iMac Powered Through UPS Issues

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iMac Powered Through UPS Issues

We had couple of weather-related power failures three days ago and my iMac shut down, not staying on battery power. I have an APC LS 700 UPS - according to APC, my unit can handle my 24" iMac; Apple says "don't know unless we test your iMac and UPS, take to the Apple store" - problem is, I'm reluctant to drive 1.5 hours to the nearest apple store (due to advanced age). Frankly, I'm not sure if the two are compatible; if the the UPS supports the Mac, and vice-versa - both parties suggest I should ask the other - I think the apple expert got a bit POd at me because we could not understand each other... most people under 90 have a tendency to not know as much as younger ones. I tested the UPS by pulling the cord from the wall and plugging a lamp on the UPS - the lamp worked; I then tried to power-up the Mac while holding down the "option" key - it powered up but went down as soon as I lifted my finger from the "option" key. As far as I know there is no "Power Chute" program available for Macs... can any one here shed a light on this issue, do I necessarily need a larger UPS, like an LS900? The battery in my UPS is about 4 years old, APC is aware of its age and suggested no replacement knowing the history of my usage. Thanks in advance.

Pete (The Oldfella)

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.2), Mfr Part #MB420LL/A

Posted on Apr 27, 2010 7:19 AM

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Answer 1

macjack

Level 10

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Apr 27, 2010 7:24 AM in response to oldfella

No, there's no PowerCute software because it's already built-in to your Mac.
The best way to test is to let your Mac sit on for about 10 minutes and then pull the main.
The lamp sounds encouraging 😉

-mj

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Answer 2

oldfella Author

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Apr 27, 2010 7:38 AM in response to macjack

Thanks, MacJack

Pete (The Oldfella)

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Answer 3

direwolf8

Level 4

1,286 points

Apr 27, 2010 8:19 AM in response to oldfella

That UPS is very marginal for your 24" iMac. The UPS is spec'd at 410 watts. The 24" iMac is rated at 280 watts continuous, and it's not unusual to draw twice that briefly at startup, so while it might be adequate to sustain power, you could overload it while booting.

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Answer 4

oldfella Author

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Apr 27, 2010 9:55 AM in response to direwolf8

Thanks, DireWolf8 - I've decided to upgrade to a slightly larger UPS init, the LS 900 should do fine.

I've notice that the hidden Power toll/window does only shows "POWER - UPS", *it shows no "OPTONS" and no battery power/charge level or type and model of UPS in use*

Thanks all for you very able assistance.

Pete (The Oldfella)

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Answer 5

AK_Mike

Level 4

1,233 points

Apr 27, 2010 10:43 AM in response to oldfella

Do you have a USB cable connecting the UPS to the Mac?

AFAIK, unless you do that the Mac is not aware that it is running on a UPS and there is no way for the UPS to signal the Mac to shutdown in the event of power failure.

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Answer 6

oldfella Author

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Apr 27, 2010 10:57 AM in response to AK_Mike

AK-Mike - Yes, I do have a USB connection between the UPS and my iMac (Mac OS X 10.6.3)... My UPS (Case/Hardware) is 6 years old, although the battery is newer.

Pete

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Answer 7

AK_Mike

Level 4

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Apr 27, 2010 12:01 PM in response to oldfella

There have been a couple of times when our servers "lost" track of the APC SmartUPS. Sometimes unplugging the USB cable and doing a restart followed by another restart and replugging the cable in returned the UPS option to the Energy Saver control panel.

Once in a while it requires a reset of the NVRAM.

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Answer 8

oldfella Author

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Apr 27, 2010 12:21 PM in response to AK_Mike

Thanks, AK-Mike - I'll try the USB unplugging, replugging and restart, and will let you know if the power tool/window shows different... except the "NVRAN", I don't know what that is.

Pete (The Oldfella)

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Answer 9

AJ

Level 5

7,075 points

Apr 27, 2010 1:48 PM in response to oldfella

4 years on an LS700? Wow. I would consider you very fortunate.

We have a large number of the LS700s at work. After 6 months or so of use, the machines here (Dell GX620 and 755s), some dual flat panel 19s, some single flat panel 22's, will eat the LS 700s for lunch.

