Will unplugging a video cable hurt anything?

TimTim Southwest PA Icrontian
edited January 2005 in Hardware
I've got 2 desktop computers running full time folding on my table right now. But only one monitor.

With the computers and monitor turned on and running, will it hurt anything to pull the video cable to the monitor out of one computer and plug it into the other?

I'd rather not blow a video card or something, especially my $50 Radeon 9200 SE in my main desktop system.

Comments

  • Lord_NightLord_Night Piqua Ohio
    edited January 2005
    Buy yourself a KVM switch,,,,,

    disconnecting anything but the USB from the MB while it is running, the static charge can fry the board, or the video card or whatever inside....

    you do not want to do it really... a KVM switch is the way to go.. and there not that expensive,, it allows you to control several system with one kb, monitor and mouse.

    http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/
    is just one place,, there are lots others....
  • NecropolisNecropolis Hawarden, Wales Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Sorry but I have unpluged hundreds of monitors in my time and I have never, ever damaged anything, never mind blown a motherboard.

    Try this http://www.tightvnc.com/ if you have a network you can have as many "headless" boxes as you want.
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited January 2005
    Both good suggestions. I pull my monitor cable out all the time as well.
  • CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Ditto. Never had any issues with removing monitor cables while the PC is running.
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited January 2005
    The only problem you might run into with pulling the cable is that you are steadily putting wear on the monitor connector and with today's monitors usually having the cable built into the monitor, stand a chance of ruining a monitor due to bending/breaking a pin in the connector.

    VNC or a kvm switch is the way to go. You can get a 2 port kvm for dirt cheap nowdays too. This Linkskey 2 port kvm switch is ready to rock and roll for only $25 delivered and includes cables and everything.
  • floppybootstompfloppybootstomp Greenwich New
    edited January 2005
    I might as well chime in as well :D

    No harm done in pulling live video cables, DVI or VGA, but as others have mentioned do be careful as pin connectors can break off.

    Static is overrated. Unless you're walking around on a Nylon carpet with synthetic footwear, you're unlikely to build up much of a static charge within yourself. However, it never hurts to ground yourself to a radiator pipe or similar earth point before handling anything electronic.

    In 20 years of handling delicate IC's and more recently computer parts, I have never damaged anything through static discharge. And the only protective device I've used is a large anti-static mat plugged into mains earth, and that only rarely.

    And to repeat: KVM switch good idea.
  • rc1974rc1974 Grand Junction, CO
    edited January 2005
    VNC has worked well for me.
  • MedlockMedlock Miramar, Florida Member
    edited January 2005
    I agree with FBS. Static IS overrated, and no harm in pulling video cables. :D
  • pokesquid808pokesquid808 SO CAL
    edited January 2005
    it's all about remote desktop ;D
Sign In or Register to comment.