OT: APC BK650MI ...

[Guest RJK]

Anyone know how to get XP Home to automatically shut-down, when there is a

power outage ?

 

Years ago I bought an APC Back-UPS 650 (not the "pro" version i.e. it didn't

come with Powerchute CD and serial lead,...there is however a female RS232

port on the back of it.)

....I just bought on ebay, for 90p, an "APC basic signalling lead," which I

understand is an RS 232 with unusual pin-outs and a resistor across two pins

somewhere ! i.e. it's an APC 944-0020C

http://www.apc.com/support/faq.cfm#5

 

....and it's now plugged in ! I suspect there is some sort of comminication

on the RS2323 lead, because if I go into XP power management | UPS tab and

change COM 1 to COM 5 I get an error message on the UPS tab in XP Power

management. I've selected APC Back-UPS in Power management, and any change

in settings in there, takes a good half minute before the timer bottle goes

away.

 

....anyhow, cutting the mains power so that the battery kicks in, does not

produce any messages on screen.

I haven't been able to install the APC Powerchute software. i.e. I've

downloaded several versions and tried them, and each one says "unable to

locate an APC battery on a USB port" !! ...so I've tried locating an older

version that hopefully will detect an RS232 port.

 

....any clues gratefully accepted !

 

regards, Richard

[Guest RJK]

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

"RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:%23tcBug4uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> Anyone know how to get XP Home to automatically shut-down, when there is a

> power outage ?

>

> Years ago I bought an APC Back-UPS 650 (not the "pro" version i.e. it

> didn't come with Powerchute CD and serial lead,...there is however a

> female RS232 port on the back of it.)

> ...I just bought on ebay, for 90p, an "APC basic signalling lead," which

> I understand is an RS 232 with unusual pin-outs and a resistor across two

> pins somewhere ! i.e. it's an APC 944-0020C

> http://www.apc.com/support/faq.cfm#5

>

> ...and it's now plugged in ! I suspect there is some sort of

> comminication on the RS2323 lead, because if I go into XP power management

> | UPS tab and change COM 1 to COM 5 I get an error message on the UPS tab

> in XP Power management. I've selected APC Back-UPS in Power management,

> and any change in settings in there, takes a good half minute before the

> timer bottle goes away.

>

> ...anyhow, cutting the mains power so that the battery kicks in, does not

> produce any messages on screen.

> I haven't been able to install the APC Powerchute software. i.e. I've

> downloaded several versions and tried them, and each one says "unable to

> locate an APC battery on a USB port" !! ...so I've tried locating an

> older version that hopefully will detect an RS232 port.

>

> ...any clues gratefully accepted !

>

> regards, Richard

>

 

Well folks, (for those of you that may have cast an eye on my OP),...

 

It was a MESSY affair, this APC - RS232 "simple UPS controller cable" based

shutdown facility but, after trying almost every software download at

http://www.apcc.com , I finally got a result with their business edition Powerchute

download ! The readme file that came with it alerted me to change to

"correct" COM1 port settings in XP, then I had to install 3 applications !

.....

This removed the XP ups.exe service, (which was talking to my UPS but

wouldn't make it do anything as far as I could tell - or perhaps I just

didn't leave the mains power cut off for long enough), and this APC Business

edition install identified my UPS at 127.0.0.251 ...wherever that is !

After tweaking other settings in this mysterious software, ...when I cut

power at the mains switch :-

Battery kicks in as usual & the unit starts bleeping, ..as usual,

Little red "APC" icon in system tray starts blinking & alternating between

"APC" and a yellow warning triangle for a short time, then changes to a red

warning symbol, then XP shuts down, then UPS pretends to be dead and makes a

slightly different bleep, ...indicating there is no mains power ?!

....it seems that the APC Business edition console application has to be

running - so I've dragged that into "startup."

 

....So it's only taken me 10 years, ...hang on, I've been living here 13

years, and I'm sure bought the thing quite a few years before that !!!

...oh well, it took a while but, I finally got that APC cable from eaby for

90 pence, and now it's all ready for this winter !!!

 

regards, Richard

[Guest RJK]

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

....but, then of course, I would prefer to uninstall the APC software, and

put MS's ups.exe service back in but, having urmmaged:-

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=ups.exe+site%3Amicrosoft.com&meta=

I can't find any information on how ups.exe behaves, and when and what it

does if there is a prolonged power outage.