For the survivors of the warranty period, after a couple years, the units just fail, new battery, old battery, doesn't matter.

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Answer 10

oldfella Author

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Apr 27, 2010 2:39 PM in response to AJ

AJ - Yes, I'd say so. I am a very light user, "on" about 12 hours a day; not a gamer and don't use high energy peripherals.

Pete

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Answer 11

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Apr 27, 2010 4:06 PM in response to oldfella

oldfella wrote:
. . .
I tested the UPS by pulling the cord from the wall

Don't do that. That can damage your Mac. The reason is, when you pull the plug, you disconnect not only the power but the neutral and ground wires as well. Worse, depending on the length, size, and fit of the three prongs, there's no telling which one will disconnect first.

To test, manually turn off the circuit breaker. That disconnects the power only; not the neutral or ground.

By the way, I have an APC +Back-UPS ES 750+ rated at 750 VA/450 W, and it starts and runs my 24" iMac fine.

I then tried to power-up the Mac while holding down the "option" key

Why not power-up normally?

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Answer 12

oldfella Author

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Apr 27, 2010 4:41 PM in response to Pondini

[quote]Don't do that. That can damage your Mac. The reason is, when you pull the plug, you disconnect not only the power but the neutral and ground wires as well. Worse, depending on the length, size, and fit of the three prongs, there's no telling which one will disconnect first.

To test, manually turn off the circuit breaker. That disconnects the power only; not the neutral or ground.[/quote]

*I shut down the computer before pulling the plug*

[quote]Why not power-up normally?[/qiote]

*Was advised to do it by an Apple expert*

Pete

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Answer 13

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Apr 27, 2010 4:52 PM in response to oldfella

oldfella wrote:
. . .
*I shut down the computer before pulling the plug*

It can still damage your Mac, if the neutral disconnects before the power.

[quote]Why not power-up normally?[/qiote]

*Was advised to do it by an Apple expert*

Assuming you want a normal start, do a normal startup. Booting while holding down the Option key shows the +Startup Manager,+ which allows you to select a different boot volume than the default: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1310

Here are all the startup options (among other things): http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343

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Answer 14

oldfella Author

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Apr 27, 2010 7:01 PM in response to Pondini

OK, lets try this again, Mr. Pondini - the following is the procedure I followed as *guided by an Apple Adviser while on the phone*:

Disconnect: 1) Shut down computer the normal way; 2) Pull the computer plug from the UPS; 3) Pull the UPS plug from the source (wall); 4) Plugged the lamp to test the UPS' battery - battery test successful!

*Test the iMac with battery power, while the UPS not receiving power form source*: 1) Plug iMac to UPS' battery source; 2) Start iMac while holding down "option" key, *as told by Apple Adviser while on the phone* - Test failed, as explained before; 3) Unplug iMac.

*Start iMac*: 1) Plug UPS to source (wall); 2) Plug iMac to UPS; 2) Start iMac normally.

I hope the procedure I followed, as advised by an Apple Adviser while on the phone, meets with your approval... I merely did what I was told to do, the way I was told to do it. Thank you.

Pete

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Answer 15

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Apr 27, 2010 7:19 PM in response to oldfella

oldfella wrote:
. . .
2) Pull the computer plug from the UPS;

Ah, yes, that's better.

2) Start iMac while holding down "option" key,

I have no idea why they're telling you to do that. But if it doesn't boot, it doesn't boot.

Are you sure the battery is fully charged? (% charged should be shown towards the lower left of the UPS panel in +System Preferences > Energy Saver)+

If not, wait for it to get to 100%.

Be sure your Mac is plugged-in to the same plug on the UPS that the light was earlier.

With everything connected, and your Mac running, trip the breaker. If your Mac doesn't shut down, then the UPS works, and has enough power to run it, at least for a few moments (roughly 4 minutes, according to the APC website).

Watch the % of charge; it will probably drop very quickly. That would be more confirmation that you don't have enough power.

Turn the breaker back on, wait for the charge to get back to 100%. Trip the breaker again, then shut down your Mac and immediately try to power it back up.

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