Is my 1.5TB external off or on when I power down?

[RJL24]

Windows 7, HP notebook,

When I turn notebook off the white light at the back of the WD 1.5tb drive blinks intermittently.

The external hdd seems not to be whirring, (I could be wrong), but I am unsure if this is what it is supposed to do, or if device is on or off.

I wish to keep things simple without having to do an additional step if possible, that is when I turn off my computer I want all my externals to turn off.  Usually I suppose no light would mean off, a white light blinking may mean ON.

What does the blinking white light coming from the back of the external drive mean?

And, how and I make it stop when the computer is off?

Thanks in advance,

[RJL24]

Neglected to mention that WD drive is connected to a hub and not directly connected to the notebook.  Too few USB ports on the notebook.

[RJL24 · Accepted solution]

Found a solution: connect the usb cable directly to the computer.  This turns off the blinking light when i power down or hibernate the computer.