Solved No battery meter showing with UPS installed

[Adams Seven]

I own an APC UPS, model BR800. It is a relatively modern unit, and connects to my Win 7 Pro 64 bit computer.

The APC UPS comes with "PowerChute software." I have had endless, serious problems with this software, and would rather use Windows 7 to control the UPS instead.

I uninstalled the PowerChute software, uninstalled the device drivers, re-started the computer and then plugged the USB data cable back in. Windows 7 reported that it found the UPS unit and installed the drivers successfully. When I check 'device manager,' I see the drivers listed. All appears well.

Unfortunately, no battery meter appears in the system tray, and I can't configure Windows 7's handling of the UPS. I clicked 'customize' in the system tray, and 'Turn System Icons on or off.' The selection for Power is grayed out; I can't change it from off.

Can anyone tell me what I can do to get the battery meter in the system tray, and allow me to configure Windows 7's handling of the UPS?

 

[DeaconFrost]

As far as I know, the battery meter won't show unless you are actually running off the battery. It doesn't on either of my systems connected to APC UPSes. I also use the included software on one system, running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1, and I have no issues with it. What "serious issues" do you have? It doesn't really do anything to cause issues, as far as I can tell...just reports on the status of the UPS. The other system is my WHS MediaSmart Server, so I used the GridJunction add-in.

 

[Hopalong X]

Look in Control Panel then "Devices and Printers". It should be listed there. That is where mine is listed. You may find some options by opening that way. Double click or possibly right click the icon and then click Properties.

I have the CyberPower software since that is my brand. So I'm not sure what Windows installs exactly.

Mike

 

[Hopalong X]

Also there are possibly newer versions and updates for the APC software possibly here. BR-800 was not listed but BR-700 and BR-1000 were and use the same software shown in the box below.
Software / Firmware

I think this is the newest version 3.0.

Hope that helps.
Mike

Windows 7

PowerChute Personal Edition v3.0 (English Only)

SFPCPE30

10/18/2010

Download


PowerChute Personal Edition Operating System Compatibility ChartPDF
PowerChute Personal Edition v3.0 - Install Notes and Release NotesText File

 

[Adams Seven]

This article tells how UPS settings are supposed to work with the 'battery meter' icon in Windows 7 ... at least if the writer is correct!

Installing, configuring and testing a UPS for Windows 7

Here's a link to the .jpg that shows what I'm supposed to see ... and don't see:

http://media.techtarget.com/digitalguide/images/Misc/microsoft-windows-7-indepth-4.jpg

The issues with Powerchute are chronicled here:
APC Discussion Forums : PowerChute conflict hangs Win7 64 ...

... although the problems grew worse after I started that thread.

I was using the latest version of Powerchute, version 3. I also had problems with version 2, at least in Windows 7. I never had these problems in Win XP.

 

[Phone Man]

Also there are possibly newer versions and updates for the APC software possibly here. BR-800 was not listed but BR-700 and BR-1000 were and use the same software shown in the box below.
Software / Firmware

I think this is the newest version 3.0.

Hope that helps.
Mike

Windows 7

PowerChute Personal Edition v3.0 (English Only)

SFPCPE30

10/18/2010

Download


PowerChute Personal Edition Operating System Compatibility ChartPDF
PowerChute Personal Edition v3.0 - Install Notes and Release NotesText File

I just updated to 3.0 and I like the new Energy Usage feature. You put in you cost per KWh and it estimates your cost per day based on the draw it sees. My current draw is 3.46KWh and cost is $0.24. I am running my PC, LCD Monitor, Cable Modem, Router, Vontage Box and Wireless Phone system.

It will also track your total usage by Day,Week,Month or Year.

Jim

 

[Hopalong X]

APC hasn't upgraded their software to work with the 64bit.
I wasn't sure you had found the 3.0.

Control Panel> Power Options> Then follow my pics and click the yellow marked links left then right Snip then Advanced window opens.
That gets you to the Advanced Settings window.

Snips are taken from my PC.
Hope that helps.
Mike

 

[Adams Seven]

I have indeed seen those windows, Hopalong! Thanks for trying, though.

 

[sygnus21]

I own an APC UPS, model BR800. It is a relatively modern unit, and connects to my Win 7 Pro 64 bit computer.

The APC UPS comes with "PowerChute software." I have had endless, serious problems with this software, and would rather use Windows 7 to control the UPS instead.

I uninstalled the PowerChute software, uninstalled the device drivers, re-started the computer and then plugged the USB data cable back in. Windows 7 reported that it found the UPS unit and installed the drivers successfully. When I check 'device manager,' I see the drivers listed. All appears well.

Unfortunately, no battery meter appears in the system tray, and I can't configure Windows 7's handling of the UPS. I clicked 'customize' in the system tray, and 'Turn System Icons on or off.' The selection for Power is grayed out; I can't change it from off.

