Does unplugging a monitor from a machine that is turned on hurt it?

[episodic]

Conversely, does plugging a monitor into a machine that is on hurt it? I really don't need the expense of a kvm switch

 

[GLeeM]

I've switched one monitor between two boxes when I am troubleshooting a friends computer, with no problems yet.

If the computer is networked to another one of your computers, maybe you could "monitor" a DC program with a monitor application.

There is a "Select Computer..." command on the BOINC Manager. What does that do?

I know that FAH LogStats can monitor F@H on a computer on a network.

 

[episodic]

I was only going to do it for the intial setup and then occasionally.

 

[RaySun2Be]

I've been doing it for years, no adverse affects. Didn't have the $$ for a kvm, so I would just plug/unplug the monitor between each cruncher.

 

[networkman]

The monitor(unless touchscreen) is an output device only - you can plug it in and unplug it as often as you like with impunity.

As for damage, you may run the risk of bending pins in the video connector cable if you're not careful. I speak from experience.

 

[Starrider]

I have a rack of 12 crunchers in my basement and I use 1 monitor and a USB keyboard and mouse that I switch between them as needed. I normally use tight vnc to monitor them over my network from my laptop, but if one of them hangs up I need to look at it with the monitor. I found that a cheap monitor extention cable lets me reach all of the machines, and if the pins get bent or broken I just toss out the cable and use a new one. Much cheaper than a new monitor or the pain of replacing a hd15 plug on thr monitor.

 

[Rattledagger]

Originally posted by: GLeeM
There is a "Select Computer..." command on the BOINC Manager. What does that do?

If you're running BOINC Manager on computer A, and computer A is listed in a text-file called remote_hosts.cfg placed in the BOINC-directory on computer B, computer C and so on, you can choose "Select computer" and type in the name/ip of computer B or C and so on and monitor/control them from computer A.
With the BOINC Manager you can only look on one computer at a time, if you don't start multiple instances of the Manager.

If you uses example BoincView instead you can monitor/control all your computers at once... but one disadvantage is BoincView is using more cpu-time, and also have some bugs of its own...

 

[Pokey]

Looks like your questions been answered...........
But switching plugs didn't hurt my rigs......................just be careful with the video plug.

I too used to switch one monitor keyboard and mouse among four computers until I got lazy and sprang for a four way kvm switch. But that wasn't cheap and I almost didn't do it when I got to the check out................... :Q

 

[mondobyte]

Why aren't you using VNC ... as in http://www.tightvnc.com/download.html ... which is free and OS independent.

I've used this with great success and it eliminates the need for physically moving connections or using a KVM!

You will also notice that it works on Linux and Windows so whatever the monitored/monitoring machine is ... this will work!

 

[Mark R]

Generally, it isn't an issue with modern devices - which are protected against power spikes and static electricity (to some degree).

10 years ago, it was certainly a recognised risk that unplugging/plugging devices when powered on would damage things. I know a couple of friends who managed to blow graphics cards this way.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

I wouldn't recomend it with a dvi supplied monitor, any analog connector is fine. (I suggest turnging the monitor off first though, it helps you dacs sync better when you plug then monitor back in...at least it does with my video card anyway)

 

[ICXRa]

Another vote for VNC here although I have never had a problem switching between them why bother?

 

[networkman]

I use UltraVNC at home for a number of my "PCs"; I have an 8port Compaq KVM(4100) that I use with my DL360s, DL380s, and 1850R.

 

[JC]

Originally posted by: networkman
The monitor(unless touchscreen) is an output device only - you can plug it in and unplug it as often as you like with impunity.

About that...what about plug-n-pray? There must be some info sent back to the computer

That aside, I've never had a problem hot-plugging monitors either

 

[MDE]

Nah, it's fine. I do the same thing with my two PCs when trying to troubleshoot network issues.

 

[EULA]

KVMs aren't too expensive... you can get a pretty simple one for ~$20

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: JC

Originally posted by: networkman
The monitor(unless touchscreen) is an output device only - you can plug it in and unplug it as often as you like with impunity.

About that...what about plug-n-pray? There must be some info sent back to the computer

That aside, I've never had a problem hot-plugging monitors either

The monitor and PC can send data back and forth... that's how your PC discovers what resolutions the monitor can support, for one. It's called DDC (display data channel, IIRC).