Hi I need to move my computer from one wall outlet to another, but I cant turn it off. Can I somehow insert an extension cord into the computer somehow without turning it off? Or how quickly would I have to move it from one plug to another. I think I could get it from the wall to an extension cord in under a second. Also, there is a power output plug on the computer for a monitor, can I make a cable that has two plugs on both sides maybe and plug the power in on that spot?

Thanks, Dan

No ... and no ... electricity doesn't linger for a while, as soon as
you break the circuit it's dead. Why can't you turn it off?

You need to turn it off. For future events you may get a UPS to protect the pc from power failure as well.

This is not recommended but you can do what you want IF YOU'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH LIVE WIRES.

What you do is:

1) Get an extension cord and cut off the female end, and remove the insulation from the two exposed wires.

2) Carefully (in two different places, at least a 5 cm away from each other) expose the power wires on the computer power cord. (BE VERY CAREFUL - IF YOU COMPLETE A CIRCUIT THROUGH YOURSELF TO GROUND, SERIOUS INJURY INCLUDING DEATH MAY RESULT. IN OTHER WORDS, DO NOT TOUCH THE WIRES WITH ANY UNINSULATED CONDUCTOR.)

3) Attach the exposed ends of the extension cord to the two exposed wires on the power cord. If you can get them, wire clips -- like on the ends of "jumper cables" for starting cars with dead batteries -- on the end of the extension cord would make this easier. (NOTE: IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE COLOR OF THE WIRE IN THE EXTENSION CORD MATCH THAT OF THE WIRE TO WHICH YOU CLIP IT. Sometimes the "color" is a simple colored strip in the insulation.. If the "dolor is not matched, the next step will cause a short circuit, and blow your fuses. It MAY destroy your home or apartment.

4) Plug in the extension cord

5) Unplug the computer power cord.

6) Move it

7) Plug it in to the new outlet

8) Unplug the extension cord and unclip it from the power cord

9) Wrap the exposed wires on the power cord with insulating tape.

10) Offer a prayer of thanks to the god or goddess of your choice.

Again, this is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AND NOT RECOMMENDED.

Further, I can accept no responsibility for any consequences if you actually follow these instructions, and disaster ensues.

Hire a qualified electronics tech...
Opening the case and affixing a few sta-cons and a switch to provide DC +/-12 and DC +/- 5 from an alternate source is a fairly simple job.

Cutting AC power cords and jimmy-rigging extension cords is a very silly idea.

Best idea - turn it off for the 3 minutes it will take to move it.

You are extremely irresponsible, IMNSHO, for making this post. You should delete all it's contents and hope he hasn't read it yet. There is nothing in a computer that is worth risking your life for...if he shuts it off and even loses all the data, but saves his life, big deal.

Yes, this is my opinion. LQ is full of opinions.

I still wonder what is so critical that it cannot be rebooted. And if something is that critical, why is there not a UPS on this system? One good thunderstorm and this would all be out of his hands.

You left out the part about doing all this while standing in a tub of water full of piranhas, and also juggling chainsaws and blowtorches. Seriously, let's not offer advice (?) that could injure or kill someone. Working with live wires can result in death or injury, and even if you don't get hurt, there's a good chance you could short out that very important computer you are trying to move. It's not worth the risk, no matter which way you look at it, so don't do it.

With respect to the original question, the bottom line is that you have two choices: If you really, truly "can't turn it off" the computer, then you will have to get adjusted to the fact that the computer will need to remain where it is now. On the other hand, if you have to move the computer, then you have to accept the fact that you have to turn it off. I suspect that the reality is more along the lines of "we *really* don't want to turn off the computer" or that "we have a very strong preference not to turn it off" than the machine truly "can't be" turned off -- after all, and as others have said, if the hard drive crashed, the PSU died, or the power went out, etc, the world would go on. Just do an orderly shutdown, power it down, move it, and power it back up. As for trying to do a super-fast plug/unplug, well, No. Electricity can move several dozen orders of magnitude faster than your arm can.

If there are other factors that make turning it off more complicated, then you will need to consult with a licensed, professional electrician. Good luck with it -- J.W.

are you sure this is a computer and not a frogger machine?

(anyone get the seinfeld reference here? George's high score, lol)

might be a server or something. i suggest watching that seinfeld episode, you may get some ideas from it, attaching an external battery or something.