Question About Setting Up New APC

[Anonymous user]

Hello,

Yesterday, I purchased a BE550G (330 watt) APC battery backup system. I will connect it to a home computer running Windows 7 Home Prmium (Zotac G43ITX-A-E mini-ITX motherboard). It has 4 GB of RAM.

I keep the computer in sleep (Standby) mode when not in use. I would like to keep using this mode after I connect the BE550G backup unit. My questions are these:

1. When the computer is not in use and is in sleep mode, will the BE550G still be able to communicate with the computer when connected by USB cable?

2. Can I configure the BE550G, using either PowerChute v2.2 or the Windows' native power configuration utility, to shut the computer down when the electrical power goes out while the computer is in sleep mode?

I've been reading forum posts about certain problems with the battery backup unit not being able to communicate with a computer while in sleep mode when using USB connection. However, I'm confused about this issue.

If there is a problem with this connection and sleep mode, how can I make it work. I like sleep mode because it's faster (than other modes) to get up and running and very handy to use.

Thanks much,

Fritz

[BillP]

i will have to check on my windows 7 at home but for XP, which I assume is fairly similiar to 7 in this regards, you can go to Control Panel->device manager->Universal Serial Bus Controllers and right click on each USB Root Hub device and go to Properties. There should be a Power Management tab on most of those and a check box for two options relating to standby and allowing the computer to turn off the device to save power.

I think it is going to be the same for Windows 7..

if I remember I will check this weekend for you 🙂

[Anonymous user]

Clarkson,

Thanks for the response. Since my post, I've connected the battery backup without installing the PowerChute v2.2. Also, I've not connected the USB cable. Rater, I've decided to use the backup with no software support, for the following reasons:

1. If the power goes out while I'm on the computer, I'll just shut down manually. No need for software support.
2. If the power goes out while the computer is in sleep mode, and I'm home, I'll just shut it down manually. Again, no need for software support.
3. If the power goes out at night, or while I'm at work, I expect the computer to stay in sleep mode for a long time (hours) without crashing because that mode needs so little power to stay active.

This approach simplifies my situation and I don't need to be concerned, or need to experiment, with how to make the backup unit work to fit my desires.

Yeah, I use auto login. It's a convenience thing. I'm the only user. The only other person in my house is my wife. She hates computers. She'd never try to get into my computer. Anyway, I wouldn't care if she did.

I'll see how it goes. Time will tell. What do you think of this approach?

Anyone else with any insights?

Fritz

Message was edited by: Fritz

[BillP]

i think your approach sounds good. if the computer is sleeping, the battery back up should last for a very long time with such low power consumption in sleep.

about your original questions - most computers, when you go to standby or sleep, they shutdown power to the USB ports, thus disrupting communication with USB device. I think you can change that setting though. the computer needs to be running though so that either the OS or powerchute software and tell the computer to turn off/monitor the UPS.

i think your approach above is the best solution for your scenario.

[Anonymous user]

Hey, i picked a winna,

No need to check. My Win7 system has those settings you mention. However, I didn't realize that those settings turned USB power on and off in sleep mode, depending on whether they were checked or unchecked. I didn't really know what was up with those settings.

I've always had those setting unchecked, so that power is not turned off. That seemed like a good way to go to me.

So, does this mean that I can install PowerChute (or use the Win7 built-in power configuration utility) and set it to turn off a sleeping computer when the power goes out?

If so, I don't see why this method is not officially supported by APC. What's the problem? This approach seems simple enough to me.

Fritz

Later Addition: I found the following statements on another forum: When a Windows computer is in sleep mode and it discharges its batteries, it can wake up, put itself into hibernate mode and then turn itself off.
This feature is enabled/disabled in your computer's power management options, and can be set to occur based on a percentage of remaining battery charge.

Anyone know about this feature? This feature sounds like something I could use. I suppose I could just connect the USB cable and find out. Even so, I'd like to hear from anyone who has experienced this option. I think the above comment refers to a laptop. Could it also apply to a desktop using an APC battery backup?


