Comos Battery Question

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006.

  1. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    I know this must sound silly to all you "Major Geeks out there but its still all so greek to me. If the comos battery has died, would that make the computer not boot into windows? I tried to boot with a floppy but the order of boot won't stay changed. I am still trying to fix an old old computer for a neighbour and we've run the gammit of other things. The bios settings can be changed but when you exit and save they go right back to their original settings and the cd rom doesn't seem to be working. It does say
    Found: 40x cd-rom and that's it.

    Any kind of help would be appreciated.
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #1
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Change the battery ....then bios ssettings should stick.
     
    TimW, Jul 11, 2006
    #2
  3. matt.chugg

    matt.chugg MajorGeek

    I think its CMOS not comos.... and the Settings in the bios won't stay until you replace it. as far as I remember its a CR2032 Battery, and they are simple to replace. Until you replace it each time you boot your computer you will get a promt caying CMOS Checksum Error Press F1 to continue or similair.

    Matt
     
    matt.chugg, Jul 11, 2006
    #3
  4. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    Re: Cmos Battery Question

    Right! Cmos Battery. Trouble is I can't find the darn thing. I have the case off and there's a lot of stuff in there, but I don't see the disk type of battery and don't know where to look for the other kind or even what they would look like. Help!
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #4
  5. matt.chugg

    matt.chugg MajorGeek

    Its normally flat on the motherboard. You might be able to find a diagram of the layout of your board if you know what model it is.

    Matt
     
    matt.chugg, Jul 11, 2006
    #5
  6. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    I know this is going to sound really stupid, but, where would I get the name of the motherboard...sorry for being so inept.
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #6
  7. matt.chugg

    matt.chugg MajorGeek

    Is it a custom built computer ? Did you get a manual with it ? somethimes theres a Diagram Sticker on the inside of the case, otherwise just look on the Mobo, probably down the sides or in a big gap.

    Matt
     
    matt.chugg, Jul 11, 2006
    #7
  8. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    It's not mine it's my neighbours. I haven't a clue where he got it but is some old I'll tell you! I'll hunt around in there and see if anything hits me. I looked for the disk type of battery but didn't see it at all. Will let you know if I find anything. Thanks.
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #8
  9. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You may not have one ....just an empty holder ...about the size of a nickel ...usually above the ide cables ...to the right of the ram slots?
     
    TimW, Jul 11, 2006
    #9
  10. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    I've searched everywhere in there and there is no such battery or place to put it. I'm wondering what other kinds were used (remember its an old old computer).
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #10
  11. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    TimW, Jul 11, 2006
    #11
  12. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    I have everest on my own machine, but will it run in dos, cuz thats all I can get so far on the one in trouble.
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #12
  13. Bad_Frogger

    Bad_Frogger Corporal

    There should be some numbers or a combination of letters and numbers,
    on the board, to identify it.
    No, Everest won't run in DOS to my knowledge.
     
    Bad_Frogger, Jul 11, 2006
    #13
  14. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    Okay, I found AIDA and it will run in dos, so what numbers exactly do you need to know?
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #14
  15. Bad_Frogger

    Bad_Frogger Corporal

    anything that would identify the motherboard,
    what does AIDA say the motherboard is?
     
    Bad_Frogger, Jul 11, 2006
    #15
  16. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    Aida says:

    Motherboard ID - 03/03/97 - i430vx-02071997c-00
    Motherboard Name - AMPTRON PM-7900/8800
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #16
  17. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    If its the 8800: battery is to the right of the first pci slot, on the edge of the board, under the ram slots.
    If it's the 7900:its on the edge right under the cpu.
    http://www.mainboard.cz/amptron.htm
     
    TimW, Jul 11, 2006
    #17
  18. Bad_Frogger

    Bad_Frogger Corporal

    I think i found out the battery is hidden in a sneaky location on those old puppies.This excerpt from a forum thread should help... I hope.

    My battery was in a small black case (aprox 0.75" x 1.25") labeled "Houston Timer" right next to the power supply connector. It's a DIP style plug so you can pry it off the mother board easily. Then you have to pry the plastic case off the IC chip, and volia - there's the 3 volt lithium battery.
     
