APC PowerChute Shutdown??

[mofusjtf]

I have an SBS2k3 R2 server that i just got finished repairing from a dirty shutdown over the weekend. I have a Smart-ups 1500 to protect the server being monitored via USB. I use Powerchute Business Edition Basic and configured the shutdown parameters to shutdown the server after the server has been ;on battery' for 20 minutes. (After calibrating the battery I have 60 minutes of run time). I have a power failure event at 10 PM on Saturday night and the dirty shutdown was recoreded at approximately 10:52 PM.

It seems as if the battery is not sending the shutdown command or is not able to shutdown the server. Any ideas?

 

[gavm99]

I have also had this problem with Power Chute before.

You can try either ensuring you are using the latest version of Power Chute or uninstalling it and using the Windows UPS Service along with a batch file to control your shutdown.


Gavin Moorhouse

http://www.lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk

 

[wahnula]

Same here with PowerChute. Because of my smallish battery, I chose the 5-minute shut-down time (their shortest offering, I believe) rebooted, checked the UPS and PowerChute service and then yanked the plug, simulating a power failure. After 10 minutes with no sign of shut-down, I re-connected the machine and started shopping for a new UPS.

I found a CyberPower UPS with Power Panel Plus software that has much more flexible settings. I set it at 30 seconds (even though the battery is rated for 30 minutes) and pulled the plug, initiating a graceful shutdown right on the 30-second mark.

I know our local power system, and if the power goes out, it stays out for an hour or more, so I want a quick, safe shutdown. I have one on my home PC where the power losses are shorter but more frequent, I set it at 15 minutes and no problems to date.

I know APC is a major-market player, it just seems as though their lower-level stuff is not up to snuff.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[mofusjtf]

I have used APC batteries for years without an issue. The only difference in this situation is I'm using the USB monitoring instead of Serial.

I didn't think windows native APC would work with USB batteries? If it does, then I"ll certainly explore this option using the shutdown /f command.

 

[mofusjtf]

Ok, so APC says that the USB cable is not 'smart' signal capable and apc powerchute needs to be set to 'simple' signlaling.

With that said, to reset the APC battery do the following.

Uninstall powerchute (stop services first)
Power down the devices connected to the battery.
Power off the battery
Disconnect everything from the battery including the USB
disconnect power from the wall (AC)
hold the power button for 8 seconds and release
Hold the power button for 5 seconds and release
reconnect devices
plug into AC
power on the battery and devices
connect usb cable once server is up and running
install powerchute and configure for simple signaling.

My resolution was to switch back to serial cables. For my other device that required a serial connection, I used a USB-Serial converter and it works fine. The battery is on the actual serial connection (com1). APC recommends serial over USB if possible.

 

[gavm99]

Good work mofusjtf, I've had a note of that for future work!!

Gavin Moorhouse

http://www.lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk