Should I use Power Chute or Windows XP Native UPS Support

[Anonymous user]

I am using 2 APC Back-UPS RS 1300 and 1 APC Back-UPS XS800 with 3 Windows XP SP3 machines.

My main interest is obtaining a graceful shutdown if the UPS battery runs down with an extended power failure.

Several of the forums that I follow say it is better to use the Windows XP Native UPS Support in the Power Options applet - they says this is better than using Power Chute.

With Power Chute I can get additional monitoring information, voltages, power failure history, etc.

Question - Should I use Power Chute or Windows XP Native UPS Support?

Thanks - have a great week!

Bill Artman,
Kansas City - USA

[BillP]

i recommend powerchute because you can see the voltages in and out, the different types of power events, battery charge/state, etc.

being nerdy, i like to see those things 🙂 i havent personally configured native outside of a test environment so i cant say that i have seen what happened as mentioned above.

[Anonymous user]

This is a popular question - I was wondering the same myself about a month ago when I first installed my UPS's. See http://forums.apc.com/spaces/7/ups-management-devices-powerchute-software/forums/general/4907/mainse... I've done more testing and my conclusion is that you have to use the PowerChute software to get a proper shutdown. My previous post outlines what happens with shutdown using native mode; hibernate did work but the UPS did not go to sleep. I'll post all of my results in the near future; I can edit this message and include link.

Could you post some of the links to the forum discussions saying that native is better? I'm interested in hearing what they have to say.

[Anonymous user]

a1smith;

Thanks for your reply and your good info. I don't really have a link to the various forums that I have read comments that XP Native UPS is better as I don't remember the various thread locations.

My main concern though is that if I use the XP Natvie UPS support that the shutdown will be graceful instead of simply "pulling the plug".

Thanks for the testing and research you have done.

Have a great week!

[BillP]

With the native UPS support, you can choose different shutdown methods including Hibernation. PowerChute Personal Edition employs hibernation by default.

[BillP]

What Operating Systems’ Native Shutdown support does APC currently support?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Ray,

The APC Smart-UPS and Back-UPS should work with Windows Vista, 7, 8, server 2003, 2008, 2012 and Mac native all communicating over USB.

As for support, we offer knowledge base document and techical support will assist via chat, e-mail, phone and forum.