T61p status lights

Searching "status lights" doesn't turn up much, and I don't see anything about them in the manual.

I was wondering about the symbol between the battery and HDD icons, the one that looks like a slanted "Z" in a circle. Also, there is a light next to the optical drive, towards the rear of the machine, that seems to stay on continuously, even in standby mode. I thought it might be a power indicator since it does go off when the machine is shut down, but I can't imagine why it would stay continuously lit in standby.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

The "Z" in a circle is the power on indicator light. so whenever your computer is on, that light is on.
The light next to the optical drive is an indicator that your ultrabay drive is conneted I believe.
I also don't like that fact that it stays on in sleep mode. It's just a waste of that precious battery power.

 

The Access help have more information about the "Status lights". ThinkVantage->Access On-system help. Then search for indicators. Just to quote it,

 

Thanks for the replies. (Pepclub - I'm ThinkVantage free, so I can't look there). I had to laugh at the light for the optical drive. It seems a little odd that the drive would require a light to tell you it's there. And I agree, it's a waste of battery. I like to leave my computer in standby often, especially on battery, and even though it probably doesn't use much power, it's still needlessly using a little.

 

It is more indicator of "Ultra bay device is on". When a device is in and not powered then this light is off. The light is consuming very very little power comparing to e.g. RAM.

BTW. I like how this is implemented. I put the notebook into standby mode. Then I pop up the handle for ultrabay device removal. The TP then wakes up windows, does a proper device disconnection in widows (the light will go off). Then the notebook would go back to standby. No need even to open the notebook! At least it was like that on my R40 3 years ago