New in the Box for Twenty-One Years: APC Smart-UPS 600

[@PrimeHiFi]

Only you, Bill, can make a video about a 21 year old APC battery interesting and funny... Love the videos dude :)

[@FFcossag]

Awesome. New old stock is amazing stuff. Curiously, I've never seen a Smart-UPS of that era before, around here. Maybe they never came to Europe with the Smart-UPS line before the late 90's white ones. I hope you get it to do something, that thing deserves to power at least one computer through one outage in its life.

[@vwestlife]

The last version of Novell NetWare was in 2009. I saw one of the little BackUPS models at the thrift store yesterday, with a $14.99 price tag and surely a long-dead battery inside.

[@XodiumLabs]

+vwestlife I also believe it has support through this year and self support though 2017; it was replaced by Novell Open Enterprise Server, as well.

[@dazzyboba]

+vwestlife i got a back ups 650 from savers for 5 dollars

[@Halterung01]

4:53 Taking a nap as the cure for the world's problems. That advice made you remind me of Jake The Dog of the series Adventure Time, he always gives cute advices like that.

[@cee128d]

Loved how the pamphlet talks about 486DX systems.

[@LightTheUnicorn]

Pretty strange to think that UPS is a year older than myself, and just been sitting new! I've seen a few cases first hand of people buying various bits new, and just never getting around to using them. On the plus side, we did get a tiny bit of snow (or heavy frost really) here the other day, easily one of the best things about this time of year!

[@watcher206]

does the siren goes off every day of the afternoon, or is there a specific day? Where I am at, my town's siren goes of at 12 too, but it only does so every Friday.

[@uxwbill]

+watcher206 It goes off five days a week, and sometimes Saturday.

[@DanOConnorTech]

Compuserve is still around. I had it since 1989 until I cancelled my ATT land-line last year. I was paying about $7/month for its dial-up service. I could connect between 36 & 40 Kbit/s on my old ATT wiring. It wasn't too usable with any modern material (video) but I kept it as sort of a novelty. If you want to see it in action search my channel. I posted a video there in 2012 showing it in action on my 1998 Gateway.

[@spywarefinder]

Hope you’re doing well, uxwbill! I’ve been watching your videos way back in 2012 and I’m always watching your videos and I came across this particular video which I love so much! Keep the videos coming and many more Dell movies!! Take care!

[@tough213]

great video and great explination of how the company works and the features they cover and how to use

[@barovelli]

A long ago employer had a big big UPS, about as big as a 9595 tower. It came with a shipment of stuff for some important IT project, but was not put into service because it had a 30 amp twist lock plug that was not compatible with any socket in the communications room. Thing sat there for a couple years waiting for someone to put a proper socket in the wall. It was eventually superseded by a circuit that was on a generator and transfer switch. We managed to put the giant UPS to good use in the drafting room. Yah we cut off the the twist lock plug and put a 20 amp "normal" plug on the cord. It fired up and charged just fine.

[@LZGAjeepslav799]

6:38 Sounds like a T-128. I used to remember siren names by the sound but that was years ago before my interests and hobbies shifted.

[@beaker15tyler39]

Wow was that a Civil Defense Siren?

[@1marcelfilms]

Really awesome!. i had these dried up batteries found on the attic and i just refilled them with special water and it holds a charge fine

[@willptech7565]

The thumb nail of this video explains why to never use HP computers!

[@uxwbill]

Yes, yes it does. :-)

[@digitalrailroader]

18:15 I can actually vouch that they still issue those Quality Assurance Reciepts; my family just recently purchased a Back-UPS Connect 70 (Model BGE70) to keep our VOiP Telephone Modem and Internet Router up and running during a power failure; it was tested on 2/28/2014 and it passed with flying colors!

[@uxwbill]

+digitalrailroader That they certainly do! I'm kind of surprised by how little they've changed over time, and that APC/Schneider still tests each unit coming off the line.

