CGTalk - Blackout headache

eliseu gouveia

07-01-2003, 05:05 PM

So, power failed again last night.
My entire city block returned to the dark ages for the following 10 minutes.
And in the midst of this slight grievance, all I could think was:

"- WHY didn´t I save the damn file?"

Yes, second time in two weeks I find myself having to do the same work twice because I´m too reckless to remember saving every 5 minutes.
Which brings me to:

Some time ago, I heard about these neat pieces of hardware that not only level your PC´s power for a couple of seconds (minutes?) in the event of a power failure, but also automatically save all files currently open and shuts down the computer.

Does anyone know the name of these things so I can forward a name for the gizmo when I hit computer hardware stores in the next few days?

Diazepam

07-01-2003, 05:20 PM

Heya,

Don't know about auto saving your files, but wouldn't a UPS do it? Would give you about AT LEAST 15mins of batt time. More than enough time for you to save and shut down - manually, of course. Nowadays, its built in with AVRs so you've pretty much got the voltage regulating covered.

Hope this helps.

cheers.

gmask

07-01-2003, 05:25 PM

>>>Some time ago, I heard about these neat pieces of hardware that not only level your PC´s power for a couple of seconds (minutes?) in the event of a power failure, but also automatically save all files currently open and shuts down the computer.

You need a UPS.. uninterruptible Power Supply they are basically a large battery. APC is probably the best known brandname. I would say that the average desktop system would need 600 VA

To figure it out look at the components on your computer, CPU's, harddrives, monitor etc. The usually have a VA rating on their label or if it's in amps then multiply that number by 120 or if it's in watts multiply it by 1.4 to get the VA equivalent.

So if your computer needs 600 VA get at least a 650 VA UPS that will stay on at least long enough to save your work and shutdown..

MattClary

07-01-2003, 07:20 PM

My theory is, not having a UPS is like going to Bangkok without a condom. Nothing good can come of it.

eliseu gouveia

07-01-2003, 08:20 PM

UPS , APC, 600VA minimum . Check!

Thanks, folks, I´m gonna purchase one first chance I got. :)

GregHess

07-01-2003, 08:44 PM

Best buy is/was having a sale on the 1000VA APC UPS. My roomate picked one up. It was around 120 USD after rebate. (Which is INSANELY cheap for a APC product).

gmask

07-01-2003, 09:13 PM

Originally posted by GregHess
Best buy is/was having a sale on the 1000VA APC UPS. My roomate picked one up. It was around 120 USD after rebate. (Which is INSANELY cheap for a APC product).

That is insanely cheap I think those used to cost $650.. BTW I just checked ebay and they had alot of those for about the same price.

Valkyrien

07-01-2003, 09:26 PM

Originally posted by MattClary
My theory is, not having a UPS is like going to Bangkok without a condom. Nothing good can come of it.

good ol' cut 'n' paste, eh?;)

i have LW (and all other programs that are capable) set to autosave every x minutes, where x=long enough to get the latest changes without making it impossible to go back a little if I screw up big time;)

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