hey guys i was wondering if i could wire up a hdd led using a resistor that is about 100 ohms instead of the required 220 ohms its all i have on hand atm. it wont fry anything right?

what are the specs on the led

if u have 2 of the 100 ohm resistors, tie them end-to-end and you have a 200ohm resistor, like so --vvvvv

--------(====)------(=====)--------

Very nicely put, crudd.

Crudd is right. it'll get pretty bulky if you're doing that trick in tight spaces.

Do you have any option of parallel resistors?
Example:

just use two of the 100ohm resistors in series (Thacrudd explains it)

do not use just a 100ohm. if you need 220, then 100 will blow your leds. with 2 resistors in parallel, then 200 is close enough to 220, so you will be fine

220 ohms? are you running it off the 12V? I've only been using like 10 and 15 ohms. And when i calculate for 2 LEDs, the most it says is 45 ohms. Everything always works for me so I was just curious.

thank you all for your responses i think i will try the connecting two resistors in a row thing. i just happen to have an old broken toy with another 100 ohm resistor so ill try that.

i believe i used just a 100ohm resistor and everything works just fine, i came off one of the unused 3.3v on the lpc port and haven't had any probs with the hd activity and network led.

//kneehighspy

i would still put 2 end-to-end b/c you don't want it to get too hot. BUT if he says 1 worked fine on his, then there are your options

i would like to see the maths involded to get you your 220ohms....

Yeah me too, 220 seems a bit high, you don't want to sink to much current to avoid damaging anything on the motherboard but I would have thought 100 ohms would be OK, assuming your using the 5V supply.

well according to my calcuations, he would be drawing .02a at 5v and .05a at 12v.

so its legit if he has only one led