posted on June 4, 2001 05:14:16 PM new
Stupid question, perhaps, but one I do not know the answer to.
The clock on my monitor is slowing wa-a-a-a-y down. It has lost 1 1/2 hours this week and if I reset it it just goes back to the wrong time. How do I replace the battery and what will happen to my computer if I don't get it replaced in time? Will it die? Will I lose stuff?
Oh yeah, where is the battery located.
my computer is 2 1/2 years old, I thought the batteries were supposed to last about five years?
[ edited by rawBUNZel on Jun 4, 2001 05:15 PM ]
The battery is on the motherboard, a silver disc about an inch in diameter. The shack has new ones and you plug it out plug it in, maybe with a little screwdriver. Turn it off first.
posted on June 4, 2001 06:13:04 PM new
That looks like a neat download. I do like to be synchronized!Unfortunatly it appears to be only for windows 95 and NT. I run Windows 98.
Thanks for the info! I will open 'er up and look at the mother board! I will find the battery!
While I'm in there I should vacume it out too I'll bet. Can I use a regular vacume with a long hose and something on the end so as to not pick up important stuff or do I need something special? Questions? I've got 'em!
posted on June 4, 2001 06:36:46 PM new
What the problem's solution may be as simple as replace the large, flat watch battery on your computer's motherboard. That's the main board that everything eventually connects to.
You will need a jeweler's crosspoint screwdriver to remove the watch battery. Of course, may sure that power is unplugged anytime that you go into your computer.
Take the watch battery down to Radio Shack. Have them test it to see if it is still good, dying, or dead. If it is dying or dead, just have them give you the right battery for it. Know this: that watch batteries come in different strengths, just like flahlight batteries do. Ask for the Photo/Camera/Flash version of your battery as it will last the longest. If the person doesn't know what you're talking about, go to another radio Shack to get it.
If the battery is good, then you need to take your computer into a repair shop and have the CMOS chip changed. This usually costs about $80 to $100 total. You can buy the CMOS chip yourself and install it yourself, as it slips into a small socket on the board. If you don't know how to do this, take it into a shop and let a technician dothe job for you.
What is going on is that the CMOS chip has a battery inside that is going south on you. In order to make this battery last as long as possible, they put another battery on the board to keep the internal CMOS battery going longer. There's a 50-50 chance CMOS battery is dying.
If your CMOS battery is dying and you remove a good back-up watch battery off of the board (the watch battery), the settings in your CMOS may well reset themselves and your computer may not operate properly.
Here's how to figure out what to do:
1) Try changing that watch battery first. It's easy to do because it is meant to be easy to do. And if it fixes things, you're only out $5 and a few minutes of your time.
2) In any other circumstance mentioned above, you'll need to take it into a repair shop.
3) It is only a matter of time before both batteries die and both will need to be changed instead of just one.
4) If the watch batter is dying/dead and replacing it fixes the problem, but your CMOS settings have been reset, look for the book that comes with your computer's motherboard. it has the complete instructions in it to set everything. If you do not have the owner's manual for the motherboard, go to the manufacturer's web site and download a copy of the manual (I've done this many, many a time).
posted on June 4, 2001 08:10:56 PM new
Well, borillar! That's more like it! When I put my "?" it was because there was only "what" there! LOL
I hope it isn't my CMOS battery. That would be bad. I will try tomorrow to fix this thing. My time is off by nearly two hours now and that is something I cannot tolerate!
KRS, Maybe they mean that anything over Windows 95 will work. I do wish these sites would say what they mean.
Will I lose stuff?