XP Starts To Hang After Install of PowerChute 2.0

[Anonymous user]

I recently (a couple days ago), received my ES 550 UPS unit. I installed the included Power Chute 2.0 software and connected things up. I did not give it much thought as I have other computers with similar UPS and the same version of Power Chute on the same OS (Windows XP Pro SP-3).

However, since the install, I have noticed that this computer hangs/locks-up almost every day forcing me to power it off and re-start. I cannot say for sure that this is due to the installation of Power Chute but I have to wonder if this is just a co-incidence.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

[Erasmus_apc · Accepted solution]

Is there a certain time of the day that it locks up, or when you are performing a specific task? Is the UPS in particular showing any indication of abnormal activity (on battery, etc.)? When it locks up, does it slow down and then lock up, or just instantly freeze?

The PCPE software itself does not cause systems to lock up, but its interaction with certain customer's systems in relation to quirky BIOS power options, Windows native UPS service, USB communication, random untested 3rd party programs, and Windows ACPI/Power management options can cause problems. All the system interactions that are possible make it difficult to label what can cause a system freeze after an application install like this, but I would try UNinstalling PCPE and if the system freezes stop, you'll have a reasonable starting point as to knowing what to look for.

Quick suggestions would be: set power options within Windows to default, run a registry cleaner like CCCleaner, minimize the number of USB devices on the PC, turn off or disable anti-virus and any programs that poll/use USB ports (iTunes, etc.).