Does unplugging a monitor from a machine while on hurt it?

[episodic]

Conversely, does plugging a monitor cord into a machine that is powered on hurt it?


I don't want to drop money for a kvm when I only have to do this once a month

 

[CrispyFried]

Its not a good idea. The pins connect in random order, (hotplug devices always connect ground 1st) and it tends to "shock" the electronics.

You can get away with it .. maybe.. but youll almost for sure damage it at some point.

 

[Demo24]

lol, I do it all the time


though granted its normally on machines at work so I dont care about them

 

[theMan]

done it once before. i didnt have a problem.

 

[jfrog]

Never had a problem here...

 

[Gurck]

I've done it tons (VGA) & had no problem. I've heard of people having problems doing this with DVI however.

 

[Dr X]

No problem whatsoever. I've done this countless times on various monitors, doesnt have any effect on them at all.

 

[w00t]

ive done it never had any problems.

 

[sandorski]

Done it many times too. No need to worry about it.

 

[akugami]

Did this many times. Never had a problem with it. Did it with DVI as well, not as much but never had a problem with it.

 

[Bv3]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Done it many times too. No need to worry about it.

 

[Fisher999]

Originally posted by: DEMO24
lol, I do it all the time


though granted its normally on machines at work so I dont care about them

No wonder some companie's overhead is so high and they end up having to lay-off workers....... no one cares about the companies's belongings !!!

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, You got a bunch of good answers, but here is my 2 cents. There are no raw voltages in the Video cable only signal levels. There should be no damage done by plugging or unplugging the monitor. I have done it many times. No problem. Jim

 

[Zepper]

Actually if your video connector on the card and the monitor cable connector are made properly, then the SHELL (ground) will connect first so it is fairly safe to do with the monitor off when you make the connections.
. I do know one thing you never want to connect/disconnect with the PC powered and that is PS/2 connections on kbd/mouse. I've seen and heard of plenty of those blowing. It's usually just the PS/2 5V line fuse and is easy to fix for a techie, but may be beyond many end users.

.bh.

 

[nweaver]

I blew my mobo with PS2 removal..I move the monitor cable sometimes. Why not use a terminal type program like VNC?

 

[samgau]

If you have 2 winXP pro boxes... just remote desktop onto the second.... I have a usb kvm which is kinda slow so I do remote desktop all the time.... If you have xp home or any other flavor of windows you can use vnc.... if you are using linux/winxp home and winxp pro, linux has a nice remote desktop client...

 

[gsellis]

Video, no. PS/2 devices, yes. Everything else outside the case, no.

Only PS/2 attached devices are dangerous. PS/2 mice have been known to short the port/mobo.

Inside the case is a different matter (PCI slots, memory, chips, etc... DUH)

Edit - and PS/2 devices was awhile ago. Things may have changed. I have seen dead IBM Model 30s and 55s from hot mouse plugins.