A data processing system employing identify indicators associated with various components of the system. The indicator may be activated whenever a corresponding component requires maintenance, field testing, installation, replacement, and the like. The user may specify global and local conditions under which an activated identify indicator is reset. After the indicator is activated, the system monitors for the satisfaction of one of the conditions. When one of the conditions is satisfied, the system deactivates the indicator automatically. The global conditions apply across logical partitions in a logically partitioned system thereby reducing the occurrence of stale identify indicators on all partitions.