PC losing CMOS settings

MothballsWallet

I powered on my desktop PC for the first time in a little while, and a few weird things happened:

1) It powered on as soon as I turned the master power switch on at the back (there's a front power on button that you're meant to use every day, but I usually switch it off completely when I'm not using it).
2) The power-on test screen reported a CMOS checksum/CRC error, so I selected the option to load the default settings.
3) It keeps restarting before or upon reaching the Windows XP startup screen.
4) It keeps losing the CMOS settings when I power down and then start it up again.

I've read another thread on something like this, and it suggested it could be the power supply or motherboard being faulty or something to do with the CMOS battery (I think I'll have to get a new one anyway).

I bought the system from a local shop, and they had given me a 2 year warranty which, of course, expired in 2006 (whoops!).

rambo43

Try a new battery

superscaper

Definitely sounds like the battery to me. Last one cost me 20p.

Belnahua

Should be a CR2032 battery, and Boots sell 'em. I think they're the same ones as used in those 6-pack abs toner belts - not that those who use computers believe in abs toning!

superscaper

Belnahua wrote: »

Should be a CR2032 battery, and Boots sell 'em. I think they're the same ones as used in those 6-pack abs toner belts - not that those who use computers believe in abs toning!

5 for a pound in the last Pound Shop I went in. I think Boots may charge more.

tom9980

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000239.htm

Some more detail to refer to.

MothballsWallet

Of course, with my luck, I found that if I left the settings at their defaults and just continued past the error message, XP would boot up OK - like Old Faithful, this box just keeps on going .

Luckily, I've got the DigiGuide EPG tool on the machine, so it can automatically set the time and date for me when it starts up for now.

I think I'll hit Poundland and get a few batteries. I've had the machine since 2005, so coming up for 3 years now - is that an average lifespan for these little CR2032 things?

superscaper

MothballsWallet wrote: »

Of course, with my luck, I found that if I left the settings at their defaults and just continued past the error message, XP would boot up OK - like Old Faithful, this box just keeps on going .

Luckily, I've got the DigiGuide EPG tool on the machine, so it can automatically set the time and date for me when it starts up for now.

I think I'll hit Poundland and get a few batteries. I've had the machine since 2005, so coming up for 3 years now - is that an average lifespan for this little CR2032 things?

I guess it's variable. I think 3 years is not an unreasonable time for them to need replacing. I think it seems about average, but then some last for years longer.

Belnahua

Usually, as we find the lifespan is Warranty period + 1 day!