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General discussion

Is it safe to disconnect

Apr 13, 2005 3:45PM PDT

Is it safe for the computer hardware to disconnect the ethernet cable while the computer is running?

For example when you have a broadband connection. You want to load a new program. You get the screen encouraging you to close all other programs. But if you do that you close your anti-virus and other important programs. So you want to get off the internet before exposing yourself. So is it safe to pull the plug on the ethernet cable, don't want to shut down the router because that disconnects the rest of the small network.

Thank you,
Jim

Discussion is locked

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Yes, ethernet cables may be hot swapped...
Apr 13, 2005 7:09PM PDT

or unplugged while the computer is on.

My question is why?

The message you received about closing any open programs is Windows way of making the install of a new program go unfettered.

Leave your AV running and the ethernet cable plugged in.

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Because I use
Apr 14, 2005 5:38AM PDT

Hi Michael, thanks for taking your time to respond. The reason for disconnecting is I use Norton's Internet Security which also runs my firewall.

Thank you,
Jim