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    Hot-plugging VGA

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by bubba_000, Oct 19, 2009.

  1. bubba_000

    bubba_000 Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi. My laptop has a DVI output which i use via a DVI>>VGA adapter to connect to a tv. I know that VGA/DVI is not hot-pluggable, but what happens if you do it?

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    Think it might be different with XP, Vista, or 7.

    What I've seen under XP is that the computer will continue to think that an external display is attached if said device is unplugged without warning. So you could move your cursor off your desktop to where the display used to be. This state will usually persist until you disconnect the monitor in software or reboot.

    Vista and 7 might be smart enough to do otherwise.
     
  3. aussiek2000

    aussiek2000 Notebook Consultant

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    I do it all the time in vista and 7. It automatically reverts to the laptop screen only.
     
  4. bubba_000

    bubba_000 Notebook Evangelist

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    OK, but what would happen if I would turn the laptop on whitout anything connected and THEN connect the VGA cable to the TV?

    Do i risk frying anything?
     
  5. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    Yep, no harm in doing this either. I do it all the time with my external display(s).
     
  6. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    I've hotplugged/unplugged VGA before many times, no issues.
     
  7. jenesuispasbavard

    jenesuispasbavard Notebook Evangelist

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    VGA is actually hot-pluggable.
     
  8. Trottel

    Trottel Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yeah, the only problem is it might not auto detect.