Message was edited by: Fritz

Message was edited by: Fritz

[BillP]

i will have to look into it more..i am a bit rusty with this stuff to be honest

ill follow up with you next week unless anyone else wants to chime in.

[Anonymous user]

i picked a winna,

OK, whatever you find, be sure to post it here. It's hard getting to the bottom of some of these type arcane topics. It's even harder finding expertise. I don't know why companies making these backup units can't provide more in-depth information about what you can and cannot do. I've done a lot of googling about what I want to know and found not much. The quick and dirty answer is "we don't recommend that." Why not? Curious minds want to know!

Fritz

[Anonymous user]

All,

After pondering this question off and on for several days, I'm concluding that you can't run PowerChute (or any other similar software) to shut-down the computer automatically in sleep mode (even with power to the USB port).

My reasoning is that you can't run PowerChute, or similar software, in sleep mode. Running such software requires that the computer be up, working and fully functional. My reasoning being that software can't shut-down the computer when it's not running.

So, I think what I want cannot be done. I don't know what took me so long to realize this fact. Duh! That's the way I see it at this time. You're free to change my mind. I'm still open to suggestions.

Thanks,

Fritz

[voidstar_apc]

>
My reasoning is that you can't run PowerChute, or similar software, in sleep mode. Running such software requires that the computer be up, working and fully functional. My reasoning being that software can't shut-down the computer when it's not running.
>

Almost... computers can wake up due to activity on the USB bus. Your USB mouse is a case in point. Under power management in Windows XP, there's an option to allow the device to take the computer out of Standby. So ideally the UPS causes the computer to wakeup. Powerchute then starts a shutdown. The computer shuts down and then the UPS shuts down and turns back on when line is OK.

[Anonymous user]

voidstar,

Thanks for the response. I suppose I should stop trying to figure out every step in this process beforehand. What I should do is connect the UPS, install PowerChute and have a go at setting it up and getting it running. I normally like to have my ducks in a row before I jump into doing anything, but in this case it's hard because detailed directions are hard to get or to find.

I'm aware that a computer can wake from sleep mode based on certain events. What I didn't know is that PowerChute, or whatever it is after installing it, can cause such a wake event to enable Windows to then shut-down.

You'd think people with experience in using APC UPSs would post here describing their experiences in running their systems while Windows is in sleep mode. That's one thing that forums are good for.
I'll now stop making comments, unless someone has something to say that would elicit a response.

Fritz

[Anonymous user]

Mind if I join the thread? 😉

I'm using an APC BE750G ES model with PoweChute PE 2.0 software running on XPro.

I too have been working on this same issue. One of the things that has helped me in getting my wireless USB devices to allow for sleep/hibernation and to wake up the system is the MCE StandBy Tool:

[Slick Solutions - MCE StandBy Tool|http://slicksolutions.eu/mst.shtml]

Wireless keyboards and mice sometimes prevent sleep/hibernation. In my case, I'm using a Microsoft Wireless 3000 with one of those USB hubs. However, on my other PC my Logitech BlueTooth devices are a pain. They actually prevent sleep. So using the MCE tool helps my other system to properly go into standby. Same might happen if the APC USB is connected. Your system will simply not sleep because the connection is constantly alive. So far, that hasn't happened to me.

Microsoft has a FAQ on how to set devices from OS for standby and wake:
[Win 7/XP Sleep/Hibernation/Hybrid FAQ|http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Sleep-and-hibernation-frequently-asked-questions]

You might also want to check this one out:
[Servers and APC tutorial (XP) very detailed|http://wiert.wordpress.com/2010/06/24/using-a-usb-connected-apc-ups-with-windows-server-2008-and-vmw...]

Although, this is for a Server system, it's the same basic concept using XP.
{color:#ff0000}
{color}{color:#ff0000}*GOT IT TO WORK!!!*{color}

I followed my own advice, tested it, now it wakes from sleep when I unplug the APC unit from wall outlet.

