Question

[omnisome]

Can I plug in my SATA optical drive while the computer is running?

 

[Ubrales]

If it is an external DVD drive, yes it is ok to do so; not recommended for internal DVD drives.

 

[Dogsnake]

When making internal connections it is correct to power down the system. The new device may not be properly recognized without a re-boot, the chance of a short or static discharge is increased with hot connections and there is the ooops factor of accidentally hitting another component and causing yet one more problem. All in all no upside to hot connecting.