Really simple & cheap light-bar, powered and controlled from pc ( over lpt port ).

It will cost you something about $10-20 to build this
( I had the plexi and lpt cable for free, so I only paid $3 for led torch and $3 for nuts and bolts )

= killer raito fun for money

video in action

video from testing

In real world is even better looking because eyes are slower than digital camera, so it is glowing nicely.

Step 1: What We Need

8 colorful pieces of plexi-glass ( or you can use same color, they just need to be discrete, I used 10 x 7 x 0.5 cm )
2 large pieces of transparent plexi-glass ( I used 56 x 12 x 0.3 cm )
8 leds ( I ripped them off from one $3 led torch, basically use wide angle! (with 15 or 45 degree LEDs it is looking bad, use as wide as possible ), high power, white LEDs )
bolts and nuts
black spray
wires
parallel port connector ( I used one from old printer )
hack-saw
sandpapers ( 200 & 400 )

I got the small pieces actually as testing samples from a company making plexi (plexiglass.de), they gave them to me for free. Big thanks for them :-)

Step 2: Scheme & Testing

Electrical scheme is really trivial, just connect leds to the LPT (parallel port) of your computer. Lpt outputs about 5V so if you are using white or blue high power leds you don't need resistors for them, just add 10-100 ohm for safety. ( if you are using red, green or other colors, use proper resistors acording to desired voltage, usually 200-300 ohm ). Longer feet of the led is anode (+).

I had to test if the plexi is translucent enough and if it is even working, right?

check video from testing on my desk..

In real world is even better looking because eyes are slower than digital camera, so it is glowing nicely.

Step 3: Drilling & Sanding

Let's put it together, I used chewing-gum like material to fix it in place.
And drilled about 40 holes. It is better with some vertical-fixed drill for better quality. And take it slow
with plexi-glass, or train few holes on dummy piece.

Even if you did carefully drilled all holes like me, there may be not-matching edges (foto3) after putting together. It will look better if you shape them to one line. First use 180 grid sand paper if you end with big gaps like me. Then use 250 grid. Finally you can play hour or so with number 400. Until it's looking perfect.

Step 4: Paint & Wires

Clean up all the mess from sanding.
Remove protection foil from inside side of the big pieces.
Mask it properly and paint thin line to cover cables and leds.
Wire it.

Step 5: Final Foto & Software

Put it together and we are almost done.

Connect it to pc, sometimes it flashes randomly when booting.
If you are using speedfan, uninstall it.

For programmable effects I recommend you ( first half of my final video)
LPT LED EFFECT 0.9.4.beta
http://modding.cz/data/software/lle.zip

there are a lot of them, this is just example, you can select another one. Just search "lpt led". It can show your cpu / memory utilization, lots of effects, etc..

For music light show, you need a winamp plugin

a simple one
http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details/85973

Diskolitez is more customizable
http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details/8680
and here is my settings fot diskolitez if you want to try http://gigi.voatt.cz/1/case1/blik.ltr
you can even manage up to 32 leds (or big-lights) acording to plan on http://discolitez.com/

If nothing happened try if you have right parallel port adress (378) set in bios.

And if you run any OS based on the NT kernel (ie- Windows NT, 2000, or XP), you may need an additional program called Userport http://www.casemodgod.com/ModGuides/LEDmeter/userport.zip. UserPort allows you to control hardware resources (such as a parallel port), which is normally prevented in NT except by system functions. You will need to install then run UserPort and type "0x378-0x378" in the left hand box and then click "add". Then click "start" and "update". If you get a "Driver already started!" message, just click update. Now the plugins should work.

- solution found at
http://www.casemodgod.com/ModGuides/LEDmeter/led_meter_(2).htm