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Configuring the Native Serial Shutdown Support in Windows 2000, XP, or 2003

Issue:
How to Configuring the Native Serial Shutdown Support in Windows 2000, XP, or 2003

Product Line:
None

Environment:
Windows 2000, XP, or 2003
NOTE: Native serial shutdown is not supported with Smart-UPS model family SMT, SMX, SC, SURTD, SRT, SMC

Cause:
None

Resolution:

Step #1:
Boot the PC to Windows. Connect the UPS to the PC using the appropriate serial cable. We need to find the power options applet inside control panel. Windows 2000  Click on Start > Settings > Control Panel > Power Options

Windows XP/2003  Click on Start > Control Panel > Power Options (note: You may have to select traditional view on the left to see the power options applet.)

Step #2: Once inside Power Options, 4 or 5 tabs will be available, depending on the system configuration. Click on the UPS tab to configure Windows to communicate serially with a UPS.

If the UPS tab is not present, uninstall all APC Software packages including PowerChute Plus and PowerChute Business Edition and reboot the machine. Upon reboot, the UPS tab will be present. Note: The UPS tab is NOT used to configure an APC USB UPS and will not appear if an APC USB UPS is attached to the computer.

Step #3: The UPS service is currently stopped. The UPS service, by default, is set to start manually. Once configured, the UPS service will start on bootup. Click the select button to begin configuration.

Step #4: Select American Power Conversion as a manufacturer; select the desired communication port (COM1 or COM2 from the drop down menu) and finally a UPS model family. Once the UPS has been selected, click finish.
Note 1: Please note that incorrect port settings may cause communications issues. Ports are listed under system/hardware/device manager. The proper port settings are:
2400 baud rate
8 data bits
No Parity
1 Stop Bit
Flow Control None
Advanced: No FIFO

Step #5: To save the new settings and start the UPS service, click Apply.

Step #6: The current Power Source is displayed letting you know the state of the UPS. If you are using a Smart Signaling UPS, you will also receive information such as Runtime, Battery Capacity and battery condition. To configure the shutdown behavior of the system, click the configure option.

Step #7: The UPS configuration page allows the configuration of the system shutdown options including: Notification, Critical Alarm Thresholds, Run a Command File, Shutdown behavior and sleep mode.
Note 2: If hibernation is not enabled, there will be no hibernation tab and it will not be listed in shutdown
options. If this is the case, your BIOS may not support hibernation or it may be disabled. Please see your computer manufacturer for instructions.

The first check box is to configure notification via popup messaging on the local machine. Here you can choose how long after the UPS switches to battery that you will receive the first notification. You can also choose the intervals to receive additional notifications.

The second checkbox sets the amount of time the system will run on battery before a critical alarm” state is reached. This time is set in minutes.

The third box is to run a user created command file. Most home users would not use this option. This is not a requirement and is completely optional.

Below the third box is a pull down menu allowing the selection of having the computer shutdown or hibernate (if using an ACPI enabled computer). Please note that on the Hibernate tab the enable hibernate box must be checked.

The last box (Finally, turn off the UPS) indicates whether the UPS will go to sleep following a graceful shutdown Note: this feature is only available on Smart signaling UPSs. This box needs to be checked to achieve an automated reboot of the system.

Click OK to save the settings.

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