• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

help resolve debate: is pulling comp plug same (electrically) as reset button?

T

TheWart

Diamond Member
my roomate and i got into an argument over whether it is worse for someone (say if comp hangs on shutdown) to hit reset switch or just pull the plug (literally) on the back of the psu. neither of us are electrical engineering majors, but i have heard from technicians that pulling plug is bad, and my mobo manual says not to do it (i think). my roomate contends that there is no difference. please help us resolve this, as technical as you wish, and possible websites/literature in support of what you say (not necessary, but would be appreciated).

 
Reset button just resets the MB. Power is still supplied. Pulling the plug could mean a voltage spike that could possibly damage your components. Though the likely hood of this happening is low, but still a possibility. When a comp locks I try holding in the power button for 5 seconds. If that doesn't work I resort to the reset switch and finally the old pull the power plug routine.
 
Reset button is definitely the preferred way. The reset button goes to a reset signal pin (used to be on the cpu, might be on the chipset nowadays). This does not interrupt the power, but causes the CPU to begin executing the bios boot code. This may result in loss of data because of buffering in various caches through out the system (hard drives, cpu cache, etc). Next best solution is using the computer on/off button. Pulling the plug (which can cause nasty spikes as plug prongs make and break contact several times on the way out) is the worst.
 
Interesting... while we're at it, where would flipping off a surge protector switch fit in? I would guess that it would be equivalent to hitting the power button - either way you have power loss and the possibility of residue current. But this is definitely not my strong point...
 
You may want to try ctrl alt delete first as this will sometimes shut down the problem software. This is the preferd way.
Reset button would be next.
Turning off the surge suppressor is the same as pulling the plug but safer, not recomended.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top