Is it safe to unplug the 15-pin VGA monitor cable from a running PC's grahpics card and then plug it back in again later -- without turning off the computer?
In Flying Rat Why? How's it significantly different from powering off the monitor while the PC is running?
The manuals say that you should dont do it... But I ignore and do it anyway all the time... Have been using computers 10 years, never a problem.
Because if you are unfortunate enough to be charged with static, the static shock can blow your video card, if not your motherboard - it happened to me once and I am a bit more careful when I hot plug monitors/printers now.
|>Is it safe to unplug the 15-pin VGA monitor cable from a running PC's |>grahpics card and then plug it back in again later -- without turning off |>the computer? I changed monitors on an AmigA like I had many times before, shorted two pins and destroy'd my Denise chip (video). Granted the PC doesn't output 15 volts thru the monitor port like the AmigA, but I'm much more cautious now.
Hmmm.. How did you manage to unscrew and pull the plug out of the socket *without* touching some metal part of the case/screw/plug and thereby discharge any static you may have?? I'd say its more likely you somehow moved the graphic card in its slot (very easily done if there's no clip) and damaged the card that way.
That could of happened and had the same consequences if you had turned the computer off as well though....
|>Trax wrote: |> |>> |>> |>Is it safe to unplug the 15-pin VGA monitor cable from a running PC's |>> |>grahpics card and then plug it back in again later -- without turning |>> |>off the computer? |>> |>> I changed monitors on an AmigA like I had many times before, shorted |>> two pins and destroy'd my Denise chip (video). |>That could of happened and had the same consequences if you had turned the |>computer off as well though.... Not suppose to be a problem if the power is off, but as I mention'd I'm much more cautious now; And I shut down my AmigA when I change cords now. |>> Granted the PC doesn't output 15 volts thru the monitor port like the |>> AmigA, but I'm much more cautious now. |>> |>>
And we're not just talking about flowing water -- there is bidirectional data, and devices which are charged only while operating, and an amount of charge in continuous flow, I'm sure. Technology is rarely just dumb data any more; it shouldn't be interrupted. On the other hand, the video out on my laptop specifically stated I can connect while running and while both devices are on. I don't know if that implies that it uses a different kind of controller or not, but I wouldn't do it unless the manual said I could.
Same here - but more like 25 years. I swap most anything (external) without shutting down. Of course, certain devices won't run afterwards - like a serial mouse. But I've never lost a component yet. Now, obviously, you won't want to pull parts off the mobo while powered up <g> In k spewed forth:
One more contribution to the discussion: doing some end-user maintainance and no problem so far, when exchanging monitors, attaching beamers or changing crt for lcds. It is a good idea to touch the metal backplate of the computer, and not apply too much force to prevent dislocating the graphic card.
Unplugging the old one was fine. It was picking up the replacement, carrying it across the carpet and then as the plug approached the socket on the graphic card, I saw the little blue flash and heard the distinctive static 'snap' noise before the system shut down, never to work again :-( . I thought it was a good idea not to plug the monitor into the mains first but with hind sight, it may of earthed it.
No. Unless the device you are plugging/unplugging is designed with that in mind(eg. USB) it is always safest to turn off the computer before disconnecting/connecting any peripherals. It's too easy to short something out and blow a component. Most monitor connections are metal cased. Very easy to catch a pin and short it to earth or another pin
In Tony Bronze spewed forth: In the US, the 3-prong connector used for PCs does in fact connect the ground wire before connecting the power leads. I'm not familiar with the UK connections, but I should think it may be similar.
In theory, you should shut down the pc first. In practice, I've been doing such for ten years and have never fried anything.
I've been told it's a bad thing to do because of some signalling voltages and removing loading, blah blah. I also know I've done it a few times to no ill effect. I suspect the truth lies in the specific implementations of the given monitor and video cards in question.
