USB problem with UPS

Question

I have a APC BE-725BB UPS hooked up to a Dimension XPS R400 running Window 98SE. The UPS sometimes will either stop the computer from booting or makes it run slow as it boots.

When the computer does not boot up. It stops after displaying the Dell logo. It freezes up and will not continue. I have to turn the UPS off and then on, hoping that it will boot.

At other times I get a boot with a slow memory count.

In both cases the UPS does not connect with the computer via the USB port. Cable seems to be good, as does the connections. Have turned off Legacy USB support and Power Management. Removing the USB cable from the UPS does stop these problems.

Can run system with UPS hooked up via USB cable, problems are intermittent.

Have correct drivers installed and HP printer that uses USB port works fine. What is going on?

Thanks

jolsonmhd · Answer

You have an APC Back-UPS ES 725 Broadband, is that correct?  I assume you have the latest PowerChute Personal Edition v1.5.0 .  If not, get the latest software version.  It doesn't sound like batteries, but how old are they?  I understand they last 3 years--you can check the battery strength in the PowerChute software.  Do you have the broadband port in use?  I've been told they aren't necessary due to the surge protection / lightning arrestor in the outside connection box.  I don't have any protection on my cable - it just goes into the modem, then the router, and then the PC's.   I have a Dimension 4550 with all my PCI slots full and an LCD monitor on an APC Back-UPS Pro 350.  My son has a Compaq Presario 5000CL on an APC Back-UPS Pro 500.  APC recommended a special USB cable, which they supplied free, on the Compaq.  I'm not sure why this would be.  Both of us are running XP Pro.  The USB cable, by the way, must go into an onboard port, not on a hub.   I recently upgraded to this Dimension 2GHz from a Daktech (local builder) PC running at 800MHz and have noticed a number of improvements with the increased speed and memory.  Previously, I would regularly get messages that 'Communication with the UPS has been lost' followed immediately with 'Communication with the UPS has been restored.'  This happened several times a night over the past year, and was somewhat tied to periods of no activity, but not entirely.  Now those messages have entirely disappeared.  All my software and other hardware has remained the same.  The old system and the new system would always boot properly, however.  But moving to a faster CPU and doubling memory (384 to 768) eliminated this annoying message.  Maybe on an even slower system, other and worse problems appear.

kendallpkmmc · Answer

Yes, I have a 725 Broad Band UPS from APC. The computer only has two USB ports located on the back of the machine. Running Windows 98SE on a Pentium II 400Mhz processor with 128 meg memory.

Using dial-up for connecting to the Internet.

System problem intermittent. Using cable they supplied on USB 1.0 ports, I think.

Any help or suggestions would be quite welcome.

Thanks in advance.

jolsonmhd · Answer

You don't really need to have the USB cable in place.  Just use the UPS as a dumb device.  I put my UPS in place just for the power conditioning features (surge protection, AVR to counteract brownouts, and UPS to prevent ups and downs.)  Uninstall the software and remove the USB cable.  If you're on the PC when the power drops, close your applications and shut it down.  If you leave it powered up all the time, it will run until the batteries expire, then shut off.  But at least you shouldn't damage the PC or software that way.  Worst case, you may lose some data you left open and unsaved.  But if you're still on a P II with Win 98, how important can that be?  I have installed several just this way - UPS and no software and no USB cable.  Try removing it and uninstalling the software and see if your boot problems go away. Message Edited by jolsonmhd on 04-01-2005 09:07 PM

kendallpkmmc · Answer

I know that unplugging the USB cable helps. But, I wanted a full automatic shutdown.

Running this old computer because this is all I can afford for now. Got the UPS for a great deal, less than it would cost to replace the battery from my old UPS.

Thanks for the suggestion. You are quite correct.

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USB problem with UPS

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