Powerchute 3.0 and dataserv.exe

[Anonymous user]

I originally asked this question of APC Technical Support two weeks ago, and after repeated correspondence featuring answers to questions I wasn't asking, the person in technical support finally admitted "I am afraid to say, I do not have any direct answers for your questions."

This was my original question:

bq. I have a Back-UPS XS 1300 LCD, and I am running PowerChute Personal Edition 3.0 on a computer running the 64 bit version of Windows 7. \\ I have noticed that there is a process running called dataserv.exe and it is referred to a an APC Data Service. \\ I have two questions about it. \\ 1. What is it supposed to do? \\ 2. More importantly, why is it reading and writing vast amounts of data to and from my hard drive, e.g. 23,697,324,470 bytes read from my hard drive and 656,267,539 bytes written to my hard drive according to task manager?
If anyone on this forum can answer my questions, I would appreciate it.

Just as a matter of interest, today I disabled the service called "APC Data Service" and the only visible ill effect is that the taskmanager icon for APC says "APC Data Service is disabled and not running"

Thanks

[Anonymous user]

I have the same issue here. I installed the Core Temp and realize the CPU usage was very big, I figure out the villain is dataserv.exe. I stop the service and the CPU usage dropout from 50% to 5%. The memory usage only for this service sometimes was bigger than 100MB. I uninstalled the Powerchute 3.0.0.1 and reinstalled. Now everything is back to normal. I wondering if they instruct the program to limit the size or reset the "EnergyLog.mdb" file. For this issue disappears I think we must delete this file if the problem be back.

[Anonymous user]

I was having the same problem on one machine and not another. On the machine having the problem I noticed that in C:\Program Files (x86)\APC\APC PowerChute Personal Edition a file named EnergyLog.mdb was constantly being modified and another named EnergyLog.ldb was constantly being created and deleted. I couldn't open EnergyLog.mdb since it was password protected. I read the PCPELog.txt file and it seemed to indicate some recurring error modifying a database record. I stopped dataserv.exe using Resource Monitor, renamed EnergyLog.mdb to oldEnergyLog.mdb, and then copied EnergyLog.mdb from the other computer (which is an identical model). When I rebooted everything was fine. CPU Usage for dataserv.exe went from 17-30% down to <1%. Hope that helps.

[Anonymous user]

Today the Windows 7 Ultimate rebooted after the update KB2585542, the "dataserv.exe" goes back to previous unhappy behavior. My CPU usage in idle was more than 50%. I stopped the service and my system goes back to normal (5%). I deleted the file EnergyLog.mdb. And I think the file have an limit of 2.34MB (2.400KB). After the reboot the APC Powerchute don't started. I found the "DataCollectionLauncher.exe" in MSConfig and cancelled it, after that the APC application started normally without any issue. The EnergyLog.mdb is not created anymore and rest in peace finally. This factor must be elaborated by APC in the next update of the Powerchute.

Message was edited by: Edmort

[BillP]

i believe i heard yesterday that this was logged as an issue and will be addressed in one of the next versions of powerchute.

[BillP]

PowerChute Personal Edition version 3.0.2 addresses / resolves this issue and it can be downloaded from
http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=129

[Anonymous user]

I have the same issue with high CPU and memory usage. I never had this issue until I downloaded PowerChute Personal Edition version 3.0.2. Since that update, my system has been bogged down, with wildly fluctuating CPU usage and up to 80% memory usage. Version 3.0.2 is the problem, not the solution!

[BillP]

I agree with wpasquil

[Anonymous user]

Clarkson, thank you very much for your prompt and detailed reply; and thank you for confirming that shutting down the service has no ill effects. Using hindsight, I obviously should have posted this question in the forum originally, but I just assumed that emailing APC technical support would be the fastest way to get an answer.

Message was edited by: Harv

[Anonymous user]

I have the same problem with Powerchute 3.0.2 installed so this problem is not fixed. To make thinks worse, I run Undelete so when Powerchute deletes the EnergyLog.ldb file Undelete merely moves it into its RecoveryBin filling it and my hard drive and further killing performance. I used taskmanager to stop dataserv.exe but can find no easy way to do this permanently - any suggestions.