....and apparantly there is only one switch for ups.exe to specify which COM

port the UPS is on !

....any further knowlwdge on this issue would be helpful :-)

 

regards, Richard

 

 

 

"RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:%238Gm9U6uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> "RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

> news:%23tcBug4uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> Anyone know how to get XP Home to automatically shut-down, when there is

>> a power outage ?

>>

>> Years ago I bought an APC Back-UPS 650 (not the "pro" version i.e. it

>> didn't come with Powerchute CD and serial lead,...there is however a

>> female RS232 port on the back of it.)

>> ...I just bought on ebay, for 90p, an "APC basic signalling lead," which

>> I understand is an RS 232 with unusual pin-outs and a resistor across two

>> pins somewhere ! i.e. it's an APC 944-0020C

>> http://www.apc.com/support/faq.cfm#5

>>

>> ...and it's now plugged in ! I suspect there is some sort of

>> comminication on the RS2323 lead, because if I go into XP power

>> management | UPS tab and change COM 1 to COM 5 I get an error message on

>> the UPS tab in XP Power management. I've selected APC Back-UPS in Power

>> management, and any change in settings in there, takes a good half minute

>> before the timer bottle goes away.

>>

>> ...anyhow, cutting the mains power so that the battery kicks in, does not

>> produce any messages on screen.

>> I haven't been able to install the APC Powerchute software. i.e. I've

>> downloaded several versions and tried them, and each one says "unable to

>> locate an APC battery on a USB port" !! ...so I've tried locating an

>> older version that hopefully will detect an RS232 port.

>>

>> ...any clues gratefully accepted !

>>

>> regards, Richard

>>

>

> Well folks, (for those of you that may have cast an eye on my OP),...

>

> It was a MESSY affair, this APC - RS232 "simple UPS controller cable"

> based shutdown facility but, after trying almost every software download

> at http://www.apcc.com , I finally got a result with their business edition

> Powerchute download ! The readme file that came with it alerted me to

> change to "correct" COM1 port settings in XP, then I had to install 3

> applications ! ....

> This removed the XP ups.exe service, (which was talking to my UPS but

> wouldn't make it do anything as far as I could tell - or perhaps I just

> didn't leave the mains power cut off for long enough), and this APC

> Business edition install identified my UPS at 127.0.0.251 ...wherever

> that is !

> After tweaking other settings in this mysterious software, ...when I cut

> power at the mains switch :-

> Battery kicks in as usual & the unit starts bleeping, ..as usual,

> Little red "APC" icon in system tray starts blinking & alternating between

> "APC" and a yellow warning triangle for a short time, then changes to a

> red warning symbol, then XP shuts down, then UPS pretends to be dead and

> makes a slightly different bleep, ...indicating there is no mains power ?!

> ...it seems that the APC Business edition console application has to be

> running - so I've dragged that into "startup."

>

> ...So it's only taken me 10 years, ...hang on, I've been living here 13

> years, and I'm sure bought the thing quite a few years before that !!!

> ..oh well, it took a while but, I finally got that APC cable from eaby for

> 90 pence, and now it's all ready for this winter !!!

>

> regards, Richard

>

[Guest Bob I]

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

I suggest reviewing the information available in Windows Help and

Support. Just look up UPS and click the links.

 

RJK wrote:

> ...but, then of course, I would prefer to uninstall the APC software, and

> put MS's ups.exe service back in but, having urmmaged:-

> http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=ups.exe+site%3Amicrosoft.com&meta=

> I can't find any information on how ups.exe behaves, and when and what it

> does if there is a prolonged power outage.

> ...and apparantly there is only one switch for ups.exe to specify which COM

> port the UPS is on !

> ...any further knowlwdge on this issue would be helpful :-)

>

> regards, Richard

>

>

>

> "RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

> news:%238Gm9U6uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>

>>"RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>>news:%23tcBug4uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>

>>>Anyone know how to get XP Home to automatically shut-down, when there is

>>>a power outage ?

>>>

>>>Years ago I bought an APC Back-UPS 650 (not the "pro" version i.e. it

>>>didn't come with Powerchute CD and serial lead,...there is however a

>>>female RS232 port on the back of it.)

