[X4U] Suggestions on UPS Battery Solutions & Software

[Randy B.Singer]

Rod Duncan said:

>What he needs is protection from spikes, brownouts etc. with a 
>reliable battery UPS system that will automatically kick into battery 
>mode and then allow a "software controlled shutdown". While there are 
>lots of battery UPS systems available. (I like Belkin for price 
>performance)
>
>What software is available to allow an automatic shutdown in OSX? 
>Most software is designed to automatically reboot the system and keep 
>it up and running for servers etc. He just wants to be able to have 
>it safely shut down from emergency battery power after a 
>predetermined length of time, such as 20 minutes, if the main power 
>doesn't return.
>
>Suggestions for software in OSX for this?


I have a Belkin UPS.   I've had it for a few years now, and it has been 
as reliable as a rock. 

I exclusively used APC UPS's for many years, but when I purchased my last 
APC UPS I soon realized that APC now leaves off AVR (automatic voltage 
regulation) on what I would call their consumer-class models ($100 or 
less).  In fact, while using that last APC UPS that I purchased, every 
time that I turned on my laser printer (which was not attached to the 
UPS) there was a sag in the power that caused my Macintosh to shut down 
despite being attached to the APC UPS!  I returned the APC and got a 
Belkin.  The Belkin was cheaper, with better specs and features, and it 
includes AVR, which I consider to be something that a UPS should not be 
without. 

Here is the 800VA Belkin UPS for only $88:

<http://www.trendsandgadgets.com/product_info.php?products_id=3683&ad=fr100
3683>

If you need unattended shutdown software, Belkin has that available for 
free for OS X, including Panther, for use with their UPS's.

Bulldog Plus for OS X
<http://web.belkin.com/support/download/download.asp?download=F6C100-UNV&la
ng=1&mode=>

or

http://tinyurl.com/629g7



Randy B. Singer
Co-Author of: The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th and 6th editions)

Routine OS X Maintenance and Generic Troubleshooting
http://www.macattorney.com/ts.html