Back-up Power/Surge Protectors Vista Tips Discuss Back-up Power/Surge Protectors in the Windows Vista forums; I have found out once again how important it is to have a surge/back-up power supply hooked to a computer system. In our area the power is very ...

[airman]

I have found out once again how important it is to have a surge/back-up power supply hooked to a computer system. In our area the power is very dirty with low voltage and over voltage all the times as low as 97 and as high as 130 volts. This last wind storm had the battery back ups beeping all the time and still after 2 days am still having over voltage alarms, and its over 129 volts. My brother next door has no back ups and a cheap surge strip, and he has two computer that are messed up to the point were they will not even boot, and one with no mouse or keyboard working. I am glad I spent the extra money over the years to have the APC back-ups that I have and use then every day. Happy Holidays

[Znod]

Maybe you can help me with my APC. For my desk top and several peripherals, I am using the BE550R. We had an outage, and the BE550R allowed my system to crash--providing only surge protection, I presume.

I went through APC service. After jumping through all the test hoops required, the tech decided that my BE550R was bad. So, he sent another. Now, the same thing has happened two more times.

Any thoughts.

Best, Z

[Snuffy]

APC BE550R 550 VA 330 Watts (4) NEMA 5-15R (Battery Backup) (4) NEMA 5-15R (Surge Protection) Outlets Back-UPS ES 8 Outlet 550VA 120V.

Is this your specs... to me it is slightly small only 330 watts.

[airman]

I used to use the BU-350R years ago until I started adding more hardware now on my main systems I have the APC 750BB which is for broadband it even has a spot for the cable modem to be protected and then i use the smaller BU-350R for my modem and router or my cordless phone. I have them set to shut down system after 5 minutes this way if the power comes back on after 1 minute they keep running. Lately I have had to raise the voltage up to 129 volt because of surges. The default I think is 127 and the low setting is 97 volts which only see low voltage in the summer. Znod When you say it allowed your system to crash you mean it shut it down properly with the Powerchute Personal Addition software or just crash and if so why. Mine shuts down just as if windows did the shutdown. Plus you have that big Dell system and if that is the one your talking about you need a bigger back up to get any kind of shut down time. You are plugged into the back-up side i did that my mistake once myself and plug into only surge protection and wondered why it wasn't working correctly.

[felix8406]

Excellent topic. I'll be setting up a server soon and need advice on APCs, so Airman any info would be appreciated.

[Znod]

Thanks much Airman. I am plugged in properly. After the first outage/crash, I left only my computer and monitor plugged in to the keep-the-power-on side. I am not using the software. When we leave the house, I usually turn my system off at least if I suspect lurking thunderstorms. Thus, a power outage usually would occur only when I am around--and, thus, know about the outage. All I want the APC to do is to keep my system running until I can shut it down properly if the power does not come back on more or less immediately--which usually is the case. I don't trust software with my system. So, when avoidable, I don't install software.

[airman]

I use there software since 1992 on windows 98 systems right up to today's Vista and have it to shut down after running on battery for 5 min that way it doesn't shut down for only 1 min power outage plus it goes on battery for noise, over under voltage to protect system and like I said around here it dirty and over voltage this time a year is a problem in fact I just had a warning for over 129 volts again so I have sent a e-mail off to APC to see what they recommend as a solution to the over voltage. Now its down to 127 as I am typing. Well to each there own I have always used the software because I leave my systems on 24/7 and about the only thing that I do not enable with there software is Hibernation I just want them shut down if there is surges or whatever the problem. Have a nice Holiday.

[felix8406]

What are the options included with the software?

[airman]

The APC software has performance,current status,options,runtime,notifications,sensitivity,v oltage,Help,Tech data and The status will tell you line voltage,last blackout , you can adjust how long you want the software to keep system running in the event of a power failure before it shuts down the system properly, protects against electrical noise or over and under voltage.

[felix8406]

Thanks for the info. How long can a medium size APC keeps the PC running?