>>>...I just bought on ebay, for 90p, an "APC basic signalling lead," which

>>>I understand is an RS 232 with unusual pin-outs and a resistor across two

>>>pins somewhere ! i.e. it's an APC 944-0020C

>>>http://www.apc.com/support/faq.cfm#5

>>>

>>>...and it's now plugged in ! I suspect there is some sort of

>>>comminication on the RS2323 lead, because if I go into XP power

>>>management | UPS tab and change COM 1 to COM 5 I get an error message on

>>>the UPS tab in XP Power management. I've selected APC Back-UPS in Power

>>>management, and any change in settings in there, takes a good half minute

>>>before the timer bottle goes away.

>>>

>>>...anyhow, cutting the mains power so that the battery kicks in, does not

>>>produce any messages on screen.

>>>I haven't been able to install the APC Powerchute software. i.e. I've

>>>downloaded several versions and tried them, and each one says "unable to

>>>locate an APC battery on a USB port" !! ...so I've tried locating an

>>>older version that hopefully will detect an RS232 port.

>>>

>>>...any clues gratefully accepted !

>>>

>>>regards, Richard

>>>

>>

>>Well folks, (for those of you that may have cast an eye on my OP),...

>>

>>It was a MESSY affair, this APC - RS232 "simple UPS controller cable"

>>based shutdown facility but, after trying almost every software download

>>at http://www.apcc.com , I finally got a result with their business edition

>>Powerchute download ! The readme file that came with it alerted me to

>>change to "correct" COM1 port settings in XP, then I had to install 3

>>applications ! ....

>>This removed the XP ups.exe service, (which was talking to my UPS but

>>wouldn't make it do anything as far as I could tell - or perhaps I just

>>didn't leave the mains power cut off for long enough), and this APC

>>Business edition install identified my UPS at 127.0.0.251 ...wherever

>>that is !

>>After tweaking other settings in this mysterious software, ...when I cut

>>power at the mains switch :-

>>Battery kicks in as usual & the unit starts bleeping, ..as usual,

>>Little red "APC" icon in system tray starts blinking & alternating between

>>"APC" and a yellow warning triangle for a short time, then changes to a

>>red warning symbol, then XP shuts down, then UPS pretends to be dead and

>>makes a slightly different bleep, ...indicating there is no mains power ?!

>>...it seems that the APC Business edition console application has to be

>>running - so I've dragged that into "startup."

>>

>>...So it's only taken me 10 years, ...hang on, I've been living here 13

>>years, and I'm sure bought the thing quite a few years before that !!!

>>..oh well, it took a while but, I finally got that APC cable from eaby for

>>90 pence, and now it's all ready for this winter !!!

>>

>>regards, Richard

>>

>

>

>

[Guest RJK]

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

Thanks, I'll give that a whirl :-)

 

regards, Richard

 

 

"Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:Or$0B1AvIHA.4736@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>I suggest reviewing the information available in Windows Help and Support.

>Just look up UPS and click the links.

>

> RJK wrote:

>

>> ...but, then of course, I would prefer to uninstall the APC software, and

>> put MS's ups.exe service back in but, having urmmaged:-

>> http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=ups.exe+site%3Amicrosoft.com&meta=

>> I can't find any information on how ups.exe behaves, and when and what it

>> does if there is a prolonged power outage.

>> ...and apparantly there is only one switch for ups.exe to specify which

>> COM port the UPS is on !

>> ...any further knowlwdge on this issue would be helpful :-)

>>

>> regards, Richard

>>

>>

>>

>> "RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>> news:%238Gm9U6uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>

>>>"RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>>>news:%23tcBug4uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>>>Anyone know how to get XP Home to automatically shut-down, when there is

>>>>a power outage ?

>>>>

>>>>Years ago I bought an APC Back-UPS 650 (not the "pro" version i.e. it

>>>>didn't come with Powerchute CD and serial lead,...there is however a

>>>>female RS232 port on the back of it.)

>>>>...I just bought on ebay, for 90p, an "APC basic signalling lead,"

>>>>which I understand is an RS 232 with unusual pin-outs and a resistor

>>>>across two pins somewhere ! i.e. it's an APC 944-0020C

>>>>http://www.apc.com/support/faq.cfm#5

>>>>

>>>>...and it's now plugged in ! I suspect there is some sort of

>>>>comminication on the RS2323 lead, because if I go into XP power

>>>>management | UPS tab and change COM 1 to COM 5 I get an error message on

>>>>the UPS tab in XP Power management. I've selected APC Back-UPS in Power

>>>>management, and any change in settings in there, takes a good half

>>>>minute before the timer bottle goes away.

