APC PowerChute software update

[Bluesun311]

New PowerChute software is out.

I wouldn't bother posting about it except that it solved a super annoying problem caused by the latest windows update. Apparently APC actually tests their products because that is a *really* fast official update+fix on software that was surprisingly stable for such an old release. The last version of PowerChute was released almost two and a half years ago.

Worked fine for me until this last Tuesday windows update. That day, after the update my computer started triple cold booting after waking up from sleep. No error messages. It's taken me this long to figure out it was the UPS... and the new software addresses it. The fix was posted within three days but I wasn't using the software I just had the USB cable plugged into the ups so windows knew it was there. So, I didn't have the auto update reminder configured. Bleh... at least the war is over.

 

[trick0502]

It's odd that it says it came out on 5/16. I just checked my sever and I am running 3.0.2. I checked the install date and it was march.

 

[Bluesun311]

It's odd that it says it came out on 5/16. I just checked my sever and I am running 3.0.2. I checked the install date and it was march.

I guess I'd call that a hotfix... I don't even think the updater would have known there was one. But I swear it fixed my problem. The software has copyright 2011 on it lol...

Edit: and... nope still doing it. So much for that "solution". Maybe the unit doesn't want to be plugged into windows 8.1 or it's bad.

Guess something is up with the way I have the UPS running or it's faulty, although it passes a self test. Problem really does go away if I plug the computer into the wall...

 

[Bluesun311]

Well, this ones worth a laugh since it didn't cost me any money--
I don't think that software is new at all, although they did put a date from 3 days ago on it. Probably just an update to the text file that comes with it saying it's compatible with windows 8.

The reason my computer was triple booting off resume from deep sleep while plugged into the UPS was that I had crammed 2 oversized adapter plugs in next to each other and one of them was not completely seated. Everything worked fine so I didn't think anything of it. But that's what was causing this. Pretty dumb.

 

[dandragonrage]

It's odd that it says it came out on 5/16. I just checked my sever and I am running 3.0.2. I checked the install date and it was march.

It takes a while to test things, so usually any files in a software update you get will be dated at least a month before the release of the update. Sometimes more.

APCUPSd and Network UPS Tools can run on Windows so if you can't get the official APC software working, they may be worth a try. I think Cygwin will be required for either one of those, though.

 

[Bluesun311]

Good gracious this is the most pervasive troubleshooting issue I've ever seen. Was solved last night... Today it's doing it again. Triple cold boot from deep sleep wake.

I gave up and called APC. They are sending me a new unit... and paying for return shipping... and I don't have to send the old unit until I get new one. Pretty damn good service.

I guess the thing got damaged from successive brownouts last week we had buncha storms. This unit was scratched out of the box and must have been a refurbished unit that got put in the new pile or something. Its serial had a full warranty on it, but the QC check paper on the side of it was taped over a big long scratch. I was going to send it back right away on Newegg's tab but my better half said it was no big deal. Hope the next unit fairs better than this one did. Super convenient UPS system but I'll be getting a more sophisticated one if this APC can't handle a few brownouts again.

 

[ep0x73]

I've had that version of powerchute installed on my Haswell build since last summer so it's certainly not new.
As you suggested probably an added lines to the text file or PDF.