May sound stupid.....

Grimm · 01-March-03, 01:14 AM

I should know the answer to this, but I don't.

Can you boot (and run) a computer with no mouse, keyboard or monitor?

If not, how dangerous is it to get it running and unplug all that stuff?

Why? A while ago Dr. Who told me about the bering project, and it caught my interest. So the idea is to only run the box as a firewall/router. I'm also too damn cheap to go buy a KVM, (Rumour has it my great granfather and his brother invented copper wire by fighting over a penny....).

Any thoughts?

Buzz_4_20 · 01-March-03, 01:16 AM

it will work without much danger to my knowledge, just watch the static electricity when plugging/unplugging.

EDITED for me not reading the question right....

Kage · 01-March-03, 01:38 AM

I don't see any harm in it, and there shouldn't be any. The mobo shouldn't try and output any signal if it's not plugged in, so nothing happens.

[edit]by nothing I mean for the mouse and such, the computer should boot and run just fine

Sportbilly · 01-March-03, 02:18 AM

Yup, I have 3 puters running here just like that, no problems yet, one is even hangin in the unfinished basement ceiling to get it out of the way. I believe this is called running 'headless'

You'll have to turn off the keyboard error option in BIOS though, or it'll hang on bootup. And like Buzz said, watch for all the static with no frame to ground to (Will the PSU chassis ground you? Anyone?)

Have fun, and don't forget to get it folding

abyssling · 01-March-03, 02:51 AM

YOu need a monitor and a keyboard to boot, or else you need to pull some funky shiz in the bios or jimmyrig your vga/ps2 ports

Sportbilly · 01-March-03, 06:28 AM

Nope you don't

Most mobos have a setting to turn the kb alarm off, and monitor is def not required (try unplugging yer monitor and hitting reset...). I can reboot all my machines remotely, and I didn't have to do anything to them apart from the above.

Grimm : If you were after Linux BTW, I haven't done it but I have seen machines that ran headless that way too...

Lokie · 01-March-03, 09:34 AM

Yes your powersupply's case and any metal attachedd to it is grounded.

zedric · 01-March-03, 09:57 AM

You should even be able to boot it without a graphics card with the right settings. I made a small MP3-player (out of a P100 though) and it didn't really need gfx/keyb/mouse. It worked very well.

01-March-03, 01:14 AM		#1 (permalink)
Grimm Apex Master Tech Apprentice	May sound stupid..... I should know the answer to this, but I don't. Can you boot (and run) a computer with no mouse, keyboard or monitor? If not, how dangerous is it to get it running and unplug all that stuff? Why? A while ago Dr. Who told me about the bering project, and it caught my interest. So the idea is to only run the box as a firewall/router. I'm also too damn cheap to go buy a KVM, (Rumour has it my great granfather and his brother invented copper wire by fighting over a penny....). Any thoughts?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The Register // Stupid operating systems or stupid operators?	Gizmo	The Register RSS	0	23-August-06 05:02 AM
Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic Sound card $120	Sleepy_Sentry	Deals and Steals	0	22-August-05 07:31 AM
Stupid little things for a stupid little man	DuplexEmotions	Trading Post	13	23-July-04 10:54 AM
Music CD- no sound??? DVD- sound OK. Whats wrong here?	GLO	Motherboards / CPUs	17	29-June-04 12:02 AM

01-March-03, 01:16 AM		#2 (permalink)
Buzz_4_20 Apex Elite Tech	it will work without much danger to my knowledge, just watch the static electricity when plugging/unplugging. EDITED for me not reading the question right....

01-March-03, 01:38 AM		#3 (permalink)
Kage Lokie's Personal WU-Hoe	I don't see any harm in it, and there shouldn't be any. The mobo shouldn't try and output any signal if it's not plugged in, so nothing happens. [edit]by nothing I mean for the mouse and such, the computer should boot and run just fine

01-March-03, 02:18 AM		#4 (permalink)
Sportbilly Apex Tech Maniac	Yup, I have 3 puters running here just like that, no problems yet, one is even hangin in the unfinished basement ceiling to get it out of the way. I believe this is called running 'headless' You'll have to turn off the keyboard error option in BIOS though, or it'll hang on bootup. And like Buzz said, watch for all the static with no frame to ground to (Will the PSU chassis ground you? Anyone?) Have fun, and don't forget to get it folding

01-March-03, 02:51 AM		#5 (permalink)
abyssling Apex Tech Maniac	YOu need a monitor and a keyboard to boot, or else you need to pull some funky shiz in the bios or jimmyrig your vga/ps2 ports

01-March-03, 06:28 AM		#6 (permalink)
Sportbilly Apex Tech Maniac	Nope you don't Most mobos have a setting to turn the kb alarm off, and monitor is def not required (try unplugging yer monitor and hitting reset...). I can reboot all my machines remotely, and I didn't have to do anything to them apart from the above. Grimm : If you were after Linux BTW, I haven't done it but I have seen machines that ran headless that way too...

01-March-03, 09:34 AM		#7 (permalink)
Lokie Custom What?	Yes your powersupply's case and any metal attachedd to it is grounded.

01-March-03, 09:57 AM		#8 (permalink)
zedric Apex Techie II	You should even be able to boot it without a graphics card with the right settings. I made a small MP3-player (out of a P100 though) and it didn't really need gfx/keyb/mouse. It worked very well.