Well for starters I would like to thank everyone on this site that has given me the encouragement I needed to start modding. Thanks to sparky I have started working with electronics and even made one of those really cool usb pen lights! I know its nothing to brag about, but I put it together and it actually works!! Well my only problem is, I use it to work on my computer right? Well thats kinda hard seeing as how when I turn it off I lose the power to the usb port. Is there some way I can make it so one of my ports has power all the time? I noticed that even when the pc is off, leds where my cable is plugged into the mobo are still on.

Thanks

That's because your mobo always gets power. You could hook up the light to you mobo but you certainly won't have enough power. Just keep your PC on and folding!

You could find a 5v DC block adapter that provides sufficent amperage, and appropriately
wire it to a USB port you will need to reserve soley for providing power.

I did this for a ThreeLED USB flashpen I made, great for working
on the PC without turning on the god forsaken lights.

TekXoid could you explain that in a little further detail? sorry i am a moron when it comes to electronics.

Missed your reply. Better late than never...

Basically I nabbed a standard A-to-B USB cable from my wire closet, wired the "B" end's red and black
wires to three LED's running parallel through a resistor to knock the voltage down to the appropriate 3.5v.

Then I plugged it in through one of my spare USB ports that I have modified to work as long
as you have power at your wall outlet, by wiring a 5v DC block transformer to the header pins
that the motherboard would normally supply power to, so it is a always-on LED-flashlight
USB port while the PC is off, and still a functional USB port when the PC is on.

hrm. Interesting.

Bump for RAA_Kr1cH.

hmm.... Sorry I'm no electronics expert, or even halfway knowledgeable for that matter. It's pretty much a miracle that the flashlight even works! I kinda understand what your saying, but a diagram would be nice if you didn't mind. Thanks!

with my comp the usb power is aways on unless i unplug or turn of the power supply. i have and old FIC motherboard.

They have wallwart USB adapters. But it'd be a heckuva lot cheaper to roll you're own,

you can go to a surplus place and get one ^wall adapter^ for around 5 bux unless you already have one. i guess you could also go off of your computers 5 volt standby but that would really depend on how your power supply is designed but as long as the 5 volt rail is the same and not a seperate lower power consumption source it should be ok. but then again your probably not going to want to splice into your atx harness. so the cheap wall adapter is probably the way to go.
when ever i see a LED USB light or hear someone mention one i always think about how they are $1 (one dollar) at the dollar store and how you cant build one for that cheap without ripping stuff apart.

Quote: Originally Posted by Cyno01 They have wallwart USB adapters. But it'd be a heckuva lot cheaper to roll you're own,

Good investment if the buyer is as bad with soldering as they are in bed.

O.K. here is a quick diagram...