Is it possible my UPS is screwing with my PC?

[frozenlead]

My pc has been restarting randomly lately, I haven't an idea why. I know my PSU is cutting it close on power, so I doubled up on them, but it didn't change it.
I moved my PC for a bit to the other side of the room to do some work there, and I don't remember it restarting there. But when I brought it back to this side, where my UPS resides, it started again. Right now the unit is plugged into the wall, and it hasn't restarted yet.
I'm sure there's something in a UPS that could cause this mess, but anyone got and specific ideas on it?

 

[zenmaster]

I've seen bum UPS cause PCs/Servers to restart.
I can't tell you what inside can cause it.

 

[cliffro]

Could be the battery needing replaced.

Ok, i did dig a little and found this.

I think I got the uptime as high as three years before the
building suffered a half-day power outage that drained the UPS.


A few years later, the machine started rebooting
for no apparent reason.
Turns out the UPS battery itself was dying and generating
its own mini-power outages.
Ironic that a UPS ended up creating power outages
instead of masking them.
But on the other hand, it was free,
so I can't complain.

Which reminds me, i think i need to change mine...its old enough now that i doubt it will last much longer...stupid old wiring surging and draining it.

 

[WR2]

I agree with cliffro. When my APC battery started giving up the ghost I was getting the same symptoms you mention. It didnt seem like the UPS was involved at first, but I ran the PC withou the UPS and the problems did not return. Since my UPS was more than 5 years old at the time I replaced it instead of replacing the battery.

 

[cliffro]

well depending on where you get the battery its sometimes more cost effective to just replace it(whole unit) and be done. But if you have a battery store nearby the batteries range from $20-40 at least at "Batteries Unlimited" a local battery specialist.

 

[WR2]

The newer models also have better features - USB connections and not serial Com1 - and better software IMO.

 

[frozenlead]

Mine's a nice APC 725, has usb support, but i never actually installed it. I didn't even think about the thing giving me problems. I don't know if it's still under warranty, but I'll look. Thanks, guys

 

[cliffro]

lol mine has none of that......I have an el'cheapo model APC BackUPS ES 350 the only additional plug i have is an ethernet port the converts to USB and monitors the battery. I've been eyeballing some bigger ones as mine is only good for 200w and as you can see my computer uses more than 200w

 

[WR2]

APC BE550R 550 VA 330 Watts should be about right for you cliffro - it won't hold up long if you're 3D gaming but I'm mostly concerned with un-attended PC at near idle and the usual home productivity activities.