Weird Hard Shutdown problem

[Anonymous user]

For the past few months my computer has been doing a hard shutdown two or three times a week. The strange thing is, it happens at about the same time everyday (10:36 - 10:40 am). No tasks are scheduled for that time.

What is really strange is, it happened to day, at the usual time, but this time, I couldn't just power up again. My APC UPS ES 350 was emitting a solid tone, and the power light was flashing red. I'm sure it needs a new battery, since it's at least 5 years old. But the coincidence of it flat out failing at the time of the "normal" crash makes me wonder if the UPS was somehow responsible for all the previous hard shutdowns. Is that possible? I called APC to ask if there was some sort of timer in the unit (I felt foolish asking), and was told there was not.

Note: I never installed any APC software on my computer. I can't even find it, or the manual.

[BillP]

Hi Jeff,

Can you provide the exact model and serial number of your UPS? This would help us know the indicators that your UPS has and what does it mean.

You have mentioned that the Power LED was flashing red, have you ever saw that turn in flashing red and green? There's also a possibility that the UPS is the one causing the hard shutdown.

[Anonymous user]

Hi Jon -

There's a bar code sticker on the bottom with these numbers:

BE350R

3B0713X36641

Today is the 4th day since I haven't used the UPS side of the unit and I haven't had a hard shutdown in those 4 days. Each day makes a stronger case that the UPS was the cause. I just can't figure out why the shutdown would occur at the same time of day on the days it happened. I'm not using any software with it.

I've never seen the power LED flashing green, and I didn't notice what color it was before it started flashing 4 (with the constant tone). It will still do that if I push the power button on.
I'd like be sure it just needs a new battery before I invest in one. I'm going to run with out it for about a week anyway to convince myself that it was the cause of the hard shutdown.


Update - I think BE350R is the battery id. I can't find any ID for the UPS except ES 350 on the top, no suffix. It looks like this one: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4116BZEHEKL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
BTW, I just hit the power switch, and after 4 days, it beeped once, and the led is solid green. Nothing is plugged into the UPS outlets.
I'm pretty sure I've had this UPS for at least 5 years.

Message was edited by: JeffL

[BillP]

The Battery Is Bad If You Replace It You Should Be Fine (Hard Shutdowns Are Common If The Battery Is Bad For Some reason)

[BillP · Accepted solution]

BE350R is the model of the UPS. normally this model of UPS is a little bit small for a computer nowadays with all the added hardware so you'd normally experience a short amount of runtime. as previously mentioned, as the battery gets older over time, then the runtime gets lower and lower. i don't know why it would do strange stuff at the same time each night to be honest.

anyway, based on the information provided, and you are sure the computer is connected to the battery backup + surge outlets, i'd go with a battery too.

on these smaller units, it may be more cost effective to get a new unit for the same cost as a battery but then you get a new unit with battery and 3 year warranty. figured i'd mention it and if you're interested, there are some options for batteries or new units @ http://www.apc.com/recycle