[@compositeguy4696]

omg YUS! a new uxwbill video! my life is complete, i've got some soda and chips

[@queenofyeay]

Here in Las Vegas we used to have a siren a couple of miles from my house that would sound at 12 noon on saturdays. It was always an interesting occurrence on the rare instances when I found myself outside at those times. Sadly, it has been perhaps 20 years since the siren last went off.

[@j.m.74]

+MISTERComaToes I'm in east central MN, and the sirens here get tested on the first Wed. of every month at 1 PM.

[@dklucas1]

I have a Back-UPS 550 with the powerchute personal software,i am very happy with APC products

[@WOSArchives]

My old school used Novell NetWare/Open Enterprise Server until around 2012 when they switched to Active Directory in preparation for the upgrade of their computers from Windows XP to Windows 7. I still remember being surprised seeing the standard Windows XP login prompt instead of the Novell Client For Windows the day that we returned from Christmas break.

[@francistheodorecatte]

I saw a Netware system still running in December of 2013, with no real chance of it being retired any time soon. This wasn't at a small organization, either.

[@Roadsguy]

I just happened to check your channel and saw a new video uploaded _15 seconds_ ago. Insert overused line about the timing of this comment here. :P (EDIT: Seems the line break bug only affects my Surface, not my normal computer.)

[@truepcs]

APC does NOT manufacture anything here in West Kingston, they only have offices here now, everything is produced over seas now. That unit was manufactured before my time by @ 1-2 months, and when I started working at APC that version was just ending, than goodness. That version "2G" was horrible to work on and everyone was very thankful when it was discontinued for the "3G" 450/700 style and we quickly removed every trace of it from the plant very quickly as just the site of it gave us techs headaches. Although the "2G" larger units were just the opposite, they were very easy to work on and were reliable and overbuilt. Ray (who signed the test slip) worked there for another year before it quit for a better job, knew him well.

[@markm0000]

Mark Brown neat! What a small world. Wouldn't expect the amount of people in the industry that watch and comment on these videos.

[@johanengineer4654]

press the on and alarm silent buttons simultaneously to cold start it. i used to own one of these. they are good quality units. not very power efficient though.

[@KrissBartlett]

hope you get some good batteries cant you try charging those first ?

[@KrissBartlett]

cool ok you got it going then ?

[@averyalexander2303]

No. Those batteries are no doubt finished.

[@adey88splace]

"anything interesting..." that sounds promising.

[@illstateofmind]

Needs a new flux capacitor.

[@steventhompson4013]

gotta get into tornado sirens!

[@RonnieAugeri]

Great find! when these units age, is it possible that they can ruin batteries? I have a apc 1400 watt rack mount unit that apparently had new batteries installed when I got it. After a year, they crapped out and now the unit has been sitting for over a year. I wonder if its one battery that has gone bad and I can just replace that one. Do you have a particular ebay seller that has good batteries for a good price? Thanks.

[@uxwbill]

+Ronnie Augeri It's possible but unlikely. I would suspect old stock, a bad batch or particularly poor quality batteries. (Power Sonic's batteries are decent quality and they're sold by a lot of people as replacements for these units. However, they don't seem to like the high discharge load that these UPSes can place on them. CSB's batteries are some of the best. Most of the rest fall somewhere in between for UPS applications.) Match the batteries when you replace them. Don't mix old and new batteries. There is a programming mode that on *some units* can be used to dial down the charging voltage in case it is too high. Not all units support this method, even if they appear to respond to it. Be very careful: if you enter the programming mode, it is very possible to mess up your UPS.

[@RonnieAugeri]

+uxwbill Thanks for the info! I'll try get those replaced soon as I am tired of brown outs corrupting my backups. As far as the old batteries if they are still decent and I decide to use them for random projects, can they be charged with a 12 volt automotive 2 amp battery charger or is that too much charging current?

