Hardware & Power on Ctrl-Alt-GG Care

Monitor Refresh Rate Checks

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

It happens every LAN. Someone plays all weekend on 60Hz without realizing it.

Check your settings

Right-click Desktop > Display settings.
Scroll down to Advanced display settings.
Check the Refresh rate dropdown.
Set it to the highest available number (144Hz, 240Hz, etc.).

Monitor goes black when game starts?

If the game launches but the screen says “Out of Range” or goes black:

Overheating: Symptoms and Quick Fixes

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

A room full of gaming PCs generates heat. If your rig starts acting up, check temps.

Symptoms

Warning

High temperatures can cause these issues:

PC Won't Start

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Transport vibration often loosens components. Don’t panic, it’s probably just a loose cable.

First, check Known Issues.

What do you see? Find your symptom and jump to the relevant section.

Peripheral Swaps

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Left your mouse at home? Keyboard died? There is a solution.

Borrowing

Ask around: The LAN community is helpful. Your neighbor might have a spare mouse in their bag.
Organizer Desk: We have a “Lost & Found” box that sometimes contains unclaimed (or donated) cables and peripherals. Ask us.
Discord: Post in #general or #support: “Looking to borrow an HDMI cable for 2 hours.”

The Rules

Return it. If you borrow something, bring it back immediately when you are done.
Take care of it. Do not rage-smash a borrowed keyboard.
Say thanks. An energy drink or chocolate bar is the standard exchange rate for a life-saving cable.

Mark your gear

There will be 100 black cables and 50 identical mice on the tables.

Power Limits and Extension Cables

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

We have enough power for everyone, but only if you follow the rules.

The Limit

You get TWO (2) power outlets.

What Not to Plug In

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

These will cause problems for everyone. Don’t bring them.

1. Speakers

Use a headset.
Nobody wants to hear your game, music, or voice chat.
This is non-negotiable.

2. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

They draw huge current when charging.
They cause harmonic distortion on the power grid.
If power goes out, it goes out for everyone. Your UPS won’t save the LAN.

3. Network Gear

No routers.
No switches.
No access points.
Plugging these in can create IP conflicts, loops, or rogue DHCP servers that take down the whole network.
If you need more ports, ask staff.

4. High-draw appliances

Kettles, toasters, mini-fridges, heaters.
The venue power is for PCs, not kitchen appliances.

What to Bring (and What Not To)

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Pack for the setup you actually want to play on. Missing one cable can waste half your Friday.

Bring

Your gaming PC (desktop or laptop)
Power cable / charger for everything
Monitor (if you’re bringing a desktop) + the right video cable (DP/HDMI)
A power strip (you’ll have limited wall outlets)
Mouse, keyboard, mousepad
A headset (speakers are not allowed)
Ethernet adapter if your laptop has no LAN port (USB-C/USB-A)
Any small extras you rely on (controller, DAC, spare batteries)

You don’t need to bring an Ethernet cable - we provide those.

Hardware & Power on Ctrl-Alt-GG Care

Monitor Refresh Rate Checks

Check your settings#

Monitor goes black when game starts?#

Overheating: Symptoms and Quick Fixes

Symptoms#

PC Won't Start

Peripheral Swaps

Borrowing#

The Rules#

Mark your gear#

Power Limits and Extension Cables

The Limit#

What Not to Plug In

1. Speakers#

2. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)#

3. Network Gear#

4. High-draw appliances#

What to Bring (and What Not To)

Bring#

Check your settings

Monitor goes black when game starts?

Symptoms

Borrowing

The Rules

Mark your gear

The Limit

1. Speakers

2. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

3. Network Gear

4. High-draw appliances

Bring