Hi, I have a surge protector that can switch off individual plugs. Is it safe to switch power off to my monitors without using the poweer button on the monitor itseld? What about my PC when it's at the 'power off' mode, i.e shut down but not shut off?

This is a borderline safe operation. The problem is when any appliance starts up it draws a large amount of current. This is why your garage lites dim when you run your power saw. Depending on what else in on the circuit in common with the computer system [like lites and appliances]your turning on both at the same time can cause them not to get the current they need. This is what is referred to as a form of brown out. This is not good on the power supply and will aid in its early demise. Lose the power supply in the pc you can replace it. Lose the power supply in the monitor you replace the monitor.

I have all my computer stuff (two whole systems with printer, scanner, ....) on one power connector with place for up to nine power cables. I switch monitor, computer, speakers, scanner, printer, force feedback joystick, .... on with the switch on that switch without shutting them off seperately before. I do this now for years and the only problem I ever had was after we got a totally new power box. After that the fuse switched off from time to time when I started that way because of all devices drawing extra power at the same time. After we installed another fuse which reacts a little bit more idle everything is fine again!

Powering down the monitor from a surge protector is no problem. I've done multiple systems for many years like that. It's the same as turning off the monitor power switch. The PC is another matter. It depends on what you mean by "shut down but not shut off?" I wouldn't do it if the PC is in `Standby'.

thanks for the replies. I mean but shut down but not off, as in...I go to shutdow (I use linux0 and it gets to theoint where it says 'Power down...' and I have to hold the power off button for 3 seconds. Can I just hit the surge protector switch?