ID Number: Q64487
2.00 2.10
MS-DOS
Summary:
SYMPTOMS
After a power failure occurs on a UPS (uninterruptible power
supply) protected server, the following message appears at the
workstation:
A power failure has occurred at \\SERVER1. Please
terminate all activity with this server.
Attempting to save open files fails and an error message appears,
indicating that the path is no longer available.
CAUSE
The "A power failure has occurred..." message is sent to all
session connected workstations, MESSDELAY seconds after power is
lost. Then, unless the UPS has the capability to inform the server
of a low-power state (see note below), the UPS server will stop the
SERVER service BATTERYTIME seconds after the point of initial power
loss.
MESSDELAY defaults to 5 seconds and BATTERYTIME defaults to 60
seconds. Thus, by default, all files must be closed within 55
seconds of receiving the warning message. If the files are not
closed within BATTERYTIME to MESSDELAY seconds from the initial
power failure warning, it will not be possible to close the files
because the server service has stopped.
RESOLUTION
When the server service is properly stopped, as it is when it is
stopped by the UPS service, all open files are safely closed in the
state they were in when they were last saved.
Using a NET USE command at the workstation will show connections to
the stopped server in a "disconnected" state. After power returns
and the server service is restarted, workstation application files
can be closed safely.
More Information:
Example
-------
1. At a network workstation, a Microsoft Word document is opened from
a remote share-point linked to drive F.
2. Power is lost at the server. All open files are closed and the
server service is stopped before the user has a chance to save the
Word document.
3. The user tries to save the Word document and receives a "disk
error" message notification. Drive F is now in a "disconnected"
state.
4. Power is restored to the server and the server service is
restarted; shares are reestablished.
5. The user tries again to save the Word document (as described in
step 3 above). Drive F is automatically reconnected and the Word
document is saved successfully.
Note: If the UPS has the capability to inform the UPS service of a
"low battery" state, and the SIGNALS' second digit is accordingly set
to 1, the UPS service will ignore BATTERYTIME and will not initiate
server shutdown until it receives the low-power signal from the UPS.
Additional reference words: 2.00 2.0 2.10 2.1