TFT question

[CG Effect]

Does anyone know if it is ok to unplug a TFT from a DVI socket while the computer is on? I need to share one monitor between two computers.

[KM-Tiger]

I think it's one of those things which you are not supposed to do, but in reality nothing happen if you do.

However if you are going to be doing this on a *very* frequent basis, you will eventually wear out the connector which has not been designed for that number of insertions. Far better to get a KVM switch if you must do this regularly.

[CG Effect]

The computers are in two diferent rooms. I would be switching the monitor over once or twice a day just to set one computer running.

[openmind]

Should be ok but you're better using a KVM:
http://www.expansys.com/other.asp?cat=ETHKVM

Save you having to plug/unplug all the time...

[CG Effect]

Cheers for that I did'nt know that stuff existed. It will come in handy when I have a studio with all my gear in together. The other computer I use is for rendering which can take from 9 hours to weeks. Once its rendering theirs no need for any devices to be pluged in till its finnished.

[openmind]

They are handy. I got one a while ago so I could opearte my office server at the same time as one of my other machines.

Very handy...

[autolycus]

Another possibility.....

Depending on exactly what you are doing, you might be able to run a piece of remote control software on the rendering machine (PC Anywhere, Windows XP Remote Assistance, VNC, etc) and then control it from the computer that does have the screen.

[KM-Tiger]

Once its rendering theirs no need for any devices to be pluged in till its finnished.
Are these Windows boxes?

I think there something called Remote Desktop that would allow you to connect to the other PC, without re-plugging the monitor.

Hopefully someone else will jump in and expand this. I mostly use Linux these days where such a task would be *easy*!

[CG Effect]

I was saving for another tft I can only use a 1280 by 960 or higher monitor so a KVM will save me loads. thanx guys

[confused]

IF the computer is in another room, be sure to check the specs of the KVM - a few feet away is one thing, but another room is totally another thing when using a kvm and it may well work out very expensive.
As for hot swapping a montir, as mentioned, you arnt supposed to do it, but I have never once seen a problem caused by doing this - ps2 mice on the other hand is another story.
If you just need to "switch over to it" every now and then, remote desktop or something like VNC (http://www.vnc.com/) might be a better (and cheaper) option.
If it were me, I'd use vnc for this over remote desktop, if you use remote desktop (as against remote assistance) then you are effectivly logging on agaiin - therefore you wont see whats going on.

CALV