i have my pc hooked to my cnc but if i just want to do the CAD side i still have power going to my break out board from parallel cable and my usb 5 dcv .  this pc is the only pc i have that has mach 3 lic in it
if i have every thing powered up my motors and drivers are building heat .
 i have been powering down my pc to unplug my break out board parallel cord usb.
 all this plugging in and unplugging im afraid that im going to short somthing out.
what is the best way to solve this 
thank you

Mikee,

USB is designed to be plugged and unplugged with the PC powered up.
Just switch off any power unit you have for the motors and unplug the USB (I doubt you will ever wear out the contacts but if you did they are probably easy enough to replace).

Tweakie.

hey tweakie
leaving only the  parallel cable plug in is ok 
 didnt want to break somthing because to proud to ask.
  that comes later when i think i know somthing.
 well back to work thank you again
mikee

leaving only the  parallel cable plug in is ok 

That is OK 

Tweakie.

thanks you  tweakie
   



mikee