up vote 0 down vote favorite
share [g+] share [fb]

Does anyone know the magic incantation to disable the annoying blue led on the front of a LaCie 1TB High-Speed USB 2.0 external drive?

The manual for that model doesn't mention the ability to disable it, but for the NAS model; there is the option.

link|improve this question
Do answers including screwdrivers count? :) – crb Jun 22 '09 at 23:52
2  
If the LED is annoying enough, just remove it! (Or put opaque tape over it.) – Eddie Jun 22 '09 at 23:54
Am I sensing a common theme here? – Mark Henderson♦ Jun 22 '09 at 23:59
Software configuration preferable. – dezwart Jun 23 '09 at 0:07
feedback

6 Answers

up vote 1 down vote accepted

While a NAS usually (always?) has some method of remote configuration, a USB version of the same drive usually won't. The NAS requires configuration to know its IP address among other things. A USB drive does not require configuration.

I would be surprised if you have any choice other than some opaque tape or other opaque object to block the LED. Sorry.

link|improve this answer
I shall resign myself to the low-tech approach. – dezwart Jun 23 '09 at 3:55
feedback
up vote 7 down vote

Electrical tape. Possibly two layers, if your LEDs are anything like the ones on the HDMI switch I just bought.

link|improve this answer
Used this technique on many LED lights. Works well, cheap and quick. – Nate Jun 23 '09 at 0:10
feedback
up vote 2 down vote

Blue tak over the LED :)

In all seriousness, I've never seen a USB enclosure with any configurable options. Reason? Well, a NAS must have a back-end management solution (creating arrays, permissions, etc) which all require expensive (in context) hardware (web server, etc). A USB caddy is a "Dumb" device, it just sits there and translates instructions. It has no back-end configurations.

Your only bet is to use one of the aforementioned solutions...

link|improve this answer
Yes, that seems to be the popular solution. – dezwart Jun 23 '09 at 0:08
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

Use white out or a paint marker.

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

Turn it around.
stash it out of sight <- (also a theft deterrent).

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

Black nail polish works wonders on those horrible blue LEDs.

link|improve this answer
I can just imagine the looks if someone saw a bottle of black nail polish in my desk drawer... ;) – Mark Henderson♦ Jun 24 '09 at 0:01
Better be careful, as nail polish has acetone, which is an excellent solvent for many plastics, usually those employed in PC cases. – Manuel Ferreria Jun 24 '09 at 1:57
Nail polish remover contains acetone, typically not the nail polish itself. Nail polish is normally nitrocellulose based with butyl stearate or butanone used as the solvent. They are not very aggressive solvents like acetone is. LEDs themselves are typically encased in clear epoxy which is resistant to the vast majority of solvents. That said care should be exercised with any paint that is solvent based and test it in an inconspicuous area first. – Ausmith1 Jun 25 '09 at 0:00
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown
discard

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.