Must Stop before removing?

I have a CF card reader for my PCMCIA slot on my Inspiron 1100. I usually do
the 'Stop' before removing the device. However I haven't noticed any problem
if I remove the reader without doing these extra couple of keystrokes.
What's the verdict?

And soon I will have a wireless card for the PCMCIA slot. Can one remove it
while the computer is on without a problem?

--
Doug Mitchell

historically, it was not only a bad idea to add/remove pc cards when hot but
doing so could cause permanent damage to the slot or the card itself.
stopping the card slot was a work around that didn't always work well
(networking in 98 for instance). now it seems that it doesn't really matter
but still strikes me as a bad idea. you only have the one slot and you
don't want it damaged. from what you describe i think the best solution for
you would be to buy a $15 usb type compact flash reader. with this device
you will then be able to leave the wireless pc card in all of the time and
also be able to add/remove the usb compact flash card reader whenever you
want.

"Doug Mitchell" wrote in message
...
I have a CF card reader for my PCMCIA slot on my Inspiron 1100. I usually
do
the 'Stop' before removing the device. However I haven't noticed any
problem
if I remove the reader without doing these extra couple of keystrokes.
What's the verdict?

And soon I will have a wireless card for the PCMCIA slot. Can one remove
it
while the computer is on without a problem?

--
Doug Mitchell