user4138: When the BitForce Bitcoin Miner is mining, does it have to be connected to a PC all the time? 

user1409: Yes. Mining devices such as this are merely highly-specialized processors that communicate with a computer via serial over USB. The computer is necessary in order to tell the device what to do, and to get its result to post to the mining system (i.e. a pool or bitcoind).

4138: <p>When the <a href="https://products.butterflylabs.com/homepage/5-gh-s-bitcoin-miner.html" rel="nofollow">BitForce Bitcoin Miner</a> is mining, does it have to be connected to a PC all the time? </p>
 1409: <p>Yes. Mining devices such as this are merely highly-specialized processors that communicate with a computer via serial over USB. The computer is necessary in order to tell the device what to do, and to get its result to post to the mining system (i.e. a pool or <code>bitcoind</code>).</p>
