I have a line interactive ups that I would like to setup to shut down XP

nicely if there's a power failure. The UPS service is running, the com

port is connected to the UPS, and in control panel/power

options/UPS/configure/critical alarm I have set the option to shut down

on critical alarm, 5 minutes left on battery.

 

I think this is correct but if I simulate a failure by pulling the UPS

power cord to the wall the machine simply cuts out when battery is drained.

 

Am I missing something?

"zoob" <rbz@datapimp.org> wrote in message news:f6o2v1$oek$1@news.loxinfo.co.th...

>I have a line interactive ups that I would like to setup to shut down XP nicely if

>there's a power failure. The UPS service is running, the com port is connected to

>the UPS, and in control panel/power options/UPS/configure/critical alarm I have set

>the option to shut down on critical alarm, 5 minutes left on battery.

>

> I think this is correct but if I simulate a failure by pulling the UPS power cord

> to the wall the machine simply cuts out when battery is drained.

>

> Am I missing something?

 

 

If you're using an APC UPS, check APC's site for the free PowerChute Personal

Edition. Read the documentation on it fully and carefully.

 

--

 

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

 

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

"zoob" <rbz@datapimp.org> wrote in message

news:f6o2v1$oek$1@news.loxinfo.co.th...

>I have a line interactive ups that I would like to setup to shut down XP

>nicely if there's a power failure. The UPS service is running, the com

>port is connected to the UPS, and in control panel/power

>options/UPS/configure/critical alarm I have set the option to shut down on

>critical alarm, 5 minutes left on battery.

>

> I think this is correct but if I simulate a failure by pulling the UPS

> power cord to the wall the machine simply cuts out when battery is

> drained.

>

> Am I missing something?

 

Even without the UPS to PC network connection, and the attending UPS

software, you should be able to verify battery capability.

 

With the UPS network connection disconnected, no UPS software, you should be

able to:

Turn off the UPS with either a switch or pulling the plug from the wall.

The UPS should react with some kind of audible alarm, and keep the PC on for

a few minutes before the battery is below power level to support the PC any

longer. This should be verified first.

 

Then, install the UPS network connection and UPS software. Its purpose is

to turn off the PC when you are not present if power fails.

 

The indication I see, based on your input, is your UPS is not working or the

battery is not up to snuff to support the PC and whatever else is connected

to it. At minimum, you need the PC and the monitor connected to the UPS to

see XP shutdown.

Dave

The brand and capacity of the UPS might be helpful, any UPS software being

used and the equipment plugged into the UPS. The UPS could be underpowered

for example and your run-time less than 5 minutes even at full charge.

 

The options that show up in Power options are not the same for every USP

brand, eg. the options that appeared for my APC brand UPS were nothing like

what you posted (and installing Powerchute software subsequently removed all

of them).

 

Some UPS and power conditioners require that the ground always be connected

in order to function properly.. IOW unplugging the UPS wouldn't properly

simulate a power-out but cutting the circuit breaker for the wall outlet

would.

 

 

"zoob" <rbz@datapimp.org> wrote in message

news:f6o2v1$oek$1@news.loxinfo.co.th...

>I have a line interactive ups that I would like to setup to shut down XP

>nicely if there's a power failure. The UPS service is running, the com

>port is connected to the UPS, and in control panel/power

>options/UPS/configure/critical alarm I have set the option to shut down on

>critical alarm, 5 minutes left on battery.

>

> I think this is correct but if I simulate a failure by pulling the UPS

> power cord to the wall the machine simply cuts out when battery is

> drained.

>

> Am I missing something?

It's a Socomec-Sicon EGYS-LP 1000, 1000VA model. Workstation and monitor

plugged in. When I turn off the circuit breaker, an alarm sound

regularly, and the machine remains powered for approximately 12 minutes

before it quits.

 

I'm not using any software other than the builtin XP control panel-when

I looked at it it seemed to fit the bill. Am I wrong?

 

RalfG wrote:

> The brand and capacity of the UPS might be helpful, any UPS software being

> used and the equipment plugged into the UPS. The UPS could be underpowered

> for example and your run-time less than 5 minutes even at full charge.

>

> The options that show up in Power options are not the same for every USP

> brand, eg. the options that appeared for my APC brand UPS were nothing like

> what you posted (and installing Powerchute software subsequently removed all

> of them).

>

> Some UPS and power conditioners require that the ground always be connected

> in order to function properly.. IOW unplugging the UPS wouldn't properly

> simulate a power-out but cutting the circuit breaker for the wall outlet

> would.

>

>

> "zoob" <rbz@datapimp.org> wrote in message

> news:f6o2v1$oek$1@news.loxinfo.co.th...

>> I have a line interactive ups that I would like to setup to shut down XP

>> nicely if there's a power failure. The UPS service is running, the com

>> port is connected to the UPS, and in control panel/power

>> options/UPS/configure/critical alarm I have set the option to shut down on

>> critical alarm, 5 minutes left on battery.

>>

>> I think this is correct but if I simulate a failure by pulling the UPS

>> power cord to the wall the machine simply cuts out when battery is

>> drained.