[@uxwbill]

+Ronnie Augeri A two amp charging current is going to be pretty harsh for these batteries and it might finish off whatever's left of them. The usual spec is about one amp maximum charging current and APC usually uses quite a bit less -- around 200-800 mA depending upon the state of charge. When the batteries are fully charged, the charging circuit's output should drop to nearly nothing. You can probably do it and get away with it, but I'd highly recommend doing so only in an open, well ventilated area.

[@itsmesb4399]

I would absolutely love to get one of these UPS’

[@fallingwater]

I tried running an old UPS on a PSU like you're doing in the video, and it was a total non-starter. Same UPS ran fine when connected to two old batteries. I don't exactly know why they behave like this, but don't rule it out just because it doesn't start on the PSU.

[@mercuryoak2]

Interesting video. Also that siren i could guess correct me if im wrong is either a fire alarm test or the tornado warning alarm test?

[@mercuryoak2]

Ahhhh i see . So they have this noon whistle just to tell you its noon. That all? Just curious cause i never heard it i don't believe in the videos

[@mercuryoak2]

Wow hey you know its interesting how different states work or i should say different towns. And yeah i remember , especially if a bored uxwbill is around lol. But i tell ya you and vwestlife have shops that have computer finds. Myself have heck time finding some things. I feel like how you guys see it even tho its old to some it becomes something new to others like the ibm ps2 and such.

[@mercuryoak2]

I had my highschool before i graduated in 2005 was gonna give me couple compaq deskpro en systems the superintendent said no because it had vital information could be on desktops. Take the hard drives i said. Again they said no. Crazy i tell ya. And if. Not desk pro en they were something probably more in the Pentium dual-core range

[@moldymac]

I've had these old things hooked up with car batteries in the past. Safe? Nah, but it worked. BTW. I was happy to see you and I have the same blue and black screw drivers. Never saw another one like it with the triangle shaped handle.

[@warrenmacdonald1372]

I was a Compuserve customer in the late '80's. It was $20 per hour from a 2400 baud dial-up!!

[@thedebug3866]

We just got hit by a snow flurry down here in ohio, have you gotten anything over there yet?

[@windowsuser321]

As a reference to the video description (I always read it before watching the video), I don't think I'll ever grow out of liking the snow. I know when you get older it means not being able to get places, but it also means (if those bastards don't plow your road) you don't have to go to school/work!

[@jrf0828]

You should do a video on your truck!

[@yorgle11]

I don't think I had even heard of the internet in 1994. I think it was in early 1995 that my family bought a modem, which came with trial offers from about 5 different online services. CompuServe was one of them. We tried them all of course, before settling on AOL. At some point AOL added a link to the internet, but I didn't see much point in it at the time. Those were the days when time spent online was costly, so there wasn't time for screwing around aimlessly on some obtuse "web" thingy of unknown value beyond what was already hosted on AOL proper. I had heard of CompuServe a few years earlier because some relatives were using it. That was the first such service I ever saw. I still remember how the users of that service didn't get to give themselves a username in the modern sense, but instead just had a number. It had such a catchy and personal touch to it. Hi, I'm 92372283.

[@RetroPCUser]

Got a GeekSquad GS-685U at my local thrift store for $7.99 + tax (dead battery included) and I tried to turn the unit on and it just emits a beep (with it plugged in, of course). Should I just buy a new battery for it and see what happens?

[@uxwbill]

Most probably, I have no idea. It's a rebadged Cyberpower unit.

[@RetroPCUser]

I checked the PSU for blown caps, including the tantrum caps, and they look great. Not blown whatsoever, and I noticed the wiring fault light was on (mainly because the cord they had wasn't grounded properly or bad), but hooking it up to a surge protector or another power strip didn't show the light. On top of things not working, the Zenith VCR I purchased has grungy heads and whenever I play a tape, it looks bad, and a Compaq Presario F700 I got for $3 won't power on due to the DC power/USB board is shot, but the battery holds a charge (now a spare for my C700 Laptop). The LEDs on the laptop turn on for a second, then it shuts off. No swollen caps, bad diodes or resistors on the motherboard. Would it be the DC power/USB board be the culprit? I'm planning on using the laptop as a pfSense firewall for my network connected to a Cisco Catalyst 2950 48 port switch w/ 2 1000BaseT uplinks and the crypto image for SSHing.

