safe to unplug IDE/power cable from HD
 

Is it safe to unplug IDE/power cable from HD while the computer is still running?

Got any experience or just saying?

Just saying ... No

I would imagine it could do some damage.

just saying - but if you mean just a standard IDE drive and cable, I definitely wouldn't do it. there are IDE hotswapping systems, but I'm not sure of their support in Linux.

you may find some info here, and try a google search on "hot swap IDE":
http://linux-hotplug.sourceforge.net/?selected=links

If you need to install or remove any components from your PC, power down first. In addition to possible damage to the equipment, there would also be the possibility of getting an electric shock too. I'd say play it safe and power down -- J.W.

it is NOT safe, you have about 1 chance out of 5 to just kill the drive or corrupt data.
If you really want to do that kind of madness, at least get you a removable tray, and not a cheap one like startech something you really trust it cuts the power when you turn the key.

I have an old "StorCase Technology" removable tray... I hotswapped my IDE drive sometime and never had troubles, BUT this is _not a good idea at all_

Unless it is marked for hotswap, do NOT do this.

You could: damage your hard drive, damage your hard drive controller (on the hard drive), damage your IDE controller, damage other IDE devices on that bus, get an electrical shock, etc. At the very least, the OS would not like it (it has not ability to detect the removal of the device). Additionally, you'd have to power down to reconnect it anyway as the OS only scans IDE at boot. (Again, there are ways around this, but only with hotswappable systems)