>>

>> Am I missing something?

>

>

zoob wrote:

> It's a Socomec-Sicon EGYS-LP 1000, 1000VA model. Workstation and monitor

> plugged in. When I turn off the circuit breaker, an alarm sound

> regularly, and the machine remains powered for approximately 12 minutes

> before it quits.

>

> I'm not using any software other than the builtin XP control panel-when

> I looked at it it seemed to fit the bill. Am I wrong?

 

There is a software called "UNI Vision", which they claim is available

from their web site.

 

http://www.socomec.fr/documentation/documents/dcg_84033_logiciels.pdf

 

You can try typing your UPS serial number here, to gain access to the

software. I cannot test this, because I don't have a serial number :-)

 

http://www.socomec.fr/catalogue/produits/p_ups_univision_form_gb.htm

 

Paul

>

> RalfG wrote:

>> The brand and capacity of the UPS might be helpful, any UPS software

>> being used and the equipment plugged into the UPS. The UPS could be

>> underpowered for example and your run-time less than 5 minutes even at

>> full charge.

>>

>> The options that show up in Power options are not the same for every

>> USP brand, eg. the options that appeared for my APC brand UPS were

>> nothing like what you posted (and installing Powerchute software

>> subsequently removed all of them).

>>

>> Some UPS and power conditioners require that the ground always be

>> connected in order to function properly.. IOW unplugging the UPS

>> wouldn't properly simulate a power-out but cutting the circuit breaker

>> for the wall outlet would.

>>

>>

>> "zoob" <rbz@datapimp.org> wrote in message

>> news:f6o2v1$oek$1@news.loxinfo.co.th...

>>> I have a line interactive ups that I would like to setup to shut down

>>> XP nicely if there's a power failure. The UPS service is running,

>>> the com port is connected to the UPS, and in control panel/power

>>> options/UPS/configure/critical alarm I have set the option to shut

>>> down on critical alarm, 5 minutes left on battery.

>>>

>>> I think this is correct but if I simulate a failure by pulling the

>>> UPS power cord to the wall the machine simply cuts out when battery

>>> is drained.

>>>

>>> Am I missing something?

>>

>>

You need to have software that will receive the notification from the UPS

and set it to shut down the PC after so many minutes without power.

Setting it to shutdown with 5 mins left on battery is not a good idea. How

does the software know the battery life?

As the battery ages, it will have less capacity.

I believe I have all my servers set to 7 mins without power and the UPS can

supposedly run them for 13-15 mins. But it takes a little while to do the

shutdown routine. I'd rather be safe than sorry...

--

A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!

CarGodZeroOne@hotmail.com

Change Alpha to Numeric to reply

 

"zoob" <rbz@datapimp.org> wrote in message

news:f6ohl5$tan$1@news.loxinfo.co.th...

> It's a Socomec-Sicon EGYS-LP 1000, 1000VA model. Workstation and monitor

> plugged in. When I turn off the circuit breaker, an alarm sound

> regularly, and the machine remains powered for approximately 12 minutes

> before it quits.

>

> I'm not using any software other than the builtin XP control panel-when I

> looked at it it seemed to fit the bill. Am I wrong?

>

> RalfG wrote:

>> The brand and capacity of the UPS might be helpful, any UPS software

>> being used and the equipment plugged into the UPS. The UPS could be

>> underpowered for example and your run-time less than 5 minutes even at

>> full charge.

>>

>> The options that show up in Power options are not the same for every USP

>> brand, eg. the options that appeared for my APC brand UPS were nothing

>> like what you posted (and installing Powerchute software subsequently

>> removed all of them).

>>

>> Some UPS and power conditioners require that the ground always be

>> connected in order to function properly.. IOW unplugging the UPS wouldn't

>> properly simulate a power-out but cutting the circuit breaker for the

>> wall outlet would.

>>

>>

>> "zoob" <rbz@datapimp.org> wrote in message

>> news:f6o2v1$oek$1@news.loxinfo.co.th...

>>> I have a line interactive ups that I would like to setup to shut down XP

>>> nicely if there's a power failure. The UPS service is running, the com

>>> port is connected to the UPS, and in control panel/power

>>> options/UPS/configure/critical alarm I have set the option to shut down

>>> on critical alarm, 5 minutes left on battery.

>>>

>>> I think this is correct but if I simulate a failure by pulling the UPS

>>> power cord to the wall the machine simply cuts out when battery is

>>> drained.

>>>

>>> Am I missing something?

>>

I'm like you in that respect in that I would also have assumed the available

power options in Windows would be sufficient. My UPS has abundant

monitoring capabilities built in, so the battery charge level is reported to

XP. There are audible warning levels which were set to go off at 50% charge

and 10% respectively including selectable responses for each level. As well

as that it has time based actions, to put into standby or hybernate

individual components like monitor, harddrives, computer, after x,y,z

minutes respectively.

