iMac and eMac power lights indicate status

  • Last Modified: September 04, 2008
  • Article: HT3016
  • Old Article: 58016

Summary

iMacs that have cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors have a lighted power button at the bottom right of the monitor that changes color and/or pulses depending upon the computer's status.

iMacs that have flat-panel displays and eMacs have an LED at the bottom right of the display that lights up or pulses depending up on the computer's status.

 

Note: The iMac (Mid 2007) models do not have an LED on the front bezel to indicate status.

Products Affected

iMac, eMac

Model Startup Normal Operation Display Sleep Mode Energy Saver Mode
iMac 233 MHz
iMac 266 MHz
iMac 333 MHz		 steady amber steady green steady amber steady amber
iMac (Slot Loading)
iMac (Summer 2000)		 steady green steady green steady green pulsing amber
iMac (Early 2001)
iMac (Summer 2001)		 steady white steady white steady white pulsing white
iMac (Flat Panel) steady white steady white steady white pulsing white
iMac (17-inch Flat Panel)
iMac (17-inch 1GHz)
iMac (USB 2.0)		 no LED no LED no LED pulsing white
iMac G5
iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor)
iMac G5 (iSight)
iMac (Early 2006)
iMac (Mid 2006)
iMac (Late 2006)		 steady white no LED steady white pulsing white
eMac
eMac (ATI Graphics)
eMac (USB 2.0)
eMac (2005)		 steady white steady white steady white pulsing white

Notes

  1. The Power button on an Apple USB Keyboard does not light up, and does not change depending on the computer's status. The Apple Pro Keyboard has no power button or indicator light.
  2. The parenthetical product descriptions (Summer 2000) and (Summer 2001) refer to the summer of the Northern Hemisphere.

Additional Information

For more information on the iMac computer's power button, see technical document 25124: "iMac (Slot Loading): Network Activities Prevent Deep Sleep Mode"

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