Client Machine Setup for Arena

This section explains the steps needed to install the Arena (formerly Haze) Client on the client machines. The Haze installer can be downloaded at https://freeroam.springboardvr.com/download.

Client machines (VR Backpacks/Streaming PCs)

To install the launcher client application, run the installer on each client machine and choose ‘Client (VR Backpack/Streaming PC)’ in the ‘Select Components’ part of the installation. The Haze Client application is configured to launch automatically when starting up the machine.

Installing a client machine

This section specifies how to install a client machine. Installing this way provides you with a clean install, without any unnecessary programs running in the background. It sets no password so Windows automatically boots to the desktop, but changes a group policy setting so it can still be accessed via Remote Desktop.

Windows Installation
- Use clientx as user name (changing x to a number, e.g., 'client1')
- Disconnect network cable
- Skip connecting with internet
- Select United States country with English language, US keyboard, and your time zone
- Click customize and disable everything
- Skip Cortana
- Don't enter a password

Group policy (only available on Pro editions of Windows and higher)
- Open Local Group Policy Editor (search for 'group policy' in start)
- Disable: Computer Configuration/Windows Settings/Security Settings/Local Policies/Security Options/Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only
- Disable: Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Network/Windows Connection Manager/Prohibit connection to non-domain networks when connected to domain authenticated network
- Disable: Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Network/Windows Connection Manager/Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain
- Go to Administrative Templates/All Settings
- Enable: Turn off Windows Defender
- Enable: Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage
- Enable: Do not display the lock screen
- Enable: Do not display the Getting Started welcome screen at logon
- Disable: Configure Automatic Updates
- Disable: Allow Cortana

Settings
- Set the UAC slider all the way down to 'Never notify' (search for 'uac' in start)
- Go to 'Edit power plan' (search for 'power plan' in start)
- Click 'Change advanced power options'
- Edit power plan settings to never sleep or turn off anything, set minimum processor state on battery to 100%, set low battery level to 2%, critical battery level to 1%, reserve battery level to 1%
- Disable 'Microsoft OneDrive Setup' and 'Windows Security notification icon' startup (search for 'startup apps' in start)
- Allow remote desktop (search for 'Allow remote access to your computer' in start)
- Disable window animations and background (search for 'Turn Windows animations on or off' in start)
- Disable Occasionally show suggestions in Start (search for 'start' in start for Start Settings)
- Enable file sharing (search for homegroup in start)
- Right click taskbar -> Search -> Hidden
- Right click taskbar -> Disable 'Show task view button'
- Remove all quick start buttons in start menu (right click on each/return)
- Explorer window -> View -> Enable 'File Name Extensions' and 'Hidden items'
- Explorer window -> View -> Options -> Change 'Open File Explorer to' to 'This PC'
- Rename PC (search for 'computer name' in start). Rename to the same name as the username of the PC, which you entered during the installation of Windows (clientx, changing x to a number, e.g., 'client1'). If you forgot which name you entered, you can see the name by opening a file explorer window, navigating to C:\Users and examining the names of the directories.
- Restart the PC
- Connect Wifi

Programs
- Install video card drivers (don't install GeForce experience) http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

For OpenVR
- Install Steam: https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/SteamSetup.exe
- Install SteamVR: https://store.steampowered.com/app/250820/SteamVR/
- Disable 'Enable VR Dashboard' in SteamVR settings -> Developer
- Enable 'Enable headset while computer is locked' in SteamVR settings -> General
- Disable 'Use SteamVR Home' in SteamVR settings -> General
- Create desktop shortcut to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR\bin\win64\vrmonitor.exe

For Oculus HMD
- Install Oculus

For Optitrack
- Disable firewall or OptiTrack server can sometimes not send frames