 

After reading your situation I decided to install the Powerchute monitoring

software that came with the UPS to see what it was about. Though it reports

more UPS status information than Windows provided me(nothing I couldn't see

on the UPS front panel display anyway) I now actually have fewer shutdown

options that I can select. Estimated runtime is one of the things Powerchute

does monitor so I have it set to shut down when 5 minutes remains. I don't

intend to test it. :-)

 

 

"zoob" <rbz@datapimp.org> wrote in message

news:f6ohl5$tan$1@news.loxinfo.co.th...

> It's a Socomec-Sicon EGYS-LP 1000, 1000VA model. Workstation and monitor

> plugged in. When I turn off the circuit breaker, an alarm sound

> regularly, and the machine remains powered for approximately 12 minutes

> before it quits.

>

> I'm not using any software other than the builtin XP control panel-when I

> looked at it it seemed to fit the bill. Am I wrong?

>

> RalfG wrote:

>> The brand and capacity of the UPS might be helpful, any UPS software

>> being used and the equipment plugged into the UPS. The UPS could be

>> underpowered for example and your run-time less than 5 minutes even at

>> full charge.

>>

>> The options that show up in Power options are not the same for every USP

>> brand, eg. the options that appeared for my APC brand UPS were nothing

>> like what you posted (and installing Powerchute software subsequently

>> removed all of them).

>>

>> Some UPS and power conditioners require that the ground always be

>> connected in order to function properly.. IOW unplugging the UPS wouldn't

>> properly simulate a power-out but cutting the circuit breaker for the

>> wall outlet would.

>>

>>

>> "zoob" <rbz@datapimp.org> wrote in message

>> news:f6o2v1$oek$1@news.loxinfo.co.th...

>>> I have a line interactive ups that I would like to setup to shut down XP

>>> nicely if there's a power failure. The UPS service is running, the com

>>> port is connected to the UPS, and in control panel/power

>>> options/UPS/configure/critical alarm I have set the option to shut down

>>> on critical alarm, 5 minutes left on battery.

>>>

>>> I think this is correct but if I simulate a failure by pulling the UPS

>>> power cord to the wall the machine simply cuts out when battery is

>>> drained.

>>>

>>> Am I missing something?

>>

"zoob" wrote in message news:f6o2v1$oek$1@news.loxinfo.co.th...

>I have a line interactive ups that I would like to setup to shut down

>XP nicely if there's a power failure. The UPS service is running, the

>com port is connected to the UPS, and in control panel/power

>options/UPS/configure/critical alarm I have set the option to shut down

>on critical alarm, 5 minutes left on battery.

>

> I think this is correct but if I simulate a failure by pulling the UPS

> power cord to the wall the machine simply cuts out when battery is

> drained.

>

> Am I missing something?

 

 

How old are the batteries in the UPS? I end up having to change out

mine about every 3 years because they become too weak after awhile (the

uptime becomes shorter and shorter until eventually there isn't any).

The ones that I've bought allowed me to take them apart to get at the

battery to replace it. Usually BatteriesPlus had a replacement so I

didn't have to pay the exhorbitant price from the UPS maker.

 

Could be there isn't enough oomph in the batteries to keep the UPS

running for the 5-minute interval. Could be there isn't even enough

juice from the batteries to allow time for the software to properly

shutdown Windows (but that could also happen if the amperage draw of the

computer far exceeded the capacity of the UPS; i.e., you are draining

the current way too fast with an undersized UPS). Does the UPS software

show running time or remaining time (so you can see its guess as to how

long it will keep the computer running during a power outage)? That's

just a guess. If the computer doesn't shutdown immediately when you

yank the power cord to the UPS, and without changing what other software

is running on the computer during the test, watch the UPS software to

monitor the run time to see how closely it matches wall time. If it

starts guessing the runtime will be 30 minutes but it drops faster than

wall time and you only get 5 minutes of actual runtime then the

batteries are too weak.

"zoob" wrote in message news:f6ohl5$tan$1@news.loxinfo.co.th...

> It's a Socomec-Sicon EGYS-LP 1000, 1000VA model. Workstation and

> monitor plugged in. When I turn off the circuit breaker, an alarm

> sound regularly, and the machine remains powered for approximately 12

> minutes before it quits.

>

> I'm not using any software other than the builtin XP control

> panel-when I looked at it it seemed to fit the bill. Am I wrong?

 

Wrong, the built-in UPS software included in Windows works only with APC

devices. You will need to install the software for your particular

non-APC device. Just like a nVidia video card can't use ATI drivers,

you need to match the software/driver with the device that it supports.

If you look at the drop-down list of available UPS makers, APC is the

only one listed. There is a "generic" entry but it probably uses the

same communications protocol (commands) and assumes the same serial port

pinout for an APC device. Sounds like you really have no software

control over the UPS.

 

UPS'es too often use their own wiring and signal order on those wires.

They may provide a serial cable which connects to the COM port on your

computer but the other end is not a serial port and the wiring gets

changed within the cable (so you also need the matching serial cable

provided with the UPS rather than some generic serial cable). With a

UPS that uses a standard COM cable, it doesn't matter which end you

connect to the computer and UPS, but with a specialized cable then you

need to make sure the "UPS" end goes to the UPS and the "COM" end goes

to the serial port on the computer. If the UPS provides RJ11 (network)

or USB connections, use those instead.