A desktop Mac’s hardware and/or data can be damaged by electric power problems: spikes, dips ('brownouts'), and sudden power losses. Do yourself a large favor - get a U.P.S. System ('Uninterruptible Power Supply,' aka battery backup). You can now get them with a USB cable that connects to your Mac, for under $70 (for most desktop Macs).

It will run your Mac (and external HD, modem, etc, but not a printer) for at least a few minutes, and will signal OSX (via the USB cable) when it's switched from utility power to battery, so OSX can do a controlled power-down. Thus you're protected against both surges and dips in power, and your Mac won't have an abnormal shutdown when they occur, which can damage your file system.

Cyberpower Ups Software

You can also get systems that will run your Mac longer, but of course they’ll cost more. Most have two sets of outlets; one for battery back-up, another for surge protection only. Many also have sockets to protect telephone and/or cable TV lines, too. (or surge protector) is perfect; there’s a small chance that a direct lightning strike on your power lines might be too much for it. Most of the makers include a policy that will replace your equipment if it’s damaged in such circumstances, and some will pay for data recovery, too.

When you connect the USB cable, you'll get a new set of options in System Preferences Energy Saver, where you can tell OSX when to do the shutdown - after a specified number of minutes on battery; and/or when the battery is at a specified percentage; and/or when there's a specified number of minutes left on battery power. See the screen samples below. An additional tab, UPS, is added next to the Power tab at the top. When you click it, you’ll see a separate, slightly-different version. These settings are in effect only while running on battery power. (Some other options will vary by Mac and version of OSX.).

Note: the Start up automatically. Box may not work, depending on the timing and your UPS. Before shutting down, OSX tells the UPS to stop supplying power after 4 minutes, and to restore power 3 minutes after utility power is restored. Thus if utility power is restored within that 4-minute window, the UPS won’t power off and back on, so OSX won’t see power cut, then restored. Also, not all UPS systems support this feature; the APC 'Back UPS ES' series does not appear to. (or dips too low), your Mac will send this notice, but continue to run normally, until one of the conditions you set is met. If power is restored before that, of course, your Mac will continue running normally (but the message won't disappear until you click OK).

When that message is sent to your screen, OSX also sends a ' PowerManagement: UPS low power warning' message to your system.log. See the tan box in if you're not sure how to find your system.log, and the blue box there to help decipher it. Unfortunately, there's no similar message when the UPS switches back to utility power. Note that OSX can only attempt a normal shutdown, similar to you doing a Shut Down from the Apple Menu.

If an app has unsaved changes, and puts up a message asking if you want to save them, OSX will close all the other apps it can, but cannot complete the power-down without a response. Your Mac will continue to run until power is restored or the UPS runs out of battery power. So if any such apps have an autosave feature, use it; and try not to leave your Mac running unattended for long with unsaved changes. Most electronics stores sell U.P.S. Systems, and of course you can buy them online (but as the batteries are heavy, they may be expensive to ship). Some of the major makers are:. I've had good luck with them.

Also worked well. Some of those sites have features you can use to determine which of their products you need, to run your hardware for a selected period of time.

(They tend to overestimate your requirements, since they assume running at full power). Just be sure to get one with a USB cable. When OSX recognizes that you’ve connected the USB cable, you’ll see new options on the Energy Saver panel of System Preferences.

If the U.P.S. Comes with software to be installed on your computer. Don’t - OSX has it built-in. (In fact, installing APC's Power Chute software may prevent OSX from working properly - you must uninstall it using the CD; don't just remove the icon from the System Preferences panel.) Be sure to plug the UPS system into an outlet directly, not via a surge suppressor, extension cord, or power strip.

This A-to-Z guide is one of the many online resources that CyberPower offers. Tried that and on pulling the AC power everything went off immediately. Although we make every effort to present accurate information, Bizrate is not responsible for inaccuracies. Anyway, I thought I’d do a second test, this time with something not-really running on it. Mine is in the tagline and it works fantastic and kept my system running for almost 3 hours during a power outage and it never did drop off.

Thank you for submitting your information. Uploader: Date Added: 12 July 2017 File Size: 65.63 Mb Operating Systems: Windows NT/2000/XP/2003/2003/7/8/10 MacOS 10/X Downloads: 30671 Price: Free.Free Regsitration Required Thank you for signing up. A CyberPower representative will get in contact with you shortly. Sign in to vote. Your Inquiry I am inquiring about: A shut down laptop connected to the battery backup and the PC fully powered uzb. If the hub does not install automatically as soon as the device is plugged into cyberpower usb to serial adapter PC, please visit www. Your name or email address: Well I’ve never had a Cyberpower UPS before and my previous experience has been picking up all-metal encased ones.

To join and use the Program, every Participant must agree to the following: I can’t find them anywhere online. I also had trouble getting the unit to power back on once Cyberpowet plugged it back in. Cyberpower Serial to USB and a GPS unit – Ars Technica OpenForum General Power adapters, extension cords, power strips. Your email is safe – Privacy Policy. Connected Equipment Surge only outlets: Thank you for submitting your information.

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CP-USBDB9-BG Power Accessories chargers, inverters, hubs, battery banks. Manually verify every device on your system for driver updates B. DJ9May 10, Over Kbps Compatible with: These ports are used to host Human Interface Devices like keyboards and mice pointing devices. It has been plugged in over 10 hours now so it should be fully charged, but to at least show this cyberpower usb to serial adapter like the serial connection between the two was t properly. Agree and Submit Cancel.

Run a free scan for Windows errors. Cybsrpower doing that thing where it won’t cyberpower usb to serial adapter back on again, too. The CyberPower Product FAQs offer straightforward knowledge, from explanations about product installation to details about how to configure your power management software. Information provided will be used for CyberPower’s internal use only. CyberPower reserves the right to cancel this Agreement or the Program, or modify price and co-op fund schedules at any time, and for any reason, on prior written notification to Participant.

UPS serial cables (CyberPower). See warranty for details. Agree and Submit Cancel. General Power adapters, extension cords, power strips.

Your Inquiry I am inquiring about: Not an IT pro?