flashing amber light on desktop

[pcrich]

I have a desktop (one made up from a shop). There are 2 lights near the power button that stay green when it's turned on. Yesterday the left hand light has started flashing amber, but the right light stays constant green. I rebooted, and it booted up ok, but the left light still flashes amber. Am I heading for problems? Thanks.

 

[Cromewell]

Sounds like you are seeing you hard drive activity light. It should flash during normal operation.

 

[pcrich]

Thanks. I've never noticed the left light on the tower being amber before though, I thought it stayed green like the other one. Maybe it's always done this and I've only just noticed! Is there nothing to worry about then? Many thanks.

 

[Cromewell]

Green and amber is a common combination, though they can be any colour. It's very unlikely that an amber light is the only indication of a problem. If you let your computer idle the flickering of the light should go away (or at least slow down a lot) but if you load a program it should flash like crazy.

 

[pcrich]

Thanks for your help. I'm actually on my laptop typing this, and I've just gone upstairs to check the desktop and I've realised the left hand button which is flashing amber is the reboot button. I've never noticed this flashing amber before so I thought it was a sign of something imminent. The right hand button is the power switch which still stays constant green. I'm hoping the reboot button flashing amber has always done this and doesn't mean trouble is brewing! Many thanks.

 

[johnb35]

There shouldn't be a light for the reboot button. Usually the only LED's on the case are for Power led and HDD led. Green is most likely your power LED and the amber is probably your HDD activitiy light.

 

[pcrich]

Thanks for that! Yes I'm sure you're both right about this being the activity light. I do use this button as a reboot sometimes when there's a problem, but I've never noticed this flashing amber before. Memory fails me now, but I thought this had flashed green before. Panic over, and thanks guys for putting my mind at rest! Rich.