[BillP]

To stop dataserv.exe go to Start and in the search box type Services and then double click on Services to launch the viewer. Finally right click on APC Data Service and select stop. To prevent the service from starting on next boot up go to the service properties and change the startup type from Automatic to Manual. Doing this will not prevent PowerChute for shutting down your system in the event of a outage however no energy usage data will be collected.

[BillP]

Tom,

As I wrote back on 3 Feb. PCPE 3.0.2 was test and found the resolve this very issue. Would you please reply to this post and attach your EnergyLog.mdb file and the PCPELog.txt files for review / analyses?

Thanks

[Anonymous user]

I got a used APC about 3 months ago, put new batteries in it, and have seen this problem several times since then.  I'm running PowerChute 3.0.2 (I've never had any previous version installed) on Win XP 32-bit.  So the problem still exists in this version.  I've figured out how to repair the database for those that want it to continue to function.

1. Services -> Stop APC Data Service

2. Goto C:\Program Files\APC\PowerChute Personal Edition

3. Double click on EnergyLog.mdb to load it into MS Access.

4. Password for PowerChute Personal 3.02:  kruger

5. Per instruction on MS link below: Tools -> Database Utilities -> Compact and Repair Database/Project

6. If you blinked you probably missed it repairing it... Exit MS Access.

7. Restart the APC Data Service you stoped in step 1.

8. Check CPU usage.  Looks like mine used 7 CPU seconds since restarting 10 min. ago (currently reads 0%).

I found the password Access PassView found in the link below.  It found the password instantly.  I'm guessing that PowerChute uses the DB engine built into the OS.  Since I'm running XP the DB engine is old.  I don't know if this program will beable to get the passwords on newer OS's.  But I'm guessing that the password is the same on all installed versions of PowerChute 3.02.  (Gotta love decade old free software that works in solving a problem.)

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/accesspv.html

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access-help/compact-and-repair-an-access-file-HP005187449.aspx

I hope this helps out others.

[Anonymous user]

Just found this site, as I was having issues defragging my hard drive, when I noticed a program called dataserv.exe access every file I was defragging.  I really don't think the program should access EVERY file as it is opened (except the anti virus).  Also, like others, I did not have the monitor even turned on!!!  Once the program was killed, my defragger started working correctly again.  I've set the service to disabled, so I think the issue is resolved.

[BillP]

Harv, I have to agree, one would think going straight to the Tech's would suffice...same as Searching for a solution via a Search Engine or the perspective Forum for product/software used you are having an issue with. However, going to a Forum for an answer, I find is you only read of the umpteen others with the same issue and if there was an Answer it is buried among hundreds of posts.

And of my PowerChute 3.0, this feature under Options - Send power quality information to APC, is not even checked, so if Dataserv.exe is part of that option, why is it still running at Boot, and why have a Check box to de-select this feature?

Back to contacting Support, is being asked "Have You Contacted Tech Support or I am advised to Contact Support". As with another product I use, after finally getting through to the Company, being on hold for several minutes or bored of listening to the Hold Music, finally you get someone to talk to. In India....only then you are made to feel as your issue is your fault for buying their product, or that you might be a little stupid, or offer little or no assistance.

And I speak from experience having used Computers, Peripherals, Software etc. for 25 years, having had to call Tech Supports/Customer Service, sometimes when their product does not even work out of the box.

And Forums in my opinion is a way the Manufacture feels is a good thing, that among ourselves we will find a solution to their problem, not something that we created. Also the Forum is another way of not having to deal with us/you Face to Face or Voice to Voice. As we are just taking up their time, getting paid by us from purchasing their product.

Or why should a company pay a Tech to be on the phone for 2 hours, its easier to say Uninstall, Re-Install or better yet, use your restoration disk, reformat and start over is the faster process than trying to resolve an issue with their product and hope all works well then. Which I find, does not.

I understand APC Dataserv.exe function, as I watch it every time I boot, so I can monitor as you have seen mass amount of data transfer, however we never see what this so called gathering of the information says.

