Switching off LEDs when the PC is shut down

I have a somewhat mundane issue that I could use some help with

One thing that bugs me a bit with recent-ish hardware is the abundance of annoying LEDs. Our two PCs have mouse, keyboard, and motherboard LEDs (which shines through the ventilation holes of the casing) that stay lit even when the power is off. It used to be a minor annoyance until we moved to the current apartment where we have to keep the PCs in the bedroom.

Is there any way to dim these fellows other than unplugging the power for the PCs?

I've beem looking at PS2 and USB options (keyboard and mouse the ones that shine at our bed) in the BIOS but havent found any obvious solution there.

I would recommend getting a power strip with a switch. That way you also save a significant bit of power that your computer burns while in standby. Works for me.

Yup, that's what I do. Also for the TV/home theater/stereo thingy.

The PSU on your PC ought to have a "hard" on-off switch as well. Flip that and those lights will go off too.

We do that for the TV set already, but I was hoping that there was one way around it for the stationary PCs as the wiring is somewhat inconveniently located, and so is is the switch on the back side of the PSU…

You can buy small remote controlled power strips. 3 pieces 20 bucks or so.

Originally Posted by Zaleukos
We do that for the TV set already, but I was hoping that there was one way around it for the stationary PCs as the wiring is somewhat inconveniently located, and so is is the switch on the back side of the PSU…

Unplug the wires that can be unplugged, and put a bit of electrician's tape on the LED that can't be unplugged?

One thing that bugs me a bit with recent-ish hardware is the abundance of annoying LEDs. Our two PCs have mouse, keyboard, and motherboard LEDs (which shines through the ventilation holes of the casing) that stay lit even when the power is off. It used to be a minor annoyance until we moved to the current apartment where we have to keep the PCs in the bedroom.

Spoiling the romantic mood eh?

I am using Belkin Power protector power strip. It could be unsightly when cable running across your room from wall socket to the power strip, or your Pc is inconveniently located.

Remus: Yeah, sort of. The intense blue and red glow gives a Reeperbahn-like feeling, but we arent really into that…

I'm going for Gorath's solution since that would improve the aesthethics of the TV set as well Digging in some other places I found out that the mobo is supposed to have a jumper that can be changed to switch off power to PS2 and USB ports while the system is shut down, so I'll adjust that as well.

Still dont see the point of putting LEDs all over consumer electronics tho…

Those LEDs could be quite annoying for sure, i have lights coming from my speaker's on/off button, resolution speed indicator on mouse, from my HP monitor, my D-Link USB wireless internet connector, amd removable device reader.

At least some of those lights indicating operation status (working properly/in operation/sleep mode, error messages, etc), but i don't see the point for hardwares inside the case. It looks nice and cool, especially for geek/hardware enthusiast (on the partial glass casing) but beyong that i dont see anything usefull.

Yep, I understand your problem; I have a Saitek joystick that looks like a Christmas tree even with computer powered off.

Originally Posted by Remus
At least some of those lights indicating operation status (working properly/in operation/sleep mode, error messages, etc), but i don't see the point for hardwares inside the case. It looks nice and cool, especially for geek/hardware enthusiast (on the partial glass casing) but beyong that i dont see anything usefull.

Ever troubleshot a computer setup that refuses to go into BIOS? You work with LED's and beeps and nowadays cryptic voice messages delivered in accented English. I have, and it actually worked. I wouldn't even mind a few more, to make things easier.

Originally Posted by Prime Junta
Ever troubleshot a computer setup that refuses to go into BIOS? You work with LED's and beeps and nowadays cryptic voice messages delivered in accented English. I have, and it actually worked. I wouldn't even mind a few more, to make things easier.

That is true, but troubleshooting LEDs could be placed where they dont lit the entire room under normal conditions.

An optical mouse already has a light source (or it wouldnt function properly), but this little beauty has an extra blue light at the tail end (which doesnt show very well on the picture) that doesnt really add to troubleshooting ability.

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mo…s.aspx?pid=064

As a good Luddite I'd also like to see more electronics with proper hard power switches. Sometimes one would like to switch off a cable modem or digital TV receiver completely just to save energy while out of the house, and that without going through a birds nest of wires to reach the inconveniently placed wall power point.

Originally Posted by Zaleukos
As a good Luddite I'd also like to see more electronics with proper hard power switches. Sometimes one would like to switch off a cable modem or digital TV receiver completely just to save energy while out of the house, and that without going through a birds nest of wires to reach the inconveniently placed wall power point.

I've got a strip with a hard switch for that specific purpose. It's just next to the TV, and I can flip the switch with my toe. Everything in the rack (the TV, the DVD player, the amp, the digital TV receiver) is connected to that. Works well enough with minimal hassle.

Originally Posted by Zaleukos

An optical mouse already has a light source (or it wouldnt function properly), but this little beauty has an extra blue light at the tail end (which doesnt show very well on the picture) that doesnt really add to troubleshooting ability.

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mo…s.aspx?pid=064

I had a mouse in my office with transparent body, so you could see the components and colorful LEDs inside. Imaging what would you see when i swift off all the lights in the room…

Originally Posted by Prime Junta
I've got a strip with a hard switch for that specific purpose. It's just next to the TV, and I can flip the switch with my toe. Everything in the rack (the TV, the DVD player, the amp, the digital TV receiver) is connected to that. Works well enough with minimal hassle.

So do I since 2004 or so Still I find it a bit funny that such extremely basic functionality is an extra in these days of almost religious environmentalism