looking for ideas...

From: Doc <doc_at_mdrconsult.com>
Date: Sat Apr 13 11:20:27 2002

On Sat, 13 Apr 2002, John Boffemmyer IV wrote:

> Ok, I know this is a bit off-topic, but I was looking for any ideas as to
> make a 3.5" or 5.25" drive bay LED array for my SCSI that I have running.
> Something that will allow for both SCSI controller LED's and then 3 or 4
> LED's for HDD activity. Also, wondering if anyone knew how to make an LED
> that shows Ethernet connectivity and activity to interact with a standard
> ATX board and an old AMD PCNet II PCI Ethernet card.

  You've got way too much spare time. ;^)
  Actually, it's a nifty idea. I've never tried running a long (more
than about 6") lead to drive LEDs, but that part should be very easy.
Your SCSI adapter has a header for a bus activity LED, and AFAIK, every
SCSI drive I own still has a pair of pins for an external LED. Just a
matter of tracking the jumper diagrams and mounting the LEDs If you've
ever watched inside the box while it boots, you already know that you
can have individual drive activity LEDs (on the drive by default) _and_
the bus LED.

  The ethernet indicators are even easier. Put the switch/hub where you
can see it. ;)

  Or, I don't have a PCNet card, but I just looked through my box. On
all the NICs I have, assuming you're handy with desoldering tools, it
looks like it should be fairly easy to hijack the entire LED housing and
just "extend the pins" by a couple of feet.

  Again, I don't know if the power to the NIC's LEDs will support a
longer run, but I can't see that you could hurt much by trying.

        Doc
Received on Sat Apr 13 2002 - 11:20:27 BST