[Madrag]

hello all,

I'm about to receive my LCD to couple with a CRT that I currenty use.

My question is if I can plug/unplug the monitor to the mac (G5 2.0 Rev B) while the mac is on, or do I need to turn it off to plug/unplug?

TIA!

[crooner]

While it is better to shutdown before making a connection like this, you can, in most case, "hot-plug" a display to your Mac. I wouldn't make a habit of this as you never know if something may get fried, but if you're feeling lucky, go ahead.

Apple techs do it all the time.

[Madrag]

I've done it in the past, but I just wanted to hear some really bad story to make me feel like the best is to shut the mac before plugging

One reason why I asked this is because after the LCD arrives, I want to test it in the DVI port and then in the ADC (with an adapter) to compare it, and comparing it after two or more minutes after a shutdown isn't a great help (although this type of comparison will always be very subjective...)

[tooki]

I can tell you already, it won't make any difference whether it's on straight DVI or through the ADC port via adapter.

tooki

[Madrag]

really?!
You mean it's the same? (meaning, the best possible)

[bbales]

Originally Posted by tooki

I can tell you already, it won't make any difference whether it's on straight DVI or through the ADC port via adapter.

tooki

I'm assuming an upgradede video card will make a difference though? I got my 20-inch Dell yesterday and just plugged it in. (I did unplug everything first though!) I'm still using my original Rage 128 card from my gigabit ethernet G4. Qutie some time ago I'd gotten a moderately boosted card on ebay, but ended up not being able to use it because it wouldn't work with my Apple Studio Display. But I kept it and it does have DVI. So I figured this weekend I'd replace the video card. I'm thinking I'll get some kind of boost from the upgraded card, even if the DVI vs. other connector makes no difference.

[tooki]

Originally Posted by Madrag

really?!
You mean it's the same? (meaning, the best possible)

ADC is nothing more than single-link DVI-I plus USB and 42V power, in a different connector. All the adapters just strip out the desired wires and wire them to the desired connector.

tooki

[tooki]

Originally Posted by bbales

I'm assuming an upgradede video card will make a difference though? I got my 20-inch Dell yesterday and just plugged it in. (I did unplug everything first though!) I'm still using my original Rage 128 card from my gigabit ethernet G4. Qutie some time ago I'd gotten a moderately boosted card on ebay, but ended up not being able to use it because it wouldn't work with my Apple Studio Display. But I kept it and it does have DVI. So I figured this weekend I'd replace the video card. I'm thinking I'll get some kind of boost from the upgraded card, even if the DVI vs. other connector makes no difference.

I had trouble extracting what your actual question is, but if it's just whether a faster card will be faster... well yes it will!

tooki

[Madrag]

thanks for the explanation tooki!

[bbales]

Originally Posted by tooki

I had trouble extracting what your actual question is, but if it's just whether a faster card will be faster... well yes it will!

tooki

So sometimes I'm not so clear...

Thanks for the info. I'll trade cards soon.

[wuzup101]

I can tell you that I've hot plugged monitors literally 1000s of times while working on PCs before switching to macs and never had a problem. You will want to make sure the display is atleast off though before plugging it in. And, not sure if it's the same thing, but I hot plug/unplug my 19" LCD into my 15" powerbook DVI on average of 2-3 times a day. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Madrag]

nice to know that wuzup101.

I'm more confident now

It will arrive monday!