Processor Indicator Light

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XP SP2 - Processor Indicator Light shows up orange when the computer is first
turned on then goes out never to appear again in any form until the next
boot. Is that a problem that can be or needs to be solved? If so, any ideas
will be appreciated
 
Sorry about the undefinitive identification. Thanks, Jerry, for asking about
that. Up until today when I was talking with a 'knowledgeable' PC technician,
I thought it was called the HDD Indicator Light. But that one said it was the
light on the front of the computer (right under the on/off button on my
computer) which blinks when the processor is working and sending information.
Whatever it's called, that's where it is and that's what it used to do
(blink) but doesn't anymore. Just lights up (which apparently shows it's not
burned out or somehow disconnected) when the computer is switched on or
re-started and then goes dark until the next time either of those takes place.
 
That is the hard drive activity light. I have never (doesn't mean it can't
exist) seen a processor/CPU activity light on a computer case.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
Thanks, Richard! I was close in my original understanding of what the light
indicates. Now, do you have any idea why it's not blinking now as the HDD
works and if that is or is not an issue to be concerned about?
 
It is entirely dependent upon the motherboard and how your drives are
connected. On my computer, if I have drives connected to an external ATA
card, those drives are not monitored by the M/B "IDE" (drive activity) lamp.
They can be accessing data like crazy and the lamp will NOT show it.

Check your manual for information.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
My drive is connected to the M/B and the light has al;ways functioned (I've
had the computer for 4 1/2 years) until some days ago when it suddenly quit
doing so and the computer began shutting down and restarting periodically
without warning. Does that sound like something going or gone wrong in the
M/B which could be a precursor to a gradual and/or complete meltdown?
 
The LED is voltage dependant, it's like a little switch. It takes .7 Volt
to close the switch. When the switch (Junction) closes the current that
flows generates light as well as heat. If you connect the two wires to
the LED backwards, the LED(iode) or switch can't close because the
polarity of voltage is reversed and the switch will never close.
Wire-------(Neg)-----|<]----(Pos)-------Wire
Both the Power LED and HDD LED are identical in operation. It's the
signal that drives them that determines how they illuminate.
 
The basic fact is that the LED's on the front of the case can be
connected to whatever connections are available on the motherboard for
driving LED's. If you REALLY want to know what it is, OPEN the case,
trace the wire, and determine what connector on the motherboard is
feeding the LED. Then read the motherboard manual to find out what
triggers that set of pins.
 
XP SP2 - Processor Indicator Light shows up orange when the
computer is first turned on then goes out never to appear again in
any form until the next boot. Is that a problem that can be or
needs to be solved? If so, any ideas will be appreciated
Click to expand...

By chance, do you have a laptop/portable? This behavior sounds like
the light that goes on when the battery is being charged then goes off
after the battery is fully charged.

-- John
 
Thanks for this imput, Bob. I have traced the wire, unplugged and re-plugged
it with no change. But the computer is an HP so I don't have a motherboard
manual to consult. However, I am consulting HP Tech Support. Maybe they can
help, if help is really needed. The computer functions normally without the
LED showing HDD activity. My only wonder is if the fact the LED quit
functioning normally (which it has always done up until a week or so ago) is
a precursor to a gradual or even immediate meltdown of the motherboard. The
system is 4 1/2-years old.
 
I suppose some of the motherboard circuitry may be failing given the
symptoms you describe, but another possibility is the power supply unit
is marginal. It may have low voltage due to load and then powerline
voltage sag put it over the edge for what the motherboard requires.
 
Thanks, Bob! That's just another thing to be on the lookout for. I suppose
with a 4 1/2-year-old system, these things can be expected. Appreciate your
input.
 
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