Back-UPS CS 350 - Limited Support in PCPE ??

[BillP]

Hi everyone. I have a BK350, aka Back-UPS CS 350. I was hoping to make a one-time settings adjustment on it via PCPE 2.0 on my XP Laptop. Specifically, I thought I could silence the beeper as one can do on a ES or RS or XS or LS Back-UPS.

To my surprise, upon opening PCPE 2.0, there were barely any options available to me. The Monitor System section is completely gone. Under Configuration, I only get Options and Runtime.

Now, I could care less about options and runtime, since this UPS will be powering my home network and cordless phones. I have already set the CS to highest sensitivity via the power button procedure. However, I need to silence the on-batt alarm like I can on my BR800BLK.

Also, I tried this on another XP machine running a fresh install of PCPE 1.5 just to see if that had any effect. The results were the same.

Here's a screen shot. Any answers?

[BillP]

Hi,

Don't mean to leave you hanging on my part. I am still awaiting my response from whom I believe to be the author on this. I will keep you updated.

[BillP]

Hi Joe,

Everything sounds good in your set up and the fact that your RS800 shows up just fine, we can isolate the problem to the CS350. You are right in saying that the CS350 is a step up feature wise compared to the ES family.

Check out this article regarding muting notifications on the CS line: http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=8914

It confirms that this UPS should be able to be controlled via PowerChute and have other options visible.

At this point, it appears that the CS 350 will need to be replaced due to the fact that the monitor system section is totally missing and should be there.

What is the serial number on it? Or, on the other hand, you can call into support at 800-890-4272 and have them check the warranty and then replace it if under warranty.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Joe,

Sorry for the delayed response, as I've been trying to hunt down a CS350 to test it in our facility. So far no luck. Just a few questions....

1. Did you install this on a machine that has both an admin and user, and accidentally installed it as the admin, and are now logged onto the machine as a User?

2. What is the cable that you're using to connect the UPS to the PC(s)?

3. Have you attempted to hook the RS800 up to the same two PC's to make sure the other available settings re-appear?

[BillP]

Hi Notorious.

On both XP systems, there is only one admin user (me!) on the system.

I'm using the standard RJ45 to USB AP9827 (940-0127E) cable that all the Back-UPS use these days.

Yep. I took my BR800BLK and plugged into each PC using the same cables and I get all the appropriate options.

Any ideas why it can't even show the input voltage and such? The ES units have no problem, and they're a lower end UPS compared to the CS family, no?

[BillP]

Per that kBase article:

"It is Possible to Mute the Alarms on the international model Back UPS CS 650, but not on the CS 500 or the CS 350 Model range."

Does this mean that the CS 500 and 350 cannot have the alarms muted? Perhaps the author was trying to say that while the International CS 650 can have the alarms muted, the international 500 and 350 units cannot.

[BillP]

I am in the process of clarifying that and hope to have an answer later today. My assumption is that it is only speaking about international models but I am not 100% sure.

[Smart_apc]

You might have an old UPS ( 2004 year) - old fw, which had no option to disable the alarm thru the software. Unfortunately no options to replace fw. However, if UPS is oow and you like DIY ask a certfied electronic engineer to just cut off the the source of sound - Any way I would not recommend to do it to avoid any further troubles.

[BillP]

Well, perhaps that is it then. The unit was manufactured in the 20th week of 2003, and is running FW 5.4.D.

Can APC confirm that this is a UPS with partial support via PowerChute Personal Edition? Is there published documentation for owners of this equipment?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Unfortunately, this is not documented anywhere for public knowledge. It is believed that units manufactured after January 2005 would definitely have this feature and yours most likely, would not. That is in regards to being able to mute the alarms.

I still have been hunting around for one to test out that is the same age. I believe that the monitor system section should be there but I just cannot say I am 100% sure at this point. In general, if its not there, the UPS doesnt support it but it could be faulty.