Solved PC Activity Desktop Graphic

[MourningStar]

Hi - On my pc tower there is a small light (near the lighted power button) that flickers and I believe this indicates that there is pc 'activity' going on. However, my computer tower is out-of-view and there are times when I question if my machine has halted. So, I seek a small, lightweight desktop dynamic icon/app that emulates that activity light. Is there anything out there?

-thnx

 

[kbrady1979]

That is the hard drive activity LED. It "flickers" when there is data being read from or written to the hard drive. I don't know of a program that will emulate that light, but there are several Hard Drive monitors that show a graph and show activity. As far as your machine halted, I assume you mean hanging up? The little spinning wheel that takes place of the mouse pointer will let you know if it has or not. It's not terribly important that you keep a close eye on the HDD activity light honestly, but if you still want a hard drive monitor, I'm sure we can find you one.

 

[MourningStar]

... It's not terribly important that you keep a close eye on the HDD activity light honestly, but if you still want a hard drive monitor, I'm sure we can find you one.

I do - nothing fancy, something tiny (~50 pixels) to be placed in a corner of the screen. Afterall, that light has been installed on every machine as far back as the computer stone-age (and continues to this day).

 

[HAVOC]

Windows Desktop Gadgets - Drives Meter Gadgets Version 4.2

Will this work?

 

[kbrady1979]

Windows Desktop Gadgets - Drives Meter Gadgets Version 4.2

Will this work?

That is what I was going to recommend. I used it for years because of it's functionality and I don't find it bothersome. You can resize it to any % you want, change the colors, graphs, etc. There are other Meters made by the same person that can monitor your CPU/RAM, Network, and your GPU. I would suggest the CPU/RAM along with the drive meter.

 

[MourningStar]

^^
thnx h & k - yeah, I knew about those, very fancy. until/if someone designs a small led activity emulator desktop graphic, those will do.

 

[HAVOC]

It would be nice if there was a smallish gadget with just lights for disk activity, and maybe network activity. The only ones I found had graphs and other information that I don't need so I never installed them.

 

[MourningStar]

It would be nice if there was a smallish gadget with just lights for disk activity, and maybe network activity. The only ones I found had graphs and other information that I don't need so I never installed them.

Agreed - if a guru can design those fancy-schmancy graphs and stuff (cpu temps, ram etc.), how hard can it be to come up with a tiny activity light? thnx.

 

[Bongo]

Here are 2 I found.
Stone Oakvalley Studios - One Crazy Multi Talent



Activity Indicator | Free Security & Utilities software downloads at SourceForge.net


Jerry

 

[MourningStar]

Here are 2 I found.
Stone Oakvalley Studios - One Crazy Multi Talent

perfect - thnx Jerry!!!!!

 

[Bongo]

You're Welcome, That 1 is very customizable

 

[MourningStar]

You're Welcome, That 1 is very customizable

yes - and it satisfies the OP's request for 'Desktop'.

 

[HAVOC]

Nice find Bongo.

 

[Bongo]

Thanks HAVOC

 

[MourningStar]

Just some follow-up: that activity light normally indicates more specifically "Hard drive" activity going on (read/write), it usually has nothing to do with the CPU, etc

Got this comment in an email today - thoughts anyone?


(hmmm, I am aware that the hd spins the entire time the computer is on, but I doubt that just 'spinning' indicates the 'activity' in question)