Robert Redelmeier wrote:
> > I'd not noticed this, so, like a sucker, I tried it on my BP6 --
> > lockup! This was while running Red Hat LINUX 6.2 updated to 2.2.16,
> > under Xfree86. Not only did the console lock (even control-alt-F2
> > didn't work), but the system refused to respond to pings. So it was
> > locked. But not as bad as can happen: the reset switch still worked.
>
> Be glad you didn't burn out the fuses on the mouse port. AFAIK,
> PS/2 ports are _NOT_ designed to be hot plugged. Just imagine
> what would happen when you try to power or ground the device through
> the data or clock lines in the milliseconds when those lines are
> connected before the power or ground are. Small wonder the
> hardware locks up.
One of the dangers of hotplugging that I found out the hard way is
that a switching powersupply may not tolerate a very sudden decrease
in power-consumption. Maybe this is no longer valid, as a processor
that suddenly halts suddenly uses 15W less power.
But anyway, I once blew up my XT by unplugging a card. Blew up half
the RAM too (256k of it, terribly expensive stuff back then).
Oh, inductance can cause large voltages where you don't expect them.
So if the mouse is drawing current, the inductance in the cable, may
cause a voltage spike of several thousands of volts in the nanosecond
after you unplug the wire.
Roger.
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