>>>>

>>>>...anyhow, cutting the mains power so that the battery kicks in, does

>>>>not produce any messages on screen.

>>>>I haven't been able to install the APC Powerchute software. i.e. I've

>>>>downloaded several versions and tried them, and each one says "unable to

>>>>locate an APC battery on a USB port" !! ...so I've tried locating an

>>>>older version that hopefully will detect an RS232 port.

>>>>

>>>>...any clues gratefully accepted !

>>>>

>>>>regards, Richard

>>>>

>>>

>>>Well folks, (for those of you that may have cast an eye on my OP),...

>>>

>>>It was a MESSY affair, this APC - RS232 "simple UPS controller cable"

>>>based shutdown facility but, after trying almost every software download

>>>at http://www.apcc.com , I finally got a result with their business edition

>>>Powerchute download ! The readme file that came with it alerted me to

>>>change to "correct" COM1 port settings in XP, then I had to install 3

>>>applications ! ....

>>>This removed the XP ups.exe service, (which was talking to my UPS but

>>>wouldn't make it do anything as far as I could tell - or perhaps I just

>>>didn't leave the mains power cut off for long enough), and this APC

>>>Business edition install identified my UPS at 127.0.0.251 ...wherever

>>>that is !

>>>After tweaking other settings in this mysterious software, ...when I cut

>>>power at the mains switch :-

>>>Battery kicks in as usual & the unit starts bleeping, ..as usual,

>>>Little red "APC" icon in system tray starts blinking & alternating

>>>between "APC" and a yellow warning triangle for a short time, then

>>>changes to a red warning symbol, then XP shuts down, then UPS pretends to

>>>be dead and makes a slightly different bleep, ...indicating there is no

>>>mains power ?!

>>>...it seems that the APC Business edition console application has to be

>>>running - so I've dragged that into "startup."

>>>

>>>...So it's only taken me 10 years, ...hang on, I've been living here 13

>>>years, and I'm sure bought the thing quite a few years before that !!!

>>>..oh well, it took a while but, I finally got that APC cable from eaby

>>>for 90 pence, and now it's all ready for this winter !!!

>>>

>>>regards, Richard

>>>

>>

>>

>>

>

[Guest RJK]

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

Finally got there, after fiddling with those three polarity settings -

several reboots into safe mode to switch off ups.exe service so that I

could have another go !

....and thanks again, I wouldn't have normally looked in Windows help - I can

never usually find anything in there !

 

<quote Windows help>

To configure a simple-signaling Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) device

You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators

group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to

a network, network policy settings might also prevent you from completing

this procedure.

Open Power Options in Control Panel.

On the UPS tab, click Select.

In the UPS Selection dialog box, under Select manufacturer, select Generic.

In Select model, select Custom.

In On port, select the COM port where the UPS device is connected, and then

click Next.

 

In the UPS Interface Configuration On dialog box, set the UPS signal

polarities as appropriate for:

 

Power Fail/On Battery

Low Battery

UPS Shutdown

 

Caution

Before changing these settings, see the documentation that came with your

UPS device.

Click Finish.

Notes

To open Power Options, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel,

and then double-click Power Options.

Using Power Options in Control Panel, you can adjust any power management

option that your computer's unique hardware configuration supports. Because

these options may vary widely from computer to computer, the options

described may differ from what you see. Power Options automatically detects

what is available on your computer and shows you only the options that you

can control.

Related Topics

<end quote>

 

....for my APC 650 (BK650MI), those three above polarity settings are neg.

pos. neg. ...after getting an unexpected hibernation - after tweaking a

radio button or two ! :-)

...then a bit more Googling:- ...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/102711

....gave this one a go, Voila !!!

 

:-)

 

Thanks again Bob I for pointing me to "Windows Help," ....that's about

three items that have been of use in there !

 

regards, Richard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:%23CzltxFvIHA.4772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Thanks, I'll give that a whirl :-)

>

> regards, Richard

>

>

> "Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message

> news:Or$0B1AvIHA.4736@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>>I suggest reviewing the information available in Windows Help and Support.

>>Just look up UPS and click the links.

