PCMech Forums - View Single Post

mattg2k4 · 02-22-2005, 04:35 PM

I'd be surprised if it's dirty or loose connectors, that would probably cause them to flicker or turn off, not turn on and be dim. The LED's were probably running at a higher than current than they were designed for, and are therefore dying quicker because of the excessive heat at the semiconductor junction.

Is it connected to the motherboard power indicator header? I seem to recall that people have measured these as being both 3.3v and 5v, so the best bet is to take a voltmeter and connect it to the two pins or any bare sections of wire (if there are any) leading to the LED array, and find out what yours specifically is. Then you can decide what LED to buy and whether you'll need a resistor. If they connect to a molex then it's a simple matter of seeing what color wire powers them.

Or you can do as Killuminati said and unplug them, I've had my cases front panel lights disconnected for six months or so. It's great at night because now they aren't shining brightly in my eyes in an otherwise dark room.

02-22-2005, 04:35 PM	#5
mattg2k4 Member (10 bit) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: University of California, Santa Barbara Posts: 800	I'd be surprised if it's dirty or loose connectors, that would probably cause them to flicker or turn off, not turn on and be dim. The LED's were probably running at a higher than current than they were designed for, and are therefore dying quicker because of the excessive heat at the semiconductor junction. Is it connected to the motherboard power indicator header? I seem to recall that people have measured these as being both 3.3v and 5v, so the best bet is to take a voltmeter and connect it to the two pins or any bare sections of wire (if there are any) leading to the LED array, and find out what yours specifically is. Then you can decide what LED to buy and whether you'll need a resistor. If they connect to a molex then it's a simple matter of seeing what color wire powers them. Or you can do as Killuminati said and unplug them, I've had my cases front panel lights disconnected for six months or so. It's great at night because now they aren't shining brightly in my eyes in an otherwise dark room.