LAN parties in the 2000s were filled with strange and wonderful experiences that seem bewildering now. From not being able to get a Windows 98 SE CD key at a LAN facility to the chaos of multi-round tournaments, these memories are both unique and amusing. Modifying your ATX case with a huge illuminated power button made you stand out, and having a PC with a window in the case gave you credibility. However, attending a public LAN with a larger hard drive than others could result in theft. Using a crack that generated malicious traffic could lead to a forced Windows reinstallation. These memories capture a time when LAN parties were a mix of excitement and quirky challenges.
https://thomask.sdf.org/blog/2023/09/09/memories-from-old-lan-parties.html