So this old computer that I got has a serial and parallel port that stick through holes in the back. They had some plastic covers on them, but when I was putting the thing back together, it just shattered. I swear, I wasn’t even squeezing hard. The things just peeled like bananas. I guess this thing is so damn old, the plastic is just fragile as hell.

Anyway, is it safe to screw that shit back in without the plastic covers? I doubt I can find fitting replacements for something this obscure. It’s metal on metal, pins exposed. Is that an issue?