And I have to ask, how to improve their program of doing what, monitoring and then it buzzes Oh No!, there is an electrical spike/noise or power outage/surge/brownout, Activate! Activate! Will Robinson. How about a battery that lasts longer, would be nice.

And it monitors how we use our APC, as it is always on & waiting to do what it is designed for, which we pay the bucks for.

And I find, instead of returning a 3 yr old APC battery for replacement, its cheaper and quicker to buy another APC from a Computer Store, Staples, Office Max, ext.

Anyway as I boot...that is when Dataserv.exe eats up a High Percentage of my Processor, 30% plus and for a long time too, slowing down my other processes as well.

So I either stop the process Dataserv.exe or sit an wait. And so, the rest of the day & night, Dataserv is not communicating sending anything, so it nulls void the purpose. Once you stop the process of Dataserv.exe. But wait, this option is not checked "Send power quality information to APC"

And why when I first boot, why not well after I have booted, and in increments throughout the use of my PC's as I have 6 running, with each having an APC unit.

One day, someone may become more intelligent, better at Customer Service, or even a better product, look at Microsoft after how many years (in my opinion) since my first experience was with Windows 3.0/DOS 5, Microsoft still has not got it right.

I always wondered what OS...Bill Gates uses, I am sure when he encounters a problem the alarms go off in Redmond WA, and Tech's scramble to resolve his issue ASAP. While we get to spend hours and days to find resolve, more frustrated and end up spending more money on possibly another product, leaving you in the same boat, no oars and a hole.

Doc2CentsWhoRuns-with-Scissors

[Anonymous user]

EUREKA -- after upgrading to WIN10 Home, I Powerchute PE had an exclamation point with a notice that "APC Data Service not running".  I uninstalled Powerchute PE 3.0.2 and reinstalled.  That did not help.  I also had a problem with my WHS2011 connector software not connecting to the server (the launcher icon in the tray was greyed out). 

I found a registry hack that cures both problems at https://newleaserelease.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/windows-home-server-2011-launchpad-offline-and-net-...  I created the dword ServicesPipeTimeout with a value of 50000.  On reboot, that was enough to resolve the Powerchute error notice that "APC Data Service not running" as well as the greyed out WHS2011 connector. 

[Anonymous user]

This was brilliant!  This problem seems to happen to a lot of people and as far as I can see, the PowerChute help desk doesn't have a clue.  Somehow it needs to get out there.  Obviously their services take too long to start up and they need to do something to fix it.

Thanks

[Anonymous user]

Even though Dataserv.exe only runs in the background, I was seeing up to 2mb/sec access to my SSD drive for more than just a few minutes. I don't need that much excess I/O on my drives. It should be that since I did not allow data collection from the Powerchute menu it should not happen. Having to dig into my system to stop it destroys my faith in APC/Schneider and their products. To me this is a form of spyware and I will treat any updates to Powerchute as such. I can't believe their technicians don't know what the problem is. It has been happening for years. Either they are incompetent or lying. Consider, they have not even admitted to the problem publicly nor implemented solutions as a service to their customers.

Regards,

Jeffrey Courtney

P.S. Feel free to contact me if I am wrong, I will withdraw my comments but don't hide them.

[BillP]

Hi,

Sorry that you are not happy with the application. You have a few options.

1. Stop the data service and set it to manual start. The service will be stop and will not start automatically when the system is restarted.
2. Uninstall PCPE and utilize Window shutdown via the control panel (Power Options) Since you have installed PCPE you many need to change the USB drive to HID UPS Battery. See FAQ FA159743 and FA159653
3. Uninstall PCPE and install APCUPSD. APCUPSD has added features that native power options do not. 

As for your displeasure, I will pass your comments on the management.

Again, sorry you are not happy with the application.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

To think 9 years ago this program is a system hog and here 2020 it's still a very large problem. When this program is running my cpu usage for the monitoring program alone is up to 20% which in turn generates more heat ramping up my fans. Maybe recode the program instead of just telling people to end it and uninstall it.