Can anyone tell me what I can do to get the battery meter in the system tray, and allow me to configure Windows 7's handling of the UPS?

Hi Adams,

I currently using version 3 of Power Chute right now and it seems to be working fine for me.....



This is after using version 2 for quite some time without issue....



I'm using an ES750 (BE750G). Anyways have you checked the USB cabe?

 

[Zepher]

I just updated to 3.0 and I like the new Energy Usage feature. You put in you cost per KWh and it estimates your cost per day based on the draw it sees. My current draw is 3.46KWh and cost is $0.24. I am running my PC, LCD Monitor, Cable Modem, Router, Vontage Box and Wireless Phone system.

It will also track your total usage by Day,Week,Month or Year.

Jim

Are you saying you are drawing 3.46KWh or is that the usage you have accumulated so far. I can't see a 3400watt draw from those few things you listed.

 

[Phone Man]

I just updated to 3.0 and I like the new Energy Usage feature. You put in you cost per KWh and it estimates your cost per day based on the draw it sees. My current draw is 3.46KWh and cost is $0.24. I am running my PC, LCD Monitor, Cable Modem, Router, Vontage Box and Wireless Phone system.

It will also track your total usage by Day,Week,Month or Year.

Jim

Are you saying you are drawing 3.46KWh or is that the usage you have accumulated so far. I can't see a 3400watt draw from those few things you listed.

No, my load is 144 watts. The 3.46kWh is the estimated usage per day if it is on 24hrs per day.

Jim

 

[brianzion]

hi all
my APC i used i had to run the powercute in compatibility mode on my windows 7 machine and it worked fine always a good idea to check the usb cable i found i had to replace mine from APC and connect direct to the machines usb ports not usb hubs. (i since upgraded to a belkin ups.)

 

[seekermeister]

I have an APC BX1000, but it is getting on in age, and the data collection no longer works, so I don't use Power Chute. I wasn't even aware that W7 loaded anything for this, because it doesn't appear in Devices And Printers, or elsewhere. I suppose that is due to the fact that my data collection doesn't work...right?

 

[brianzion]

there are some free ups programs on the web(should post this in the free programs section for everyone) i have used UPS Assistant 2.3.2.76 which is good runs ok on my windows 7 softpedia has it for download here >>> Download UPS Assistant 2.3.2.76 Free - Intended for monitoring the UPS' status. - Softpedia

Here are some key features of "UPS Assistant":
· Monitoring of status of the UPS, connected to a computer through USB-port;
· Logging accidents with the possibility of clearing and saving to a text file;
· Submitting reports on the status of the UPS with a given frequency and warnings of emergency situations via e-mail;
· Toggle UPS beeper;
· UPS battery test;
Suspend, hibernate, shutdown at power fail:
· at a voltage reduction on battery below admissible;
· through the set interval of time;
· Autorun with Windows;
· Adjustment of an interval of updating of the information on a status of the UPS;
· Save setiings in Windows registry.

 

[DeaconFrost]

The APC software runs on Windows 7 x64 just fine. I've been using it for nearly a year now, although I haven't upgraded to 3.0. IIRC, version 2.2 or so had split files for each platform, where as 3.0 seems to be a single file installer.

 

[sygnus21]

hi all
my APC i used i had to run the powercute in compatibility mode on my windows 7 machine and it worked fine always a good idea to check the usb cable i found i had to replace mine from APC and connect direct to the machines usb ports not usb hubs. (i since upgraded to a belkin ups.)

That's odd that you had to run in compatibility mode as I never did - either with version 2, and now version 3. I'm running Window 7 x64.

Screens showing both version - http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware...-meter-showing-ups-installed.html#post1320307

However I just now discovered that eveytime Windows restarts I have to give permission to allow Power Chute 3 to run. Never had to happen with Power Chute 2. I need to get that fixed or I'll just go back to 2.2.

 

[Zepher]

I just upgraded to 3.0,

 

[Adams Seven]

For the benefit of any others who stumble across this thread while wrestling with UPS issues of their own: an APC tech provided a link to a kbase article that fixed my problem:

Missing native shutdown battery options in windows 7 and Vista

I updated the driver, and now have a 'HID UPS Battery' listed under batteries in Device Manager, rather than an 'APC UPS' battery. The battery meter icon now appears in the system tray. Problem solved!

 

[Hopalong X]

Thanks for the update for others to use.

Glad you have it fixed.
Mike

 

[brianzion]

nice update that will help guys/girls with a APC UPS. mine is a belkin and it uses a program called winpower does a good job we have a few power cuts around where i am based so it a good thing to use plus it regulates the power to the machine and gives it what it wants. i up -graded from a APS UPS for the windows 7, but i still use it for my xp pro machine. and use the powerchute on that. has anyone else tried the UPS Assistant 2.3.2.76 which i mentioned in post 14? in the snapshot is my winpower software.