Disconnect a case fan whilst computer is powered on?

Parsley

Parsley

Parsley

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Simple question, can you do this?

I am not about to try this but I am curious (and I haven't tried it for obvious reasons :)).

I have to power everything down to remove my computers side panel as the cable isn't very long and only just reaches the motherboard header that it is connected to, hence why the question popped into my head.
 
Of course you can. The only worry is case temps rocketing, which if you're taking the side off anyway shoudn't be too much of a problem.
 
Sure, i've done it with a GPU fan. I just don't recommend it really... there's all sorts of issues with static and the fact that a ****load of electricity is running through the system. Just be careful and don't touch anything other than the plastic parts.
 
Should be fine, only one i wouldn't recommend doing it to is the cpu fan as the motherboard will get upset if its removed for more than second or two.

There is no chance of an electric shock as everything is low voltage outside the psu, static could be an issue though so unless you have good reason to do it, ie trying to find out which fan is making that god awful racket, then i wouldn't bother.
 
just dont plug something into a 12V line while turned on or you might corrupt a drive or something cough cough
 
Cheers, I didn't think it would cause an issue but better I ask and find out it is safe rather than attempt it and have something throw a hissy fit. Better safe than sorry eh? :)
 
chrismartino said:
I pulled the molex out of a HDD once lol and one of the HDD's caught fire so i wouldn't suggest it pal
Click to expand...

Tried it and it was fine, as many folk said above.

A molex is a different connection and goes directly to the PSU, the fan header on the motherboard carries far less power and unlike the molex isn't a straight connection to the power supply.

Cheers for the replies above :).
 
I do this a lot, simply because I've a fan in the side of my case and have to disconnect it to fully remove the side panel. Many times the computer has been running at the time.
 
Wont be a problem. Only thing of note is if its connected to the mobo it may have its speed monitored and when it gets pulled out the mobo may see it as a failure and start beeping at you, if that happens you will have to reboot to reconfigure the BIOS!
 
I unplug and replug a certain fan a lot. Due to the fact that my case is a MM U2 UFO and I ahve 1 fan in the top panel and when I want to remove the top panel, I unscrew it and haver to disconnect one fan and it's been fine everytime!
 
chrismartino said:
I pulled the molex out of a HDD once lol and one of the HDD's caught fire so i wouldn't suggest it pal
Click to expand...

I had a HDD resting on top of my HTPC, silly I know, it fell and both the molex and PATA cables came out - the HDD was fine. I simply turned off the computer and reconnected it.

Obviously don't disconnect HDD's whilst their being used for data transfers etcs.
 
I'm always unplugging fans and plugging them in again with the system on, I'm yet to have an issue :)
 
Happy said:
I'm always unplugging fans and plugging them in again with the system on, I'm yet to have an issue :)
Click to expand...

same when i clean all my case fans i never turn the pc off i just unplug the molex connectors.

been doing it for years and never had an issue
 
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