From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
I am on Arch Linux and I want to disable this activity indicator light on a WD hard drive. I know there is a software on Windows for doing that, but since I am on Linux, how could I do it? This light is annoying when I am in a dark room.
There’s nothing which duct tape can’t fix.
Right, in my field it's gaffer tape but the same principle applies.
We call it Jesus tape.
I'd recommend an strip of paper or plastic, ideally with adhesive on one side. Ideally a dark color, like black.
Who are you, who are so wise in the ways of science?
Try brightnessctl. If it does not recognize it, go with some tape I guess.
Black electrical tape, work better than any software
You know those rubber feet things you can get that you put on furniture legs? I love those. Block out the LED lights on the air conditioning in the bedroom, computers, etc.
I think black nail polish can work too, if you know any BTGGs.
The age old solution of TAPE.
why not a tape, black, for electrical things
If it moves and it's not supposed to: duct tape. If it doesn't move and is supposed to: wd40
If they don't find ya handsome, they should find you handy.
Perfect answer, no need for me to scroll further.
Orient it so the LED is facing away from you, with the LED facing a surface covered with Vantablack or some such equivalent. This saves on tape etc...
Probably no one's thought of this yet, but i'm going to say black electrical tape. If you put it over your eyes it takes care of all your devices at once.
gaff tape
This is the only correct answer.
Painters tape and a sharpie. Layered.
-Autist with severe light sensitivity
Matte black nail polish....works there and on annoying Bluetooth lights
Open it up and desolder the led?
Did anyone suggest using black electrical tape yet?
ITT
comments stating to open up the drive and disconnect the LED: 2
comments stating to try and change the firmware: 1
comments stating to use tape or nail polish: jfc so many comments
Have a friend stand in front of it
A friend, with a benefit.
Yeah, a light blocking friend.
Arch users dont have friends
My favourite answer
For an actual answer, it looks like WD has something called wdckit that is available on request.
I see a corresponding AUR entry that looks like it's grabbing some zip from a personal Russian CDN. Super sketchy looking tbh.
But it's possible this tool has whatever functionality the windows WD Utility uses to toggle the light in the drive's firmware.
IMO, it's not worth it. I'd just go the electrical tape route and maybe ask WD Customer Support if there's a way, and if not, ask that they support Linux better in the future.
Wow this is the exact perfect example of why someone should install from AUR as less as possible, manually checking the pkgbuild and not just "yay yolo"
In this case the archive seems to be clean and be what wd would send if contacted, (even Windows versions are in the zip)
Btw WTF WD. Why making a tool and its documentation only available on request?? It is nothing special, more or less do the same stuff that the GUI can do (show details, send erase command, send ATA password command).
It doesn't seem to be able to disable the activity LED
Black pen. Black sharpie. Black electrical tape. Black duct tape. Black roofing felt. Black tar. Black hole.
Brown electrical tape, if you don't have black electrical tape.
A piece of black, electrical tape
Have you tried plucking your eyes out?
Based on the other comments here I'd suggest black electrical tape over the eyes first
Just empty the ~~blinker~~ led fluid.
Close your eyes
Huh!, just Disconnect the drive from power source and it will OFF.
.