 Software
FAQ
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1.
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Q:
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Which
software should I use? Sentinel or Xtreme ? |
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A:
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Xtreme is a more complex UPS monitoring and control software which provides higher capability for advanced
users, while Sentinel is a compact version which provides basic features such as shutting down PC when
utility power fails. Please also check the p.2 and p.3 of this FAQ to have a better idea on which package
you require.
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2. |
Q: |
Which UPS can Xtreme and Sentinel work with?
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A:
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Xtreme works with those OPTI-UPS uninterruptible power supply products that have serial (RS232) interface
port. This includes VS-C, ES-C, TS-B, PS-B and DS-B models with capacities up to 3000VA, both tower and
rack mount. Sentinel works with all current OPTI-UPS uninterruptible power supply products.
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3. |
Q: |
What is the difference between OPTI-SAFE Xtreme and Sentinel
software packages? |
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A:
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Basically there are two main differences: OS support and Remote Control capability.
Sentinel supports only Microsoft Windows OS family, and is only for 1 UPS to 1 PC configuration.
This software package is small, simple, and satisfies well all personal user’s needs. Xtreme supports
multitude of OS, can be used for configurations of 1 UPS to many PCs, and has many important additional
features. It is a heavier software package for professional users.
A simple feature comparison list is presented below.
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OPTI-SAFE Sentinel |
OPTI-SAFE Xtreme |
- Event logging
- Power status logging
- Notifications
- Scheduling
- On-event actions
- Multilingual design
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All capabilities of Sentinel plus:
- Remote monitoring
- Remote control
- Control over multiple PCs
- SNMP support
- Modular design
- Multi-OS design
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4.
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Q:
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What are the operating
systems supported by your software? |
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A:
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OPTI-SAFE Sentinel supports Microsoft Windows
series only - Windows
95/98/ME/2000/NT/XP/2003/Vista, while OPTI-SAFE
Xtreme not only supports Microsoft Windows
series, but also a wide variety of operating
systems such as Linux, Novell, IBM AIX, OS/2 and
others. Please visit our
software page
for further details. |
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5. |
Q: |
Can I run both Sentinel and Xtreme concurrently? |
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A:
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You can only have one software running, either
Xtreme or Sentinel, as they will both be
communicating through the same COM port, thus
impeding the communications of each other. |
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6.
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Q: |
What is the user name and password for OPTI-SAFE
Xtreme software, and how do I change it? |
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A: |
After installing OPTI-SAFE Xtreme software and
starting it, click on “Local UPS” to manage the
local UPS that is connected to your PC. The
software requires users to login before
accessing the configuration menu. The default
user name and password are “admin” and “1234”.
Users can change the login information by
clicking on “Account” on top of the software
screen and creating new user name and password.
Please refer to OPTI-SAFE Xtreme
User Manual
available for download on
www.OPTI-UPS.com. |
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7.
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Q: |
When I login into OPTI-SAFE Xtreme, I do not see
any graphics or diagrams, why?
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A:
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Please install the latest Java that came with
our software CD, it is required for the block
diagrams to show. You can also consider using
the web interface via your internet browser. It
has a simpler interface, which does not employ
Java.
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8. |
Q:
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If I do not have a PC, and I do not intend to
use the software, will it detriment my usage of
UPS?
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A:
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The software merely provides the user with the
capability of initiating a PC shutdown sequence
when there is a power failure, plus it provides
with UPS status information, and offers
additional features. UPS itself will function
with or without the prescribed software.
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9.
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Q:
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When
I try to access the software, it shows SNMP community
incorrect, how do I solve this? |
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A:
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OPTI-SAFE Xtreme software is originally designed
around its SNMP capability. In the previous
version of the software, which you apparently
are using, the software password and the SNMP
community name are the same. By changing
the community name you are actually changing
the Xtreme access password. If you forgot the
password, you can uninstall Xtreme software,
manually delete the Xtreme folders inside the
Program Files folder if you are using Microsoft
Windows, and then reinstall the software again.
The current version of Xtreme has SNMP community
name and Xtreme access password separated. |
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10.