>>

>> RJK wrote:

>>

>>> ...but, then of course, I would prefer to uninstall the APC software,

>>> and put MS's ups.exe service back in but, having urmmaged:-

>>> http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=ups.exe+site%3Amicrosoft.com&meta=

>>> I can't find any information on how ups.exe behaves, and when and what

>>> it does if there is a prolonged power outage.

>>> ...and apparantly there is only one switch for ups.exe to specify which

>>> COM port the UPS is on !

>>> ...any further knowlwdge on this issue would be helpful :-)

>>>

>>> regards, Richard

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> "RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>>> news:%238Gm9U6uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>>>"RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>>>>news:%23tcBug4uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>

>>>>>Anyone know how to get XP Home to automatically shut-down, when there

>>>>>is a power outage ?

>>>>>

>>>>>Years ago I bought an APC Back-UPS 650 (not the "pro" version i.e. it

>>>>>didn't come with Powerchute CD and serial lead,...there is however a

>>>>>female RS232 port on the back of it.)

>>>>>...I just bought on ebay, for 90p, an "APC basic signalling lead,"

>>>>>which I understand is an RS 232 with unusual pin-outs and a resistor

>>>>>across two pins somewhere ! i.e. it's an APC 944-0020C

>>>>>http://www.apc.com/support/faq.cfm#5

>>>>>

>>>>>...and it's now plugged in ! I suspect there is some sort of

>>>>>comminication on the RS2323 lead, because if I go into XP power

>>>>>management | UPS tab and change COM 1 to COM 5 I get an error message

>>>>>on the UPS tab in XP Power management. I've selected APC Back-UPS in

>>>>>Power management, and any change in settings in there, takes a good

>>>>>half minute before the timer bottle goes away.

>>>>>

>>>>>...anyhow, cutting the mains power so that the battery kicks in, does

>>>>>not produce any messages on screen.

>>>>>I haven't been able to install the APC Powerchute software. i.e. I've

>>>>>downloaded several versions and tried them, and each one says "unable

>>>>>to locate an APC battery on a USB port" !! ...so I've tried locating

>>>>>an older version that hopefully will detect an RS232 port.

>>>>>

>>>>>...any clues gratefully accepted !

>>>>>

>>>>>regards, Richard

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>>Well folks, (for those of you that may have cast an eye on my OP),...

>>>>

>>>>It was a MESSY affair, this APC - RS232 "simple UPS controller cable"

>>>>based shutdown facility but, after trying almost every software download

>>>>at http://www.apcc.com , I finally got a result with their business edition

>>>>Powerchute download ! The readme file that came with it alerted me to

>>>>change to "correct" COM1 port settings in XP, then I had to install 3

>>>>applications ! ....

>>>>This removed the XP ups.exe service, (which was talking to my UPS but

>>>>wouldn't make it do anything as far as I could tell - or perhaps I just

>>>>didn't leave the mains power cut off for long enough), and this APC

>>>>Business edition install identified my UPS at 127.0.0.251 ...wherever

>>>>that is !

>>>>After tweaking other settings in this mysterious software, ...when I cut

>>>>power at the mains switch :-

>>>>Battery kicks in as usual & the unit starts bleeping, ..as usual,

>>>>Little red "APC" icon in system tray starts blinking & alternating

>>>>between "APC" and a yellow warning triangle for a short time, then

>>>>changes to a red warning symbol, then XP shuts down, then UPS pretends

>>>>to be dead and makes a slightly different bleep, ...indicating there is

>>>>no mains power ?!

>>>>...it seems that the APC Business edition console application has to be

>>>>running - so I've dragged that into "startup."

>>>>

>>>>...So it's only taken me 10 years, ...hang on, I've been living here 13

>>>>years, and I'm sure bought the thing quite a few years before that !!!

>>>>..oh well, it took a while but, I finally got that APC cable from eaby

>>>>for 90 pence, and now it's all ready for this winter !!!

>>>>

>>>>regards, Richard

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>

>

[Guest RJK]

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

....correction, after a little more experimentation, polarities appear to

need to be pos pos. pos. (the deafults),

....after one or two more test - cutting mains power to ups - XP was going

straight to (selected action) - hibernate.

 

regards, Richard

 

 

"RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:upAxXtGvIHA.4952@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Finally got there, after fiddling with those three polarity settings -

> several reboots into safe mode to switch off ups.exe service so that I

> could have another go !

