[?] What is worse case symptom when CMOS battery finally dies in a PC?
Manual for my PC tells you how to get at it and remove it but doesn’t specify what battery # or type. [:(] I’ve got cameras with better manuals than this. [tdn]
Probably go out tomorrow and buy PC’s for Dummies.
Forgive the off topic but with some of the DCC response postings I figured there are some computer savvy forum members.[8D]
TIA,
Jon
One sure fire symptom is Clock will no longer keep accurate time.
Another symptom is when you turn the computer on it will complain about drive mismatch, or configuration/memory mismatch errors. Fixing them in the BIOS does no good because you loose the settings the next time back.
Removing the battery should be straight forward unless it’s soldiered. Just be sure to unplug the power and touch the case before you touch the motherboard Take note of which side the “+” on the battery is facing. Take the battery to radio shack and they will get you a replacement.
Simple fix.
Get it out, and take it to 1) your nearest friendly computer store (pref. not big-box like CompUSA, but the corner store where someone is willing to talk to you…) or 2) Radio Shack.
Worst case? Every time you turn on the computer, it complains that the CMOS battery is dead, and you have to re-enter all the configuration info like hard-drive, CD-Rom, time, etc. Not fatal, but a pain in the**** if you don’t know all the settings.
Brian Pickering
The battery type could be a CR-2032 or CR-2025. If you remove the battery it should tell you what type it is. You may well get it at your local drugstore or supermarket, these batteries are very common.
I’d suggest that when you’ve got the new battery and re-inserted, you select “optimal performance” or “default settings” from the BIOS menu - they cover probably 90% of your requirements.
Don, Brian,
Man you guys are quick!! [tup] [tup] [tup] You responded faster than it took me to write the question. Do you guys also leap tall buildings with a single bound? [:D]
Thanks, resource will probably be Radio Shack.
From the way the manual reads sounds like subject battery is a plug in(more or less). No mention of need to solder or unsolder{?)…desolder(?)…Uh,…need break a soldered connection.
Thanks for caution on static discharge re access to battery. Was aware of this, just didn’t know the procedure. Reminder on battery orientation also good oh, by the way for me.
Thanks for your expertise and sharing same. [bow] [bow] [bow] [bow] [bow]
Jon
Some CMOS batteries nowdays are soldered in and look like an axial lead electrolytic capacitor. They can be replaced with a kit that contains a battery holder, leads, and clips. You nip out the battery next to the body of it, leaving the leads and clip the leads of the battery holder to them.
A better way to fix that type is use the 4 pin plug wire end on the replacement battery. You remover the jumper on the “clear cmos” switch (pins) and plug the battery in there. Fred
Dennis,
Thank you too! [bow] [bow] [bow] [bow]
From postings I knew forum members were [8D] , just didn’t realize how [8D] [8D] [8D]
Jon