Preventing runtime calibration on reboot

[Anonymous user]

I have an older APC SmartUPS so I have to run PowerChute 5.2.3 to support it. The UPS goes into a runtime calibration when I restart the computer (Windows XP). The release notes say that the computer sends characters out the com port when it restarts. These are misinterpreted by the SmartUPS as a command to do a runtime calibration.

Is there some way to avoid this problem besides unplugging the serial cable?

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Why're you still running PC+ 5.2.3?

What's stopping you from moving to PCBE either 7.0.5 or 8.0?

That may make the problem go away.

[Anonymous user]

I installed the newer software first and it says that my UPS is not supported.

[EZ_Button_apc]

Just curious, what UPS model # do you have? Also, what cable is attached? There should be a part number stamped into one of the ends of the cable.

[Anonymous user]

It's a Smart-UPS 400. The manufacturing date according to Powerchute is June 6 1994.

Message was edited by: admin

[Erasmus_apc]

The UPS is very old...well past it's life cycle While this is not guaranteed to cause you any issues with unit performance, I would not be surprised at all if there was a communication port issue of some kind. I would recommend getting a new unit honestly. But replacement aside, I would like to see you try restarting the computer with NO serial cable attached to the UPS and see if the problem continues.

Honestly I see this as a either an a) serial comm. issue on the UPS or a bad serial cable.

By the way the APC 940-0024(x) cable pin outs are proprietary and we do not provide them, and so I will need to make a request to have your previous post deleted. In addition, the ground reference you mentioned is incorrect in reference to our 940-0024C and D signaling cables, and the 4-5 connection is not even something I see anywhere here on our pin out spec. I will admit part of your cabling is correct so I can see how you did get some communication. I would recommend buying a 940-0024 cable from APC's website.

[voidstar_apc]

Like you, I had a problem with the computer treating my serial port as a mouse. Rather annoying and it prevented me from using the serial port at all after a reboot. I had success with [the procedure here|http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/13817/how-do-i-disable-mouse-detection-on-a-com-port-for-u...].

Additionally, parties interested in the UPS's RS232 connector should check out [APC's Documentation|http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1481].

[Anonymous user]

Thank you, the /noserialmice=com1 fixed the problem! I was hoping that there was some way to turn off whatever it was that Windows was sending out of the com port during a boot. I tried restarts and cold boots and no more battery runtime calibrations.

This old UPS came back to us as part of a trade in when our customer upgraded their machinery + the old workstation. It was going to be scrapped & recycled so I took it home. It still works fine even though it is 14 years old and well-used. The batteries are new.

BTW - my cable is fine. The 4-5 connection is valid as pin 4 is common (logic ground) according to the computer interface diagram in the APC Smart-UPS 400 user guide page 26. Pin 9 is chassis ground on the UPS and it is internally hardwired to pin 4 anyway. I see that the link on your message shows that pin 4 is the correct pin to connect to the COM port common (pin 5).

[voidstar_apc · Accepted solution]

I'm glad to hear that it worked! It's great when you can reuse old equipment rather than scrapping it.