pci-card that you install. Turn the key, and you can save settings. This is great if you want to download maps or something. Turn the protection off, download, turn it back on.
 
how about deepfreeze?

anyone herd of that?

my school has one. but i dont do computers. mostly work on mac g5 now.
 
anyone know where i could get Centurion Guard or drive shield or deep freeze for free like the full version. i tried bittorent but could not find it. and i dont want to waste a couple of hundred bucks on a peice of software.
 
coolazn said:
anyone know where i could get Centurion Guard or drive shield or deep freeze for free like the full version. i tried bittorent but could not find it. and i dont want to waste a couple of hundred bucks on a peice of software.
Click to expand...

One...CG is a piece of HARDWARE...

Two...it sounds a whole damn lot like you're asking for help in obtaining illegal copies of software for use in your business...
 
what i ment was i dont use the school computers. they suck too much to be used.

o well. im testing witch one i like best now. prb buy it later on or keep on unstalling and reinstalling the software :p
 
Sorry, but I scream BS.

Going back and forth from one point to another point, you don't make sense and nor does your story. Won the lotto yet you want to pirate a piece of hardware. Won the lotto yet, you sold your house and car to start up a LAN Cafe and moved into an apartment. Did I get that right -- you added on/remodeled in two whole days? Reading back all of your posts, you sound like a twelve/thirteen year old having some fun on the forums. I do like, however, that you never revealed any information about the location or answered any other questions these fellow [H]'ers asked you. Where's the pictures.. where's the answers? And, post much? 125 posts in 23 days.

Excuse my french, but;

Come the fuck on.


-R
 
sorry but i do not get you.

if you want proof i will give it to you.

not everyone wins alot from lotto just to tell you.

and im not a big spender. i limit the amount of cash i need. except for gaming.


when school starts again. ill be glad to poste pics up for you to look at.

you already know how exspensive it cost to open a cafe this big. also i keep extra cash just incase i lose money.
 
also im not even done yet. i have a small part of the place setup just so i can get some eairly cash. i havent started building yet. im still drawing out the layout. and planning.
 
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