> ...and thanks again, I wouldn't have normally looked in Windows help - I

> can never usually find anything in there !

>

> <quote Windows help>

> To configure a simple-signaling Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) device

> You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the

> Administrators group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer

> is connected to a network, network policy settings might also prevent you

> from completing this procedure.

> Open Power Options in Control Panel.

> On the UPS tab, click Select.

> In the UPS Selection dialog box, under Select manufacturer, select

> Generic.

> In Select model, select Custom.

> In On port, select the COM port where the UPS device is connected, and

> then click Next.

>

> In the UPS Interface Configuration On dialog box, set the UPS signal

> polarities as appropriate for:

>

> Power Fail/On Battery

> Low Battery

> UPS Shutdown

>

> Caution

> Before changing these settings, see the documentation that came with your

> UPS device.

> Click Finish.

> Notes

> To open Power Options, click Start, point to Settings, click Control

> Panel, and then double-click Power Options.

> Using Power Options in Control Panel, you can adjust any power management

> option that your computer's unique hardware configuration supports.

> Because these options may vary widely from computer to computer, the

> options described may differ from what you see. Power Options

> automatically detects what is available on your computer and shows you

> only the options that you can control.

> Related Topics

> <end quote>

>

> ...for my APC 650 (BK650MI), those three above polarity settings are neg.

> pos. neg. ...after getting an unexpected hibernation - after tweaking a

> radio button or two ! :-)

> ..then a bit more Googling:- ...

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/102711

> ...gave this one a go, Voila !!!

>

> :-)

>

> Thanks again Bob I for pointing me to "Windows Help," ....that's about

> three items that have been of use in there !

>

> regards, Richard

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> "RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

> news:%23CzltxFvIHA.4772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> Thanks, I'll give that a whirl :-)

>>

>> regards, Richard

>>

>>

>> "Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message

>> news:Or$0B1AvIHA.4736@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>>>I suggest reviewing the information available in Windows Help and

>>>Support. Just look up UPS and click the links.

>>>

>>> RJK wrote:

>>>

>>>> ...but, then of course, I would prefer to uninstall the APC software,

>>>> and put MS's ups.exe service back in but, having urmmaged:-

>>>> http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=ups.exe+site%3Amicrosoft.com&meta=

>>>> I can't find any information on how ups.exe behaves, and when and what

>>>> it does if there is a prolonged power outage.

>>>> ...and apparantly there is only one switch for ups.exe to specify which

>>>> COM port the UPS is on !

>>>> ...any further knowlwdge on this issue would be helpful :-)

>>>>

>>>> regards, Richard

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>> "RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>>>> news:%238Gm9U6uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>

>>>>>"RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>>>>>news:%23tcBug4uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>>

>>>>>>Anyone know how to get XP Home to automatically shut-down, when there

>>>>>>is a power outage ?

>>>>>>

>>>>>>Years ago I bought an APC Back-UPS 650 (not the "pro" version i.e. it

>>>>>>didn't come with Powerchute CD and serial lead,...there is however a

>>>>>>female RS232 port on the back of it.)

>>>>>>...I just bought on ebay, for 90p, an "APC basic signalling lead,"

>>>>>>which I understand is an RS 232 with unusual pin-outs and a resistor

>>>>>>across two pins somewhere ! i.e. it's an APC 944-0020C

>>>>>>http://www.apc.com/support/faq.cfm#5

>>>>>>

>>>>>>...and it's now plugged in ! I suspect there is some sort of

>>>>>>comminication on the RS2323 lead, because if I go into XP power

>>>>>>management | UPS tab and change COM 1 to COM 5 I get an error message

>>>>>>on the UPS tab in XP Power management. I've selected APC Back-UPS in

>>>>>>Power management, and any change in settings in there, takes a good

>>>>>>half minute before the timer bottle goes away.

>>>>>>

>>>>>>...anyhow, cutting the mains power so that the battery kicks in, does

>>>>>>not produce any messages on screen.

>>>>>>I haven't been able to install the APC Powerchute software. i.e. I've

>>>>>>downloaded several versions and tried them, and each one says "unable

>>>>>>to locate an APC battery on a USB port" !! ...so I've tried locating

>>>>>>an older version that hopefully will detect an RS232 port.

>>>>>>

>>>>>>...any clues gratefully accepted !

>>>>>>

>>>>>>regards, Richard

>>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>Well folks, (for those of you that may have cast an eye on my OP),...