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Q:
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I intend
to use USB connection for my UPS, which software
should I use? With which cable?? |
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A:
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Most of OPTI-UPS products come with RS232 serial
connection port – VS-C, TS-B, ES-C, PS-B; DS-B
models have both serial connection port and USB
port. All these models come with RS232 serial
connection cable; please note that you have to
use the cable supplied with your UPS, using a
similar cable purchased in a computer shop will
not give any results due to a different pin
assignment. GS-B, CS-B have USB port only, they
come with USB cable. OPTI-SAFE Sentinel works
well with both USB and RS232 connections. In
case your UPS is CS-B or GS-B, you can only use
Sentinel software package. If your UPS is VS-C,
TS-B, ES-C or PS-B you can use RS232 serial
cable with either Sentinel or Xtreme. If your
UPS is VS-C, TS-B, ES-C or PS-B, but your PC
doesn’t have a free COM port, you can purchase a
COM-to-USB cable from us (please check the item
220-02RB1-00 for VS-C, TS-B or ES-C models, or
220-02RB2-00 for PS-B models from our
list of accessories). |
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11.
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Q:
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I would like to shutdown my PC when power fails,
how do I
configure to the correct settings? |
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A: |
For OPTI-SAFE Xtreme, it is done in
Configuration -> Event Actions -> Power Failure.
Please be aware of the default value set for
this action.
For OPTI-SAFE Sentinel, it is done in System ->
System Configuration.
There are several things to keep in mind while
doing the configuration:
The Event Notification delay is for preventing
OPTI-SAFE software from showing power failure
notifications for short few seconds blackouts.
The Windows shutdown delay is the time OPTI-SAFE
software awaits for power to be restored before
it decides to safely shutdown your operating
system.
UPS shutdown delay is the time you allocate for
your OS to be shut down. The time necessary for
OS shutdown depends on many factors – the speed
of your PC, the OS you are using, the number of
programs running, etc. When OPTI-SAFE software
decides that it is time to shutdown the OS, it
sends out two signals: one – to OS to initiate
the OS shutdown sequence, the other – to UPS to
cut off the power in n minutes/seconds.
You need to set enough time as to enable your OS
to shutdown safely and completely. |
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12. |
Q:
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I'm
not receiving any reading through software, why? |
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A:
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Please check your COM port setting in OPTI-SAFE
software – make sure the COM port number
specified is the one you have connected the
cable to; verify that you're using the correct
cable that came with the UPS; make sure your COM
port is operational.
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13.
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Q:
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I
installed the software on Novell server, but it
is not communicating with the UPS, how do I
correct this ?
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A:
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Please load COM port through console by using
load aiocomx, load mathlib and
load powersrv for the program to run. For it
to run during startup, you should add these
lines to sys:system\autoexec.ncf. |
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14.
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Q:
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I
am using a USB-to-COM cable, with proper driver
installed, I still see “communication lost”
message when Xtreme/Sentinel boots up. Why?
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A:
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Please verify the COM port number assigned to
the cable through device manager, by right
clicking on My
Computer->Properties->Hardware->Device Manager.
Usually COM1 and COM2 are marked as being used,
we would recommend using either COM3 or COM4.
Once you make changes to the COM port
assignments, remember to restart your PC for it
to take effect. |
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15.
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Q:
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I try to install Xtreme in Linux operating
system, but it says that permission is denied
while install, why? |
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A:
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Please install the software with administrator
rights, or install using root account,
you can do so by giving SU - command
under console interface. |
Hardware
FAQ
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1.
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Q: |
My
UPS
is malfunctioning, where can I send it for repair? |
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A:
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Please contact our local branch, or our customer
service team at
optitech@opti-ups.com
for further assistance. |
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2.
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Q: |
For
replacing batteries, can I use the battery that
is
of a different rating than the one that came with
the UPS ? |
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A:
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For user replaceable batteries, we would
strongly recommend to use the same rating
battery as the one that resides in the UPS.
Using the battery that is of a higher rating
might result in the UPS electronics being
damaged due to overheat |
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3.
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Q:
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My VS-C or ES-C UPS keeps shutting down after 3
minutes in battery mode. The equipment connected
to this UPS consumes very little power. Is my
UPS or battery bad? |
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A:
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VS-C, CS-B, TS, TS-B and ES-C series UPS have a
built-in feature of shutdown at no load. This is
necessary to prevent deep battery discharge
(which causes battery to fail) if UPS is left on
with no load for a long time (days or weeks).
The UPS determines the No Load condition by
measuring the value of the load connected. If
this value is lower than approximately 30 Watt,
the UPS assumes that there is no load connected
to it, and shuts off in 3 minutes time. To
disable this function, if you are using TS, TS-B
or ES-C UPS, when turning on your UPS
hold the ON button longer, for 5 seconds, until
you hear 2 quick beeps. In VS-C and CS-B UPS the
feature cannot be disabled. |
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4.
