@arthfach @nitinkhanna @adrienne fwiw, keeping a computer powered while seizing it is a standard tactic, and tools to do it are commercially available and not particularly expensive, e.g. https://cdsg.com/products/hotplug-field-kit?image=0
No surgery needed most of the time, unless you are connected directly to the wall (no power strip), and your power connector doesn't expose anything hot while slightly removed from the wall.