>>>>>

>>>>>It was a MESSY affair, this APC - RS232 "simple UPS controller cable"

>>>>>based shutdown facility but, after trying almost every software

>>>>>download at http://www.apcc.com , I finally got a result with their business

>>>>>edition Powerchute download ! The readme file that came with it

>>>>>alerted me to change to "correct" COM1 port settings in XP, then I had

>>>>>to install 3 applications ! ....

>>>>>This removed the XP ups.exe service, (which was talking to my UPS but

>>>>>wouldn't make it do anything as far as I could tell - or perhaps I just

>>>>>didn't leave the mains power cut off for long enough), and this APC

>>>>>Business edition install identified my UPS at 127.0.0.251 ...wherever

>>>>>that is !

>>>>>After tweaking other settings in this mysterious software, ...when I

>>>>>cut power at the mains switch :-

>>>>>Battery kicks in as usual & the unit starts bleeping, ..as usual,

>>>>>Little red "APC" icon in system tray starts blinking & alternating

>>>>>between "APC" and a yellow warning triangle for a short time, then

>>>>>changes to a red warning symbol, then XP shuts down, then UPS pretends

>>>>>to be dead and makes a slightly different bleep, ...indicating there is

>>>>>no mains power ?!

>>>>>...it seems that the APC Business edition console application has to be

>>>>>running - so I've dragged that into "startup."

>>>>>

>>>>>...So it's only taken me 10 years, ...hang on, I've been living here 13

>>>>>years, and I'm sure bought the thing quite a few years before that !!!

>>>>>..oh well, it took a while but, I finally got that APC cable from eaby

>>>>>for 90 pence, and now it's all ready for this winter !!!

>>>>>

>>>>>regards, Richard

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest Bob I]

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

Re: APC BK650MI ...

 

You're welcome, glad to hear you have it working as desired.

 

RJK wrote:

> ...correction, after a little more experimentation, polarities appear to

> need to be pos pos. pos. (the deafults),

> ...after one or two more test - cutting mains power to ups - XP was going

> straight to (selected action) - hibernate.

>

> regards, Richard

>

>

> "RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

> news:upAxXtGvIHA.4952@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>

>>Finally got there, after fiddling with those three polarity settings -

>>several reboots into safe mode to switch off ups.exe service so that I

>>could have another go !

>>...and thanks again, I wouldn't have normally looked in Windows help - I

>>can never usually find anything in there !

>>

>><quote Windows help>

>>To configure a simple-signaling Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) device

>>You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the

>>Administrators group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer

>>is connected to a network, network policy settings might also prevent you

>>from completing this procedure.

>>Open Power Options in Control Panel.

>>On the UPS tab, click Select.

>>In the UPS Selection dialog box, under Select manufacturer, select

>>Generic.

>>In Select model, select Custom.

>>In On port, select the COM port where the UPS device is connected, and

>>then click Next.

>>

>>In the UPS Interface Configuration On dialog box, set the UPS signal

>>polarities as appropriate for:

>>

>>Power Fail/On Battery

>>Low Battery

>>UPS Shutdown

>>

>>Caution

>>Before changing these settings, see the documentation that came with your

>>UPS device.

>>Click Finish.

>>Notes

>>To open Power Options, click Start, point to Settings, click Control

>>Panel, and then double-click Power Options.

>>Using Power Options in Control Panel, you can adjust any power management

>>option that your computer's unique hardware configuration supports.

>>Because these options may vary widely from computer to computer, the

>>options described may differ from what you see. Power Options

>>automatically detects what is available on your computer and shows you

>>only the options that you can control.

>>Related Topics

>><end quote>

>>

>>...for my APC 650 (BK650MI), those three above polarity settings are neg.

>>pos. neg. ...after getting an unexpected hibernation - after tweaking a

>>radio button or two ! :-)

>>..then a bit more Googling:- ...

>>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/102711

>>...gave this one a go, Voila !!!

>>

>>:-)

>>

>>Thanks again Bob I for pointing me to "Windows Help," ....that's about

>>three items that have been of use in there !

>>

>>regards, Richard

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>"RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>>news:%23CzltxFvIHA.4772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>

>>>Thanks, I'll give that a whirl :-)

>>>

>>>regards, Richard

>>>

>>>

>>>"Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message

>>>news:Or$0B1AvIHA.4736@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>>>I suggest reviewing the information available in Windows Help and

>>>>Support. Just look up UPS and click the links.

