Posted: 7/15/2007 4:49:27 PM EDT
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Hello guys. I "inherited" a new in the box (but obviously not very modern) APC Uninteruptible Power Supply, Model 500. It is mint condition but I don't know how old it is, perhaps a few years. So anyway I have a one year old Dell Computer with Windows XP Media Center Edition. I want to use the UPS. It comes with a CD, and a serial cable. Now what the heck is that stuff for and where would I attach it to the computer? The other stuff is simple... plug it into the electrical outlet, and plug the computer componenents into the back of the UPS. But the cable and software has me baffled. What does it do? Will the system not work without it? |
Oh. Shame, that would be nice. There's no serial to USB adapters are there? EDIT: There is ONE serial port on the computer... it is marked for the monitor. I used some fancy other connector to the monitor instead for some reason when I first got the computer. I don't suppose there is any way hooking it up there would work, is there? |
Plug UPS into wall, turn on, plug PC into UPS. That model probably won't run monitor unless it is LCD. You can also plug cable/DSL modem into UPS. Turn on PC. when power goes out, PC will stay on and the interweb will stay on, though if the monitor is not on, it isn't much use. You can disregard the cables and software. Hope this helps. ByteTheBullet (-: |
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I believe it is an LCD monitor. It's flat, if that helps. Sorry I'm ignorant about my own stuff but computers aren't my specialty. I remember when I bought it, I paid and extra $50 for the monitor but don't remember what for. Maybe High Def or something? I got help here on ARFCOM spec'ing it all out and it was pretty unanimous that I drop the extra $50 on whatever it was that I don't recall at the moment. Looking closer at the unit, it unfortunately only has 2 outlets to plug in back up power and one accessory port that has surge supression but no backup power. I guess it really is antiquated but again, it's free. |
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Yeah, the more I look at this thing, the more I realize it's an old relic. You're right, the software probably couldn't even hand WXP let alone the fact that I don't have the right cable. It's a safe bet that stuff is N/G. In the A.M. I'll check out the power loss function. If it doesn't work I'll toss the whole thing in the GAH-BAGE. Thanks guys. |
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Your UPS will have a user-replacable gell-cell battery. If the UPS is very old, the battery may be dead, but it will cost much less to replace the battery. APC will sell them, but you may get one even cheaper by Googling for an aftermarket equivalent. Yes, you will need a USB-to-Serial adapter, but WindowsXP has built-in drivers that will control most APC UPSs, and you can get updated drivers if you need them. UPS control hasn't changed much in the last 15 years. -Troy |