Mike and others,
I have a question about laptop computers and GT-View.
I'm using a Compaq and it works great and only uses about 20 watts when running.
I'm very concerned about the expensive Hard Drive wearing out from always running.
Is there anyway to run GT-View in USB memory or some other way so that the HD can shut off?
I've tried different "power" settings, but the drive seems to run whenever the program is in use.
The display will go off but not the HD!
Any ideas, or is there another type computer I can use?
I love the program

Chuck Alldrin
Chico, CA

If you install a USB memory stick, and select the log files to write to the stick ( In GT-View options ), that should allow the hard-drive to spin down, either that or turn off the data-logging if your not using the data

On my PC that logs data, the drive will spin down when data isn't being actually recorded to the hard drive

Mike, thanks for the reply

I have a 1Gb usb memory and I do write to it and have FTP function on as well.
Data is going to the usb not the HD. I'm updating every 3 minutes.

Any other ideas?

Look at: www.Energy-Alternatives.com to see what I'm doing.

Chuck Alldrin
Chico, CA

Well, if you make a boot from a USB stick ( install windows on the Stick ) and disable paging ( a pain but it can be done ), you can just yank the HD completely. Just remember, you have to have enough ram with file paging disabled

I would also do the process of elimiation thing to see whats keeping the disk spinning ... try turning of all logging , what happens with no GT-View running. You can also disable paging on the Hard-drive, its very possible that your paging if you have limited ram running windows. If this is the case, go into msconfig and start turning off all the services not used.

A programed call TaskInfo is really helpful in understanding what resources windows is using and what processes are using them

Mike here,
I'm doing about the same, I run from the HDD, log to a thumb drive, and usually, the HDD spins down, when nothing else is running.

I have an older laptop, and it has a 70W power converter, and I figure about half of that is to light the monitor up.

I'm now FTP'ing to a go-daddy account, and had to enable "Broadcast SSID" in my router to get reliable wireless connections to the net.

Mike and Mike,

I'm using a 1gb USB memory and logging to it, and I'm FTP'ing to my web
site. The log data is going to the USB drive. The screen data is going to the web site.

After trying all the things that "solar guppy" Mike suggested, the HD still does not turnoff. It does turn off when using other programs after the programed time delay.

I'm using a Compaq 1200 about 5 yrs old and running XP home.

What computers are you guys using?

Chuck

Check the memory usage with TaskInfo when GT-View is active, I bet your using more ram than installed keeping the pagefile active.

http://www.iarsn.com/taskinfo.html

The Logging Box I have is an old 2001 HP 400mhz celeron desktop, all it does is log the inverters

Yo have gone into the Power Properties control panel, and set some spin-down time for the HDD ?
I have a "compaq armada" laptop.

Yes, I have set and reset the HDD turn off times... So far nothing works when I have GT-View running... the drives will shut down with other programs that are not sending data on a regular basis.

Chuck

Solar Guppy,
I want to thank you guys for all the help.

My NEW question.

I have two systems, the 4kw on my home /GT 3.8 and 2.8kw system on my shop/Suntie 2500 UPG.

I have ordered the opto I need to run Fish Bowl and I have the software.

Now I'm using a wireless network and I want to be able to monitor both systems and upload to my web site.

The GT system is online and working great.

What would you recommend to be able to run/monitor both system at the same time?

How do I hookup/config this system?

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

Chuck Alldrin

I've had trouble in the past, with keeping the wireless link functional, and found broadcasting the SEID helped quite a bit. Also, the ISP is a big factor in uploading all the little packets of data

I think the answer is to get a special RS232 - USB adapter, and let each instance of software run in it's own directory, and have each one look at a different serial/usb port to get the data in separate streams. (I think solar guppy has an adaptor he has confidence in, that works, and has the proper isolation built in)

I'm using a macintosh mini to monitor my inverter. Mac Mini's only use 18-37 watts (according to specs). I've measured mine at about ~22 watts. They are quiet, low power and fairly cheap (but powerful) boxes.

following are links (1) how to get your PC into low power s3 mode and (2) what the different power modes are.

Article 1 how to:
http://www.exoid.com/?p=29

Article 2
Difference between S1 and S3 standby mode
http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/post/85816.aspx

Not all machines will do this gracefully, so don't try doing
this till you have saved your data.
Your mileage may vary.
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