Screeching UPS

Ever since I bought the new PC with WinXP my Uninterupted Power Supply (old) screeches when I use Start|Search. Weird. No screeching for other uses of the PC. No lights on the UPS indicating low battery, etc.
Any thoughts?
P.S. Did not know whether to post here or Hardware. Maybe both??

 

Monitor aslo? If the monitor is plugged into the ups try plugging the monitor into a power strip / surge protector.

 

LDTate--Yes, the monitor is also plugged into the UPS, but the UPS is also a surge protector and the same monitor (and my old PC) had been plugged into this UPS for years.
May I ask why you make the suggestion? Is my new PC and the monitor too much for the UPS to handle? But why only when I do a Run|Search?

 

I've seen where monitors can pull small UPS to their knees.

Just something to try. I'd either take the monitor or new pc off he UPS and see what happens.

 

i like Ldtates idea.. suppose you are right on the threshhold of pushing your UPS to its max, and when the IO from hitting the start button causes a disk write, your computer draws just enough power to drive it over the edge. Easy test.. reduce the load.

 

You both are probably correct. I am sure the new PC is using more power than the old.
However, putting the monitor on a separate surge protector defeats the whole purpose of having a UPS. And the printer, scanner and (very low power) speakers are generally off, so it is only the PC, cable modem and monitor which are drawing power. Maybe I will try putting the cable modem on the separate surge protector first.
What harm am I likely doing to the UPS/surge protector when the screeching occurs?

 

I don't think you are hurting the UPS at all, but when it is screeching, it is warning you that power is not steady, and that, over time, can hurt your new computer. (Brownouts are harder on a comp than unplanned power interruptions!) All I have plugged into the hot side of my UPS is the tower, monitor and cable modem. Maybe you could try a newer (or bigger) UPS (Is it possible that the battery is worn out in the old one?) and downgrade the old UPS to the printer, scanner, etc as a glorified surge protector?

In the Power Options in the Control Panel, on the UPS tab, does XP recognize your UPS? Mine came with a cd, and XP didn't have the drivers on board to operate it.

If you do decide to replace your UPS, look for one that you can plug the cable into directly, between the wall and the modem. My ISP ASSURED me that no surges could happen through the cable, until I brought them a fried modem and motherboard. Now I use a box between the cable and phone lines and the computer, also by APC. I call it "cheap insurance ".

Johanna

 

My suggestion was to try this for a few hours to see if it works. At least you'd know the setup is causing the issue with the ups.

 

Johanna--Many thanks for your comments. I had not realized that the Control Panel setting involved UPS units. So I have learned.
In fact, Power Options does not recognize my UPS (only APS' UPS's are mentioned, which mine is not). On the other hand, I never did run the CD that came with my UPS. (And still will not, since the CD says it is not suitable for WinXP. But I assumed this only affects enabling an automatic shutdown in the event of a power failure.)
I use the UPS more as a surge protector, which it also is. I figured I could shut down manually if there ever was a power failure without using the CD.
LDTate--I have not run the PC much today, but this morning did switch the printer, scanner and cable modem over to another surge protector. So far no screeching. Only the monitor, PC and speakers (not on) are connected to the UPS now. (And the speakers are not on the UPS outlets.) Let's hope this is the solution!! Otherwise I will start shopping for a new UPS/surge protector. (And this time with a cable input, too, Johanna!)

 

a printer?! holy moley. i hope it wasnt a laser at least.