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Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
UPS (Uninterruptible Power System)
- Why do I need a UPS?
- What is a “Smart” UPS?
- How do I determine what size UPS to get?
- Should I put a UPS at each workstation?
- Is there any equipment I should not connect to my UPS?
- Why do I need UPSMON?
- How does my UPS conflict with other devices?
- The charge light (Yellow) on my King Office UPS is always illuminated. Is this unit bad?
- I plugged the UPS into wall outlet, but there is no power from the UPS. Why?
- What should I do with my non working UPS. The company I bought the unit from is closed?
MODEM
- Why did I get a "Modem not found" message?
- Why does my mouse act erratically while attempting to use the modem?
- Why do I get excessive CRC errors during a Z-modem download at high speeds?
- How do I enable error correction/data compression?
- What causes Aborted downloads?
- Why do I get a "No Dialtone" message?
- How do I Disable V.42/V.42bis?
- My modem works in DOS, why won't it work in WINDOWS?
- Modem cannot disconnect from the line?
If your question is not listed above, please
Call our Technical Support at (714)632-8876 or (714)632-8889 ext.
114 or
Send Email to: CustSrvPAI@aol.com
Why do I need a UPS (uninterruptible power supply)?
If you need optimum performance and longevity from your electronic equipment and if you need a reliable short-term backup power source in the event of a blackout, then you need a UPS to protect your equipment.
What is a “Smart” UPS?
The real meaning of “smart” UPS is one, which has a built-in microprocessor and an RS-232 interface port. In addition to automatic shutdown capability, a “smart” UPS is able to monitor more operating parameters, such as: Input & Output Voltage and frequency, Load Level, Battery level, and more.
How do I determine what size UPS to get?
UPSs are sized by their volt-amp (VA) load. To calculate the VA load of your system check the UL label for the operating voltage and amperage drawn. Add the amperages of each component to be powered by the UPS and multiply the number by the voltage (120V for US applications). This number is your VA load and the minimum size required. It is good idea to size your UPS at least 30% larger than the minimum VA load to leave room for future needs.
Should I put a UPS at each workstation?
Yes, it is a good idea because this is where the most recent work is being done, and this data is most vulnerable to loss or corruption in the event of power outage.
Is there any equipment I should not connect to my UPS?
In general, you shouldn’t connect a laser printer to your UPS because a laser printer draws a tremendous amount of power and will likely overload your UPS and cause the UPS fuse to blow. Most of the office equipment, such as computers, monitors, fax machines, and networking equipment, should work fine with most UPSs. Do bear in mind that larger size monitors consume much more power than smaller monitors and will likely reduce battery runtime significantly. Also you should not connect a surge suppressor at the output of UPS, in case the surge suppressor creates a short circuit and damages your UPS.
Why do I need UPSMON (the power monitoring and automatic shutdown software)?
During a power interruption, a decision must be made when and if to gracefully shutdown the computer system. On a computer system that always has someone within earshot and eyeshot, this is usually done manually – when the UPS kicks on during a power failure, the administrator decides whether to ride it out on battery power or to save files and close programs. However, on an unattended computer system, nobody is around to make that decision. In that case, during a power failure, the UPS will kick on and run the computer system, but only until its battery is depleted. Therefore, it is important to have automatic shutdown software that will safely shut down the computer system after a pre-configured time period of when the computer receives a low battery signal from the UPS. UPS monitoring and automatic shutdown software also can broadcast power fail messages to network workstations, keep an historical log of abnormal power conditions, and alert the system to page the administrator.
How does my UPS conflict with other devices?
If your mouse uses COM1 and your UPS uses
COM2, the default hardware interrupt (IRQ) settings for COM1 and COM2 are IRQ4 and IRQ3
respectively. If your modem on COM3 is also using IRQ3 there will be a conflict with the
UPS on COM2. Since serial devices can not share a communication port or its hardware
interrupt, the interrupt for the modem must be altered. Check with the modem manual to
find out how to change the IRQ setting. Suggested IRQ includes 5 and 10. If these two IRQs
are not free in your system, you can use IRQ7 since LPT1 is capable of sharing it’s
IRQ.
The
charge light (Yellow) on my King Office UPS is always illuminated. Is this unit bad?
The charging light indicator is
normally illuminated on the King Office Models (KOF-280, KOF-300S, KOF-500S).
