UPS shutdown procedure

  • Thread starter Thread starter DeanB
  • Start date Start date
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DeanB

Hello all,

I just tested the shutdown procedure for an APC RS900 power supply,
the driver for which was automatically installed when I plugged it
into the USB port. I set it to shut down at 10% remaining power, and
watched it run down as a test.

When it shut down at 10%, the machine basically when blank and turned
off immediately, rather than going through the usual windows logoff
and shutdown procedure. Is this normal?

Thanks

Dean
 
No it is not normal, it should be an orderly shutdown and not just lights
out.
You should have a CD with software which I suspect you did not install.
Also read the users manual on how to configure the UPS software for a proper
shutdown.

JS
 
I have a UPS attached to my PC but actually haven't got round to testing it,
as of yet. The purpose, as I understand it, of the UPS is to provide a
battery backup should the power supply be interrupted. The battery will last
from 10 minutes upwards depending upon the make, and obviously price, of the
UPS you purchased. When the power is interrupted the UPS kicks in to keep
your system running long enough for you to manually save files and close
down (that's how I understand its function). If, during this time, you do
nothing the battery power drains and your PC gets abruptly turned off in the
same way it would if you simply tripped the switch on the power plug.

As far as I am aware, and someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I am not
aware of a UPS that will automatically shut your pc down for you when the
power interrupts or battery power is low, so when you ask 'is this normal' I
would have to say, yes I is.


--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
John:

I use APC at home, and we have them on the servers at work. The software
that comes with it is Powerchute, if you choose to install and use it.

At home, I have Powerchute programmed to shut down the pc automatically
after 5 minutes, and it does a graceful shutdown.

Tom
:
: As far as I am aware, and someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I am not
: aware of a UPS that will automatically shut your pc down for you when the
: power interrupts or battery power is low, so when you ask 'is this normal'
I
: would have to say, yes I is.
:
:
: --
: --
: John Barnett MVP
: Associate Expert
: Windows - Shell/User
:
: Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
: Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
:
: The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
: kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
: reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable
for
: any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of
the
: use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
: mail/post..
:
:
: : > Hello all,
: >
: > I just tested the shutdown procedure for an APC RS900 power supply,
: > the driver for which was automatically installed when I plugged it
: > into the USB port. I set it to shut down at 10% remaining power, and
: > watched it run down as a test.
: >
: > When it shut down at 10%, the machine basically when blank and turned
: > off immediately, rather than going through the usual windows logoff
: > and shutdown procedure. Is this normal?
: >
: > Thanks
: >
: > Dean
:
 
Have used both APC and Triplite, both have software that provides a graceful
shutdown.

JS








- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Ok, I just plugged it in and Windows installed a little PnP power app
in the system settings folder. I will try the installation disk
next... I'll update what I find.

Thanks all for the advice

Dean
 
Tom, as I indicated in my original post I haven't had time to play around
with this UPS which, incidentally, is a Mustek Powermust 600 USB. Yes a CD
(called WinPower) did come with it and it is installed but from what I can
see so far all it gives me is details of power spikes and power performance.
I'll have to check it ou more thoroughly.

Actually I only got it because my previous PC blew due to a power surge and
the guy in the computer shop recommended this model of UPS as a safeguard.
Amazing I've been running PCs for the best part of 15 years and never lost
one to power surge with the exception of this last one:-)


--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

Tom [Pepper] Willett said:
John:

I use APC at home, and we have them on the servers at work. The software
that comes with it is Powerchute, if you choose to install and use it.

At home, I have Powerchute programmed to shut down the pc automatically
after 5 minutes, and it does a graceful shutdown.

Tom
:
: As far as I am aware, and someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I am not
: aware of a UPS that will automatically shut your pc down for you when
the
: power interrupts or battery power is low, so when you ask 'is this
normal'
I
: would have to say, yes I is.
:
:
: --
: --
: John Barnett MVP
: Associate Expert
: Windows - Shell/User
:
: Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
: Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
:
: The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of
any
: kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
: reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable
for
: any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of
the
: use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
: mail/post..
:
:
:
: > Hello all,
: >
: > I just tested the shutdown procedure for an APC RS900 power supply,
: > the driver for which was automatically installed when I plugged it
: > into the USB port. I set it to shut down at 10% remaining power, and
: > watched it run down as a test.
: >
: > When it shut down at 10%, the machine basically when blank and turned
: > off immediately, rather than going through the usual windows logoff
: > and shutdown procedure. Is this normal?
: >
: > Thanks
: >
: > Dean
:
Click to expand...
 
Also if your UPS doesnt have the capacity to cope with the pwr used by your
PC it will shut down immediately ie no proper / gracefull shutdown

Have used both APC and Triplite, both have software that provides a
graceful
shutdown.

JS

message






- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Ok, I just plugged it in and Windows installed a little PnP power app
in the system settings folder. I will try the installation disk
next... I'll update what I find.

Thanks all for the advice

Dean
 
I've just checked the UPS software and it isn't recording anything; as far
as the software is concerned no UPS is connected. Originally I connected by
USB cable but started running out of USB ports so changed to serial port
connection. I have now changed back to USB connection and the software is
recording as it should be. On further investigation I can see that the
system 'should' shutdown the PC normally when the battery power kicks in (or
is exhausted).

My apologies to DeanB for giving him incorrect information. The correct
reply should have been that 'no this is not normal'

Again my apologies


--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

Tom [Pepper] Willett said:
John:

I use APC at home, and we have them on the servers at work. The software
that comes with it is Powerchute, if you choose to install and use it.

At home, I have Powerchute programmed to shut down the pc automatically
after 5 minutes, and it does a graceful shutdown.

Tom
:
: As far as I am aware, and someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I am not
: aware of a UPS that will automatically shut your pc down for you when
the
: power interrupts or battery power is low, so when you ask 'is this
normal'
I
: would have to say, yes I is.
:
:
: --
: --
: John Barnett MVP
: Associate Expert
: Windows - Shell/User
:
: Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
: Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
:
: The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of
any
: kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
: reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable
for
: any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of
the
: use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
: mail/post..
:
:
:
: > Hello all,
: >
: > I just tested the shutdown procedure for an APC RS900 power supply,
: > the driver for which was automatically installed when I plugged it
: > into the USB port. I set it to shut down at 10% remaining power, and
: > watched it run down as a test.
: >
: > When it shut down at 10%, the machine basically when blank and turned
: > off immediately, rather than going through the usual windows logoff
: > and shutdown procedure. Is this normal?
: >
: > Thanks
: >
: > Dean
:
Click to expand...
 
An APC UPS here and have PowerChute programmed to shut the Computer down
when the Back-Up's power reserve drops to 5 remaining minutes. If I'm at
the computer I'll stop any work I'm doing at a "thought end" time and shut
down the computer and printer. If I'm not working at the time and hear the
UPS alarm I'll shut the computer and associated hardware down otherwise the
computer will stay on until there is 5 remaining minutes of backup power
then it does a normal Windows XP shutdown. I think it also shuts itself
down at that time, maybe not. Our phone system requires 120AC to continue
to operate. It's a Siemens two line phone with 5 cordless remote handsets.
(Considering adding a sixth ext in the garage)
 
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