HDD LED Problem

[Computer Deb]

I recently installed a new mobo and processor (SOYO & AMD XP1800). Since this is the second time I have done this, I was much better than the first ... a few glitches, but I've been able to figure them out.

However, when I first installed my mobo, my LED light stayed on all the time. I turned it around (which of course means the polarity was wrong before or now) and now nothing.

I cannot tell when my system is processing, which I personally need.

I did have some problems "reinstalling" my WINXP but now I'm almost completely functional, with the exception of this.

How can I change the bulb, if that's the problem, or any other ideas how to check this?

Thanks!

[pave_spectre]

There should be 2 LEDs, one for power and one for the hard drive. The power LED should be on at all times while the computer is active, and the hard drive LED should come on while the hard drive is working. If either of the LEDs is connected incorrectly it will not come on so this is the first thing I would check, that the connecters are on the correct pins on the motherboard. Compare any writing near the motherboard pins to the picture and description of the board in the manual as well.

It is unlikely to be a blown LED, as even connected backwards it would usually take a lot of voltage to damage them. Even were this to be the case most PC cases ive seen put them in positions that make them virtually impossible to remove without some serious case bashing.

Edit-- One way to test an LED is with a multimeter or ohmmeter.
if it has a high resistance then its round the wrong way, it it has a low resistance (typically several hundred ohms) then it is round the right way.