Hi,
[long introduction, can be skipped]
I've built a media-PC with debian as a base and I'm starting to get annoyed with the access indication LED on the DVD-drive. My first instinct was to take the drive apart and unsolder the LED but then it occurred to me that this might be software controlled somehow and thought I'd google/ask random people on the street. google didn't turn up any relevant info and neither did the people I grabbed outside the convenience store, so I turn to you.

[question in short]
Is there any way to disable the DVD-drive access indicator LED via software or should I break out the soldering iron?

Thank you
/Åke

P.S. Sorry for the long introduction to the problem D.S.

Why go to all that trouble? Just put a square of heavy electrical tape over the led, or paint it over with some thick, opaque paint, and you're done. It seems that the leds are always overly-bright on the things I buy, too, and that's what I do.

For the record, I've never heard of any software control for it either. Though I suppose it could perhaps be done at the firmware level if you knew what you were doing.

Thanks for the answer,

I mainly ruled out the electrical tape solution since I thought it looked a bit ugly. I guess I could put it on the inside of the drive though...It is the simple solution and I guess I should go with it.

/Åke

That's why you buy a black case, and a black DVD drive. then the Black electrical tape blends into the system invisibly..

A bit of work with an exacto knife or razor blade should trim up the tape neatly so it won't look too bad..
or find yourself a small Linux or Tux logo sticker