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Q:
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Do I
have to charge the UPS when I receive it or I can
start using it right away? |
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A:
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You can start using it right away, but to ensure
best performance of your battery, we would
recommend charging the UPS for at least 8 hours
before starting using it. |
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5. |
Q:
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Can I connect my UPS to surge strips? |
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A:
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OPTI-UPS does not recommend connecting UPS to
any surge protectors, power strips or extension
cords. The UPS should be always plugged directly
into the wall receptacle. If you plug the UPS
into the socket of an extension cord, and use
other sockets of your extension cord for other
equipment, it might happen so that the current
going through your extension cord is too high,
which potentially may cause the fire. If you are
to use the extension cord, you must make sure
that the ampere rating of your wall outlet and
of your extension cord is higher than the total
ampere rating of all the equipment directly or
indirectly connected to this wall outlet.
Connecting a power strip to a UPS outlet can be
done if your UPS is a sine-wave type (PS-B,
DS-B). If your UPS is step-wave type, please use
the power strip without the function of surge
protection. |
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6. |
Q: |
Why won’t my OPTI-UPS power up? How to determine
if my OPTI-UPS needs to have a battery replaced? |
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A:
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OPTI-UPS systems must be charged for 8 hours
before initial boot up. If your OPTI-UPS has
been stored for an extended period, it must be
plugged in and allowed to charge for 24 hours
once every 3 to 6 months. Otherwise the UPS
batteries would start loosing their capacity.
Another reason for a bad battery would be the
normal tear and wear through years of operation.
When your OPTI-UPS’ “Battery Fault” LED
illuminates and audible alarm is given, this is
an indicator that the battery might have
deteriorated and requires a replacement.
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7. |
Q: |
What do different UPS’ audible alarms mean, and
how can I disable the alarm? |
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A: |
When your OPTI-UPS is producing an audible
alarm, it is also accompanied by a visual alarm
(LED or LCD Display) as well. The main reasons
for an audible alarm are:
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UPS is in battery mode: Audible alarm will
beep once every 2 seconds, and the amber
“on-battery” LED will also be illuminated.
This process will continue until AC power is
restored and the UPS is transferred back to
normal AC power. To disable this audible
alarm, simply press the Test/Silence
button. The alarm will resume with a faster
beeping when the battery is low, and the
next time the UPS switches into battery
mode, the alarm will beep again and need to
be disabled again.
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UPS battery low: Audible alarm will beep
twice every 2 seconds if the battery
capacity is low. This indicates the battery
is almost out of power and UPS will soon
turn off. This audible alarm cannot be
cleared.
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UPS is overloaded: Audible alarm will beep
loudly and constantly until the load is
reduced or system shutdown automatically.
The red “overload” LED will also be
illuminated. This audible alarm cannot be
disabled.
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8. |
Q: |
What are the possible reasons for my OPTI-UPS
product being not able to turn on?
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A:
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The most common reasons are as follows:
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Battery connection is loose. Please check battery connection.
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Battery voltage is too low or battery is
defective. If battery has not been used
or charged for a long period of time, or
if battery is defective. Please check
battery voltage and contact OPTI-UPS for
battery replacement if needed.
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AC utility power is not currently
present and the battery power is
depleted. Wait for mains power to
restore to recharge the batteries
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Safety fuse burned or circuit breaker
tripped. Please check safety fuse and
replace it if it is burned. Or check
and press the circuit breaker button on
the rear of the UPS if it has popped
out.
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Accessories
FAQ
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1. |
Q: |
What
is an USB Adapter? |
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A: |
A USB Adapter is a device designed to connect
your COM port only OPTI-UPS directly to the
Universal Serial Bus (USB) on your PC and still
allow you to have the full functionality of the
OPTI-SAFE Sentinel software. The Adapter is
directly connected to both the computer and the
UPS. The Adapter is an optional item and can be
purchased from us. (Refer to
Accessories
for more information) |
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2. |
Q:
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Why
do I need a USB Adapter? |
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A: |
Some computer systems are short of COM ports and
IRQs. The USB Adapter allows you to connect your
OPTI-UPS unit (in case it has only COM port
interface) directly to the USB port and save
your serial ports for other devices. |
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3. |
Q:
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I lost the CD with the OPTI-SAFE software that
came with my UPS, where else can I get it? |
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A: |
Please visit our website’s
software download page to download the
software package. |
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4.
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Q:
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How to replace a battery?
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A:
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Please find the procedures in the user's manual
or refer to the
battery replacement page on this web site. |
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OPTI-UPS International
Corporation all rights reserved
|
OPTI Frequently
Asked Questions --
UPS