[@RetroPCUser]

+uxwbill Just installed a new battery and it turns on once again, and it works!!! Now, to get the "Black Plague" F700 notebook to run again (tested the battery on my C700 and it works, the AC charger works, the DC jack works on the laptop, the fan does spin, the optical drive light turns on, and all of the LEDs turn on as well. Looks like the motherboard is fried or a bad CPU/GPU, or in everyone's case, a lawsuit against Compaq/HP for a bad GPU (nVidia GPU).

[@xeobit2781]

These are so called "Generation 1" units, right? Generation 3 and Generation 4 are the White "SU" and the Black "SUA". If I am not mistaken, and these are generation 1, could anyone advise me where or what generation 2 units are as I would be interested? Also, if you have money to spare, there's a few hot swap boxes on ebay coming and going.

[@uxwbill]

The UPS is considered a "second generation" model. So far as I'm aware, there wasn't a "first generation" model, though something like APC's 1200VX or 800RT models would have come close. (Both of these have true sine-wave output, paired with simple signaling communications. They're also from the right time frame, of the late 1980s to the early 1990s.) The 4th generation products are those that communicate using "Microlink" protocol rather than the "UPSlink" or APC Smart protocol. There's also a "3.5" generation, basically a third generation model with a few revisions to the design (like a fan that runs continuously on the 2200VA Smart UPS).

[@xaer0knight]

Racine, WI... damn foot of snow in 6 hours or so. Sadly, winter is here :(

[@millerzj9GamingV2]

You live in Racine? I live in Ozaukee so not too far away.

[@bakonfreek]

Novell...my school uses that as an excuse to not put 64-bit Windows on their computers (at least the computers that still use Windows, right after I graduated, they seem to have switched entirely over to chromebooks).

[@msylvain59]

I actually have been a hot-liner for Compuserve Europe, from 1998 to 2008.

[@msylvain59]

+uxwbill Yesit was telephone mostly, also help forums, feedback e-mails, writing help procedures, and a little beta-testing.

[@KainiaKaria]

I have not seen a Novell system since 2008. I really want to be a freelance computer consultant.

[@zx8401ztv]

Its alive!! :-D, and well worth a couple of batterys bill, bullet proof quality from the usa :-D And as far as your age is concerned, it has never mattered to me, intellegence/cleverness has nothing to do with age, im happy to learn from people young and old :-D. Never underestimate anyone, we are all different.

[@HDXFH]

Batteries would not have current there though!!

[@HamburgerExplosion]

OMG uxwbill, what was happening??

[@HamburgerExplosion]

+uxwbill 6:45 :-)

[@Racecar564]

+HamburgerExplosion I scrolled down after he said that, and I was pleased to see that someone did the very thing that I was thinking of doing.

[@Sonicdude10]

I have an APC UPS. It's an APC BACK-UPS XS 1000 BX1000. Thankfully the monitoring connection is USB and that works on my system. Being as the monitoring software was made for Windows XP it didn't want to work with Windows 7 (64 bit Ultimate). However a general purpose Microsoft driver was available so I can monitor the battery level in it and that's all I needed. Same driver works in Windows 10 (64 bit Pro via free upgrade) once I changed the power option interface back to the one on Windows 7 as the power interface found in 10 didn't want to show me the levels. Not sure if the batteries are original or not. Probably not. I just know it has 2 SLA 12 volt 7Ah batteries that look like the originals these units came with. It works for my needs and I plan on putting bigger batteries in it. Probably 2 marine grade deep cycle cells around 150 to 200 Ah to give dramatic increase in run time as we have lots of power failures out here. One neat feature of it that is useful out here is that the transformer can do both boost and buck. Boost low voltage down to as low as 90 volts (on a 120 volt line) and buck voltage up to 135 volts. Brings all that to a nice 115 volts when either circuit is active.