I
plugged the UPS into wall outlet, but there is no power from the UPS. Why?
You have not turned your UPS on. The
power switch on King Office Series UPS have button switch located on the top of the unit
and labeled "on/test". To turn the UPS on, depress the button and hold it down
until the green LED light " Line OK" turns on and stay on. When the unit is
activated, it performs a self test for short period of time. During this process, the Line
OK light will turn off momentarily and the Backup LED will turn on. After approximately 2
seconds, the Backup LED turns off and the LINE OK LED will turn on and remain steady on.
What
should I do with my non working UPS. The company I bought the unit from is closed?
You can call the RMA Department at Powercom at
(714)632-8853 to obtain an RMA number. You need to provide the technician information
regarding your device and a copy of the invoice.
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Why did I get a "Modem
not found" message? (internal modem)
Possible IRQ conflicts.Most modern computer systems have two serial ports on the
backpanel. These are recognized by the computer as COM1 and COM2. A conflict occurs when
the modem is configured on either of these ports.To remedy this, set the modem up for COM3
with IRQ5, or COM4 with IRQ3. Availability of these ports/IRQs depends on the
configuration of the system.
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Why does my mouse act erratically
while attempting to use the modem? (internal modem)
IRQ conflict. Most serial mice use COM1 with IRQ4. If the modem is configured for COM3
IRQ4, this will cause a conflict with the mouse (also usingIRQ4). Typically this occurs
after the modem initializes, but may also occur upon installation.Set modem for COM3 with
IRQ5, or COM4 with IRQ3.
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Why do I get excessive CRC
errors during a Z-modem download at high speeds?
This can be caused by a number of factors. If the modem is external, does the
serial card have a 16550 UART? Lower Buffer size for UART?
· What type of computer is being used? Slower machines may not be able to support high speeds effectively.
· Is there a hard disk stacking/doubling program in use? This creates a situation where the CPU is busy compressing data to be written to hard disk when modem is sending new data. The new data is then lost, creating CRC errors. Is the modem's error correction/data compression turned on?
General remedy: Lower the port speed. This will cut down on the data entering the system, allowing for proper data management.
How do I enable error
correction/data compression? (V.42/V.42bis)
Use the initialization
String: AT&FE1L1V1&C1&D2S0=0S7=90 for most software. Also, make sure
the software has RTS/CTS turned on, XON/XOFF turned off, and Autobaud turned off. (This
option may be labeled Lock Port Speed, or Lock DTE speed, if this is the case, turn it
on.)
What
causes Aborted downloads?
If a download becomes
inundated with errors, the host system may terminate the download. If carrier is lost, the
download will abort. Download may also be aborted by the at user.
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Why do I get a "No
Dialtone" message?
Most common cause is the
phone cord not plugged into the proper jack on the back of the modem. The cord should go
between the telephone wall jack and the LINE jack on the modem. If a phone is to be used
in conjunction with the modem, plug it into the PHONE jack on the modem. Other causes
areModem being used on a business PBX system on which special code or other action is
required to get an outside line, bad phone cord.
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How do I Disable
V.42/V.42bis?
Sometimes it is necessary to
disable Error Correction/Data Compression in order to use an on-line service. (Prodigy,
America On Line, Compuserve, etc.) If this is necessary, use the string AT&F.
This resets the modem to factory defaults. (No EC/DC)
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My modem works in DOS, why won't it work in WINDOWS?
Most commonly, the com ports
in windows have not been configured properly. To do this, go to the "CONTROL
PANEL" in Windows. Select "PORTS". Highlight the comport that the modem is
set for. Choose "SETTINGS". Adjust the baud rate as necessary, but do not set
the baud rate above 9,200 bps. Select "ADVANCED". Choose the appropriate Base
I/O Port Address and IRQ Settings. Choose "OK". A "Your Windows COM
Settings Have Changed...Please Restart Windows to have these changes take effect."
message will appear if you have made significant changes. Select "RESTART NOW".
Your modem should now be recognized by Windows.
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Modem cannot disconnect from the line?
If the modem cannot
disconnect after terminating the program using the modem, the modem may be defective.
Contact Tech Support for advice at (714)632-8876.
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Powercom America, Inc.
1040A S. Melrose St. Placentia, California 92870-7119
Tel No. (714)632-8889 Fax No. (714)632-8868
Updated 1/2000