EPoX 8KHA+ - HDD LED blinks every second - Why?

[vsfoxe]

System works fine (+/- 2 months), minimal software installed (WIN-XP Pro, MS Office, Epson 880, MBM5, Canon fb620U scangear, Nero). The HDD LED blinks (like HDD activity) once each second (counted for 2 minutes) in Antec SX1030 case.
Any ideas what may be the cause of it? It's pretty distracting. I have another 8KHA+ (WIN 98SE system - no blinks - InWinS500 case)

 

[PCHPlayer]

All my WinBlows computers do this. I think it is something to do with detecting when a CD-ROM is inserted. I think Win98 blinked once every 5 seconds, but XP seems to blink more often.

 

[tommydn]

1. You got a virus heh... it's copying itself or searching for something on your computer.

2. You've been hacked heh..... Somebody is searching through your computer for stuff...

 

[DolfanJay]

My system does this also. At first it bothered me and after trying to figure out what the hell was trying to use my Ide Channels even when I had nothing running. I just quit worrying about it. All I can figure is maybe windows sends a quick pulse through the ide to keep your drives active. I could be completely wrong though Anyways my computer and my girlfriends do the same exact thing as your system so I wouldnt worry about it. Hope this helps.

 

[vsfoxe]

tommydn: I don't think it's a virus (McAfee VirusScan 6 can't find any). It is scheduled to scan weekly, and work in the background too.

Also, I'm on Dial-up, no DSN/cable, with a firewall, and no "sharing" over my home network exists (the blinking has been going on since built - about 2 months ago).

Thanks for the ideas to consider!

 

[DaiShan]

boot it up in safe mode and see if it still blinks (I bet it doesn't) I honestly dont have this problem on any of my machines (xp,98se) what do you have running in the background? are you sure the hdd light is plugged into the right pins on the motherboard, and that it is secure?

 

[LostHiWay]

I have the exact same problem. I've even went to the extreme of formatting the drive and installing a fresh windows XP with my network uplugged. Still have the same problem. I tried Win2000 and problem went away. I still use winXP though since it doens't cause any performance loss.

 

[vsfoxe]

DaiShan: Good idea for troubleshooting! I believe the thought was that in Safe Mode, only the basics run, and whatever accesses the HD once per second would be inop, or something to that effect?

Alas, I booted in Safe Mode (F8), and it STILL blinks once per second. I verified the HDD LED is plugged into the right pins (same as my other 8KHA+ system), and it's securely plugged in. I turned the plug around and the HDD LED doesn't light at all.

PCHPlayer, DolfanJay, and LostHiWay: Glad to know mine is not the only one doing this!

 

[vsfoxe]

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Please?

 

[panhead49]

it seems to be a common thing.....my friends does the same thing( win xp) he's tryed everything to stop it or explaine to too.......i have an epox that dosent do it ...(..win 98....)
i would have to say its a win xp problem...

 

[gmarcus2001]

Blinking every 2 seconds doesn't seem to be normal. Might not
affect what you do on the PC of course but that doesn't make it alright.
First encountered this problem on Win95/98 and turned off
disc detector/auto detect and the light went away. I don't think it
is an option on WinXP but check for progs running in the background
that do similar things.