[@uxwbill]

+Sonicdude10 If you did by some chance want to use it, APC's Powerchute Personal Edition software is available for Windows 7, 8 and 10 users. You can download an updated version from their web site, although they "make" you register. (There is a way around this, as while they use a password protected URL for the download link, it's FTP and the needed username/password are *right there* in the link!) As you've found there is really no need to do so, unless you want to adjust settings within the UPS (alarm disable, low/high voltage transfer points, etc.), as these units are compliant with the Generic USB HID UPS specification. I always recommend that people purchase the larger Back-UPS models at a minimum for several reasons, including the boost and buck ("AVR") capability. While you probably can use larger batteries, I would suggest caution to avoid overloading the inverter. If you're really serious about this, a secondhand Smart-UPS "XL" model may be the better bet, as those were designed specifically to handle larger externally situated battery boxes. You can also get 12 volt, 9 amp hour rated SLA batteries in an identical form factor to the 7 amp hour units you have now.

[@Sonicdude10]

+uxwbill Thanks for that. Oddly enough I was able to completely skip the register/ login step and download the PowerChute personal edition 3.02 for Windows 10 directly without needing any credentials. Not sure if it's how my browser runs or the system glitched. I'll give the software a look. I already disabled my alarm the hard way by removing it. LOL. Perhaps with some configuration tweaks I can put it back and disable it when running on battery. EDIT: And self test shows my batteries failed to pass. They still work for about 20 minutes of runtime but seeing as how they are at least 5 years old I best replace them. Guess this is as good of time as any to upgrade. Time to start hunting some deep cycle extended runtime marine cells down. I think the inverter will be able to handle them as my load draw is quite low. Only using 130 watts right now and system maxes out at around 250 to 300 when PC is fully loaded. Maybe 350 if my stereo speakers with 50 watt subwoofer are going full blast. Well below the 600 watt peak load. If the larger batteries does blow the charging circuit out I'll just get a bigger system. Say 1000 watt or better. I really need the boost and buck system. Mostly need the buck for during summer. Power company boosts line voltage up to crazy levels for the farmers with high power electric water pumps. I once recorded line voltage to be 137 volts at the meter. Too much...

[@uxwbill]

+Sonicdude10 Heh, maybe APC has changed their ways and now lets anyone download the software without undue effort. Although I've still got a computer with PowerChute and the needed cables installed, a lot of the time I'll just use something like NUT or apcupsd to make configuration changes. I can *totally* relate to removing the beepers from these things. It's usually extremely obvious when the power fails. :-) I've done the same with any of mine that don't have a beeper muting option. Some that do, like the little "plugstrips" that I usually get by the truckload after the batteries quit, tend to forget that their beepers should remain quiet. If yours is an "LCD" model, it's possible to disable the beeper at all times by holding down the "speaker" button on the control panel until a slash appears over the speaker icon. If and when you do decide to modify your XS for use with external batteries, I'd like to hear how it goes over the long term, if you happen to think of it. Feel free to drop me a private message any time.

[@Sonicdude10]

+uxwbill Sadly this model doesn't have an LCD screen. All it has are some indicator LEDs and the main power button. As for the batteries, think I will take your advice and not go crazy. As my system runs open air (no housing on the components) I'm not limited in cell size. So with that I'm going to see about a pair of 12V 15Ah SLA scooter cells. Won't kill my budget and should give me double capacity without overloading the system circuits. I will be sure to let you know how they work. Some searching revealed that the cells in this thing are the originals from probably back as far as 2005. I'm surprised they are still working.

[@KOSMOS1701A]

Do your neighbors sometimes come outside when you yell "Smoke test"? Not to sound sarcastic or anything like that.......

[@uxwbill]

+KOSMOS1701A No. Most of my neighbors can mind their own business.

[@lesbeery2478]

Is there a saying about the comedian who laughs at himself? Deservedly so, with that long screwdriver. You made me lol!

