The present invention is a method and system for indicating field replaceable unit status and configuration. A visible alert may be mounted on a card, in proximity to a location for a field replaceable unit. The visible alert may indicate a failed replaceable unit or a location for installation of a new replaceable unit. Supplemental power may be available on the card whereby a visible alert may be operable when an appliance, which contains the field replaceable unit, is powered down or when the card has been removed from the appliance. Additionally, an appliance in accordance with the present invention may include cards with visible alerts associated with field replaceable units. The visible alerts may be visible to an administrator without opening the chassis of the appliance.