Install problem w. PowerChute P.E. on Mac?

[Anonymous user]

Hello,

I have an APC Back-UPS RS 800 connected to my PowerMac (OS 10.4) via the provided USB com. cable. When I installed PowerChute Personal Edition v 1.3.4, all seemed to go well, with the RS 800 being recognized. But when done, there is no sign of the program on my hard drive, no user instructions, or any kind of user interface.

The included readme file just covers supported version information. So my questions are:

1) Did the program install, and if so, what does it do exactly when the power goes out?
2) Is there any kind of user input or feedback from the program?
3) Where is the program installed?
4) How do I know it is working (short of unplugging the UPS from the AC outlet)?

Thanks for any help on this.
Rich

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Rich,

I think just things related to power seem to be locked. My Energy Saver also locks.

-Mike

[Anonymous user]

Mike,

Do you know if there is a software upgrade possible from PCPE to something that DOES save a designated application automatically before closing?

Rich

[Anonymous user]

OK, I just clicked on PowerChute in Sys Pref again and noticed a "Click lock to make changes" thingy down at the bottom of the window. So I did, typed in my admin password, and now everything is adjustable. Strange, none of my other System Pref apps are locked by default. Thanks.

Rich

[Anonymous user]

Hi Rich,

The application should actually show up in your System Preferences, and this is where you can further configure the software. When you launch the PCPE GUI from System Preferences, it should tell you about the current status of the UPS, which will prove that it is communicating with the UPS.

As far as interactions, I think you will get little pop-ups on screen if the UPS has to intervene due to a power issue.

-Mike

[Anonymous user]

Thanks Mike, you are exactly right. There it is in my System Preferences at the bottom under "Other."

So, it looks like the program just "gracefully" shuts down the computer -- no saving of open application data before the shut down if I'm away from the desk. Is that correct?

I am given two options when I click on the PowerChute icon, "Preserve bat power" or "Keep computer on as long as possible." Under each option is a bar to select extent of time in minutes. Unfortunately, all these options are grayed out. I can't make any selections of method or time of shutdown. Is this normal?

I work for hours editing Photoshop images, saving every 30 minutes or so. Hate to think a power outage can ruin my day by lost critical edits -- the reason I installed the UPS and software.

Rich

Message was edited by: richpate

Message was edited by: richpate

[Anonymous user]

Rich,

You are correct, based on the settings for PCPE in System Preferences, when the unit enounters the configured interval of on battery operation it will send a normal shutdown signal to the OS. This is the same signal that it sent if you were to select shutdown from the apple menu. Once the OS begins to shutdown, it will take whatever action it normally does with applications that are running when the OS is shutting down.

Since you save your work so often, I'd immagine that OS X will basically force close photoshop, so you can just pick up with the last time you saved the project before walking away from your desk.

-Mike

[Anonymous user]

Thanks again Mike.

I guess you missed my recent edit and addition to my last post, so let me post it again here.

When I click on the PowerChute icon in System Pref, I am presented with a window showing two choices, "Preserve bat power" or "Keep computer on as long as possible." Under each option is a bar to select extent of time in minutes. Unfortunately, all these options are grayed out. I can't make any selections of method or time of shutdown. It looks like the second choice, "Keep computer on..." with the time all the way over on the left (less than 4 minutes) is selected by default. Is this normal?

[Anonymous user]

Rich,

Installing PCPE 1.3.4 right now, as I don't recall specifics. Are you sure that you don't have the Apple System Preferences locked?

-Mike

[Anonymous user]

I wouldn't know, can't see any way to check. I assume that all the Sys. Pref. default settings are in place -- no changes on my part.

Rich