>>>>

>>>>RJK wrote:

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>>...but, then of course, I would prefer to uninstall the APC software,

>>>>>and put MS's ups.exe service back in but, having urmmaged:-

>>>>>http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=ups.exe+site%3Amicrosoft.com&meta=

>>>>>I can't find any information on how ups.exe behaves, and when and what

>>>>>it does if there is a prolonged power outage.

>>>>>...and apparantly there is only one switch for ups.exe to specify which

>>>>>COM port the UPS is on !

>>>>>...any further knowlwdge on this issue would be helpful :-)

>>>>>

>>>>>regards, Richard

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>"RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>>>>>news:%238Gm9U6uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>>"RJK" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>>>>>>news:%23tcBug4uIHA.3484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>>>

>>>>>>

>>>>>>>Anyone know how to get XP Home to automatically shut-down, when there

>>>>>>>is a power outage ?

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>Years ago I bought an APC Back-UPS 650 (not the "pro" version i.e. it

>>>>>>>didn't come with Powerchute CD and serial lead,...there is however a

>>>>>>>female RS232 port on the back of it.)

>>>>>>>...I just bought on ebay, for 90p, an "APC basic signalling lead,"

>>>>>>>which I understand is an RS 232 with unusual pin-outs and a resistor

>>>>>>>across two pins somewhere ! i.e. it's an APC 944-0020C

>>>>>>>http://www.apc.com/support/faq.cfm#5

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>...and it's now plugged in ! I suspect there is some sort of

>>>>>>>comminication on the RS2323 lead, because if I go into XP power

>>>>>>>management | UPS tab and change COM 1 to COM 5 I get an error message

>>>>>>>on the UPS tab in XP Power management. I've selected APC Back-UPS in

>>>>>>>Power management, and any change in settings in there, takes a good

>>>>>>>half minute before the timer bottle goes away.

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>...anyhow, cutting the mains power so that the battery kicks in, does

>>>>>>>not produce any messages on screen.

>>>>>>>I haven't been able to install the APC Powerchute software. i.e. I've

>>>>>>>downloaded several versions and tried them, and each one says "unable

>>>>>>>to locate an APC battery on a USB port" !! ...so I've tried locating

>>>>>>>an older version that hopefully will detect an RS232 port.

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>...any clues gratefully accepted !

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>regards, Richard

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>

>>>>>>Well folks, (for those of you that may have cast an eye on my OP),...

>>>>>>

>>>>>>It was a MESSY affair, this APC - RS232 "simple UPS controller cable"

>>>>>>based shutdown facility but, after trying almost every software

>>>>>>download at http://www.apcc.com , I finally got a result with their business

>>>>>>edition Powerchute download ! The readme file that came with it

>>>>>>alerted me to change to "correct" COM1 port settings in XP, then I had

>>>>>>to install 3 applications ! ....

>>>>>>This removed the XP ups.exe service, (which was talking to my UPS but

>>>>>>wouldn't make it do anything as far as I could tell - or perhaps I just

>>>>>>didn't leave the mains power cut off for long enough), and this APC

>>>>>>Business edition install identified my UPS at 127.0.0.251 ...wherever

>>>>>>that is !

>>>>>>After tweaking other settings in this mysterious software, ...when I

>>>>>>cut power at the mains switch :-

>>>>>>Battery kicks in as usual & the unit starts bleeping, ..as usual,

>>>>>>Little red "APC" icon in system tray starts blinking & alternating

>>>>>>between "APC" and a yellow warning triangle for a short time, then

>>>>>>changes to a red warning symbol, then XP shuts down, then UPS pretends

>>>>>>to be dead and makes a slightly different bleep, ...indicating there is

>>>>>>no mains power ?!

>>>>>>...it seems that the APC Business edition console application has to be

>>>>>>running - so I've dragged that into "startup."

>>>>>>

>>>>>>...So it's only taken me 10 years, ...hang on, I've been living here 13

>>>>>>years, and I'm sure bought the thing quite a few years before that !!!

>>>>>>..oh well, it took a while but, I finally got that APC cable from eaby

>>>>>>for 90 pence, and now it's all ready for this winter !!!

>>>>>>

>>>>>>regards, Richard

>>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>

>>

>

>