    Bad_Frogger, Jul 11, 2006
    #18
  19. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    I'll check out both of your replies as soon as possible. Have darn old company right this minute, but, don't think I won't be right back at it as soon as I can get rid of them! lol
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #19
  20. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    I've found a small black case about the right side, but, it says Houston Tech on the top and HT12888A and below that REAL TIME and 9639A1 168691V. Is this it?
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #20
  21. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Thats probably it!!
     
    TimW, Jul 11, 2006
    #21
  22. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    Okay....so now how do I get it out? What the heck is a dip style plug?
    Then what do I do?
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #22
  23. Bad_Frogger

    Bad_Frogger Corporal

    It is rather difficult to get solid info on the old unit.
    From what I gather, these units hold the cmos chip and battery
    (the battery was meant to last 10 years).
    Some units are soldered to the board, Some are able to unplug (dip style).

    Regardless of all the above, if you do get it out, it's looking like you won't
    be able to find a replacement battery or unit.
    All seem discontinued.

    One place suggested setup bios and do not turn off PC.
    If you do turn off PC setup bios again.
    I suppose you could nurse it along for some time like that.

    Personaly, play taps, light the funeral pyre, let it go.
    Get a newer motherboard.
    Sorry that's all I can come up with on this.

    Bad out.
     
    Bad_Frogger, Jul 11, 2006
    #23
  24. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    Okay Bad, if that's it for you I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your trouble. If however, anyone else has any bright ideas I am watching to hear from you.
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #24
  25. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Found this:
    Yes you can remove the cover of the RTC (Real Time Clock) if this is as you wrote a Houston chip - (Dallas Chips are moldet ) If the chip is socketed then pull out the chip to make it easier - turn it upside down and then use a small screwdriver and carefully lift the cover at the SHORT side (NOT PIN SIDES) then the cover will come off..

    To replace the battery you have to have some soldering experience because the battery is soldered directly to the pins - be carefull not to break the pins off..

    Be also sure that you replace the battery with the same kind (it's a medium size flat cell 3Volt battery and that the PLUS side goes underneath ..

    If the Chip is soldered to the MOBO then it will be a bit difficult but still possible ....

    About the soldering - first Scratch the place of the battery where you intend to solder it on to the pin and be sure that this is free of grease of any kind and don't touch it there anymore then use the Soldering Iron and carefully and FAST apply a litle solder to it (heating the BATTERY more thant 5 second will damage it! )

    Press the pin where the battery is to be connected to firm against the surface of the chip then place the battery with the spot you have applied solder to on top of the pin (make sure that it is placed in the middle of the Chip) - hold it and apply heat - here do not heat the Battery directly heat the pin instead -as soon the solder has has been moldet between the pin an the battery take off the Solder Iron..

    For the MINUS you need to connect a small wire to the pin first and then solder this wire in the MIDDLE of the MINUS (top side of the battery) on to.. close the cover - make sure that you place the cover as it was before because other wise the Pin1 mark will b at the wrong place ...

    Anyway when inserting the chip into the socket be sure that the two MISSING pins which are bend to top of the Chip and the battery is connected to are on the right side if you look at the SOCKET where the Battery is to be placed into from PIN1 SIDE or just make sure that PIN1 is aligned opposite aginst where you soldered the battery, and also that the Chips PIN1 is alingned with Pin1 on the MOBO ...
    Note the print for the Socket on the MOBO where Pin1 is isn't the same as the print where pin14 and 15 are .. this is very important because otherwise you will burn the chip as soon the comp is switched on - this then will force you to buy a new chip - price range about 10 US
     
    TimW, Jul 11, 2006
    #25
  26. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    Okay Tim W. I will do whatever it takes. I just can't give up. I'll let you know if it works for me. Thank you so much. I have to reread this in the am when I'm fully awake. Sounds like fun......lol
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #26
  27. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Would help if you could post a picture of the battery / motherboard.:) :)
    There may be a chance that the board has a pin setup to add an "external battery".
     
    TimW, Jul 11, 2006
    #27
  28. blkittygirl

    blkittygirl Private First Class

    I'll have to borrow a digital camera (can you believe that a person in this day and age doesn't own one) from someone and then we'll see okay.
    B
     
    blkittygirl, Jul 11, 2006
    #28

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