DIY Idea: PC Status monitor using optical fiber

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tearphones

Forerunner
I have a problem: I don't like RGB, so I turned off all the RGB in my CPU Case (and also because Armory Crate is a PoS, and I don't want to install Signal RGB). Now, I also have an unreliable power button on my CPU Case. So when I press the button, it is hard to see if the computer actually turned on, because the RGB is not there. Further, my desktop is under my table for space saving reasons.

What I am trying to accomplish: a reliable way to learn if I have pushd the power button correctly or not.

My Idea: buy some optical fiber, run it from the motherboard diagnostics status LEDs, and run it to the top of my table. Is this a good idea or a stupid idea? Anyone knows if a regular LED is bright enough for the optical fiber to pick it up? Any idea on whether it is safe or advisable to do this?

Behold my extremely professional diagram below:

diy-diagnostics-idea.png
 
I would say this is unnecessarily complex, you can setup both the power led and the power button as an external option. You can get a momentary switch like this and an led holder like this and mount it on the bench and run a 4 wire rainbow cable type of cable back into the case to the motherboard and you will be able to not only see the power on state but also can turn on/off the system from the table top. If you want fancy then you can add lot more to it.

The connector on the motherboard is Dupont 2.54mm Connector. You need
S.NoItemQuantityNote
1​
Dupont Berg Housing 2.54mm Connector
6​
4 for motherboard
2 for led
2​
Female Dupont 2.54mm terminal pins
6​
4 for motherboard
2 for led
3​
Wires
4 core​
As long as you need
4​
Plastic led holder
1​
3mm LED holder
5​
Momentary Switch
1​
Metal will look cool but even plastic will work.
6​
3mm led
1​
Any colour you fancy.

Most of the breadboard wire will have male pins, if you find female ones that works also as connector for the motherboard.

Hope this helps
 
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