1. BIOS POWER MANAGEMENT SETTINGS:
Make sure to set S3 standby mode.
Allow HDD to power down (standby)
Allow USB devices to wake PC.
If using PS/2 devices, allow them. If not, disable them.
Any other devices disable from waking except for USB devices.

2. Right-Click Desktop>PROPERTIES>SCREENSAVER TAB>POWER.

3. Home Office/Desk settings: Turn off monitor - 1min, Turn off HDD - 3, Sys Standby - 5mins. (adjust later)

4. ADVANCED TAB>POWER BUTTONS> Power button - SHUTDOWN, Sleep -STANDBY

5. HIBERNATE TAB>disabled hibernate

6. +(you should see a...)+ UPS TAB>SELECT> Back-UPS or your model, CONFIGURE>Enable all notifications, Mins on Batt - 2 (adjust later), Next Instruct Comp to - SHUTDOWN (unchecked "when alarm occurs" action)

7. Right-Click MY COMPUTER>PROPERTIES>HARDWARE TAB>DEVICE MANAGER>BATTERIES>right-click APC BATTERY BACKUP>PROPERTIES>POWER MANAGEMENT TAB>checkmark "Alllow to wake"

8. DL and install MCE StandBy Tool. (see above link)

9. MCE>SLEEP STATE TAB>S3, USB TAB> check all three, DEVICES TAB>REFRESH> checkmark your APC Battery BackUp and USB mouse/keyboard and other devices to want to wake, REBOOT TAB>Do not force, AUTOLOGON>Enabled (enter pass if needed), DEBUG>uncheck all, and all Delays are zero.

10. Install and run PowerChute>CONFIGURATION>OPTIONS>Enable notification sounds, uncheck rest, RUNTIME>Preserve Battery - 1 Min (adjust later), NOTIFICATION> Enable at all times, SENSITIVITY> Med.

11. Make sure APC USB is connected and that the unit is plugged into wall.

12. Close all apps and windows, REBOOT.

13. Once XP is up and running>START>SHUTDOWN>StandBy (cross your fingers and hope it works!)

14. Unplug APC battery from wall.

It should power on and after 1 minute, automatically shutdown. If not, XP will catch it and shutdown system after 2 minutes.

Might want to make sure your mouse/keyboard can also wake from Standby. The worst part is making sure that the screensaver/power scheme timing works. It takes more than a minute, but eventually kicks in and should power on when mouse/keyboard used.

Good Luck! 😛

Post was updated after this moron took his own advice. Trust me, you didn't miss a thing.--

[Anonymous user]

Hi

Windows 7 supports hybrid sleep, with this enabled you simply do not need to worry about shutting down your computer in sleep mode. During standby the computer both sleeps and hibernates, so if power is lost, it will just restore itself from the hibernation file, it will take a bit longer but you haven't lost anything.

Some info here http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-7/turn-hybrid-sleep-on-in-windows-7/

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Yesterday, I purchased a BE550G (330 watt) APC battery backup system. I will connect it to a home computer running Windows 7 Home Prmium (Zotac G43ITX-A-E mini-ITX motherboard). It has 4 GB of RAM.

I keep the computer in sleep (Standby) mode when not in use. I would like to keep using this mode after I connect the BE550G backup unit. My questions are these:

1. When the computer is not in use and is in sleep mode, will the BE550G still be able to communicate with the computer when connected by USB cable?

2. Can I configure the BE550G, using either PowerChute v2.2 or the Windows' native power configuration utility, to shut the computer down when the electrical power goes out while the computer is in sleep mode?

I've been reading forum posts about certain problems with the battery backup unit not being able to communicate with a computer while in sleep mode when using USB connection. However, I'm confused about this issue.

If there is a problem with this connection and sleep mode, how can I make it work. I like sleep mode because it's faster (than other modes) to get up and running and very handy to use.

Thanks much,

Fritz