I need a UPS, I loose power quiet often.
CompUSA has a Conetx 900VA on sale for $89.00
does anyone know anything about this one.
Thanks

I've seen that advertisement, looks like a pretty good deal. I am unfamilliar with the brand, but at that price, who cares if you only get a few years out of it.

Shelly

Match the specifications to the others recommended above. Do some comparison shopping here.

I use an APC 500 UPS PRO and haven't had a problem. Don't think they are available anymore. Don't know for sure though. I think a 650 is the "normal" size for "home use" recommendation now.

If the specifications exceed other brands, then as Shelly says, it's a good deal. Support may be a factor to consider. Also, check on users comments from the website.

Can't argue with the price though.

Slo Hands

APC still has a 500VA size, and some smaller sizes as well. It seems that all brands of UPS come in various sizes starting at about 350VA and on up (you can put a UPS on other things besides computers).

One thing to consider is what type of interface port the UPS has on it: Serial or USB. You need that if you want to use the automatic shutdown feature some of them provide. You might be like me and not have a free serial port. Or, you might have a system that doesn't have USB.

JP

Thanks to all. I don't have a empty port & no
USB port. so I guess I would not be able to use
the automatic shutdown, I have a AB switch so that
I can use my external zip drive but that would not
work with a UPS, If I am going to have to shutdown
to switch I may as well leave it shutdown until I get back.
Alex
I read everything that you sent & thanks
Bob

That switch you have sounds like it is for the parallel port. The UPS can be purchased to use the SERIAL port. If you don't have a game attachment or a serial external modem you probably have one free.

Bob,

I agree, most people get the parallel port and the serial port confused. I used to have the same problem.

This will be slow to load on dial-up, but it shows the ports on the back side of many computers: http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dkub/techovu.htm#back_panel_features

Yes, it's a Dell site, but you will see that a serial port is smaller than a parallel port used for a printer, for example.

marti

Not always, serial ports come in both 9 pin and 25 pin flavors. Parallel ports are always 25 pin.

Shelly

what type of computer and what size monitor are you planning to run on it? 900va is a lot, that should give you plenty of battery time. most average home systems do fine with a 500-600va rating ups, giving them 5-10 minutes of battery time.

i'm not familiar with the brand, though. brands i would recommend are apc, tripplite and belkin.

check out this article on ups: http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/ups1.html

look for good prices on this page: http://pcnineoneone.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php?page_id=20

Happy computing!

Alex "crazygerman" Byron
Webmaster, Editor-in-Chief
PC911