[@RetroPCUser]

That UPS is like my ex-girlfriend: Cold.

[@Lokithefeline]

some crazy prices for somethings that are pretty simple little things haha.

[@dcformee123]

funny you like Cozi TV so do I I love me some hazel!

[@gman3030300]

no it's not I all ready have snow here about 3 inches

[@1siameselife797]

my school still uses windows xp and novel poor nova Scotia canada

[@MarkTheMorose]

Needs more orange cranberry relish.

[@MrDubje]

Nowadays you can find the pinouts for these types of ups on pinouts.ru Just so you know :)

[@HDXFH]

battery would no doubt be buggered lol!! This thing would be worth something esp[ecially something like this being NOS!!!!!

[@qwertykeyboard5901]

sunday it was sunday

[@NocopyForYou]

This thing is as old as me!!! weird!!!

[@CoolTim44]

I like your vids don't mind them people what thay say man

[@thesmashtvnetwork]

send me some snow in the mail lol

[@thesmashtvnetwork]

yup it now 72f in dubai

[@_waymin]

+thesmashtvnetwork 72 Fahrenheit? Here is AZ it's constantly above 100.

[@professorjack2099]

I am not the man for manuals :|

[@JohnSmith-xq1pz]

Would love to ha e a UPS for my desktop. I'm sure a basic level one wouldn't do. pc specs Intel pentuim D 3.5gh 4bg ddr2 ram 500 watt power supply x2 basic dvd/cd rom drives IDE type 4 sata hdd WD "blue" 1tb 7200 rpm 64mb cache x3 one 500gb 5??? rpm 16mb cache AC powered 4 port usb 2.0 hub Microsoft wireless mouse keyboard combo -usb plugged into pc- logitech gen 1 g15 gamer keyboard -plugged into pc usb- x2 asus mx279h 27" hd led monitors creative labs soundcard crative labs ac powered speakers with sub woofer with real boom

[@uxwbill]

+John Smith APC sells a 1000 (sometimes billed as a 1080) VA Back-UPS model that would work perfectly well for your needs. Generally speaking you don't plug stuff like speaker systems into a UPS. The same is true of printers -- especially laser printers. I *never* recommend anyone buy the little "plugstrip" UPS models from APC, Tripp Lite and Cyberpower. Those aren't big enough to back up a computer for any reasonable length of time, and it will only get worse as the battery ages.

[@JohnSmith-xq1pz]

+uxwbill thank you I thi k I've seen those ones for sale some place. have to look into that. would like to have one for desktop and when I'm fermware updating my ps3. I'm just waiting for a power loss at just that wrong moment for my computer.

[@CoteaGeorgeC]

Early as f!

[@dannyd2663]

Maybe you should spend more time on the item in question, rather than the information booklets. I mean you already know what it is; it's not that hard to say what it is and I know mostly everyone here knows what it is. Less time reading more getting hands dirty.

[@dannyd2663]

+uxwbill

[@uxwbill]

+Fizzy 'D I find it very interesting to look at the accessories and other things that were once offered for sale alongside the primary product. A lot of that information has a very bad habit of disappearing without a trace as time wears on.

[@dannyd2663]

***** Fairplay, but what i'm trying to say is your taking to long on reading it, cut the reading down abit. I'm a massive tec geek. I like to know as much as the next guy, but i got bored after 4 minutes of it.

[@uxwbill]

+Fizzy 'D I'm sorry if you don't like some aspect of my videos. I'm going to be honest: I have no plan to change the way in which I discuss something and the stuff it came with. I enjoy talking about that kind of thing.

[@dannyd2663]

***** Fairplay dude. I'm only saying what I'm saying as you ask for feedback.

[@noelj62]

Faking videos... mm I thought some faked org__ms not videos. Though, there must be some degree of confidence between a KZbinr and his audience. Shame on them. Just wanted to point out that the linear regulator is LM317T which might be controlled by the microcontroller.