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Thread ID: 51886 2004-12-02 09:15:00 cmos battery: what procedure? Owain Glyndwr (5741) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
299179 2004-12-02 09:15:00 One article says to just pop out the old battery, then slip in the new one.

But, another says to back up the cmos settings before doing anything.

Which is correct?

If the latter, how do I go about backing up the cmos settings?
Owain Glyndwr (5741)
299180 2004-12-02 09:32:00 You shouldn't need to do a thing. Just do it, and if you lose the CMOS settings - it's no biggy. Just load default values and you should be fine (any PC since P133 or so).

Let us know how it goes :)
george12 (7)
299181 2004-12-02 09:39:00 The reason it says to back up is, cmos is volitile memory ie needs power to retain settings (backup if the cmos setup is anything other than default for the machine)
BUT
the time it takes to change the battery is minimal and I have done it without worrying about backing up with no ill effect. Even if you do take so long as to allow settings to be lost, I believe the machine will revert to defaults on next boot.
The only way I know of backing up the cmos is with pen and paper and writing down the settings.
wait and see if there are any other replys before making your decision
beama (111)
299182 2004-12-02 09:46:00 Leave your computer plugged in but turned OFF and then replace the battery. The CMOS settings are normally retained this way but even if you lose them you just need to reset to default settings, as the others have said.

Don't forget to use an anti-static wrist strap and be careful when removing the battery as some of the clips can be a bit fiddly. If you break it you may be up for a new motherboard - Jack can tell you all about that (pressf1.pcworld.co.nz). :p :D
Susan B (19)
299183 2004-12-02 09:55:00 Sorry Susan

> Leave your computer plugged in but turned OFF

I would NEVER do that no matter what level of repair it is
beama (111)
299184 2004-12-02 10:36:00 someone might have already said it but it needs to be stressed ware the anti static thing - killed a mobo by not wearing one noone (22)
299185 2004-12-02 19:15:00 > Sorry Susan
>
> > Leave your computer plugged in but turned OFF
>
> I would NEVER do that no matter what level of
> repair it is
>

I recently added a 2nd HDD and the instuctions for doing the job say to "leave the power cable plugged in and the power off, which provides an effective earth path should static discharge be caused" they further exhort the use of an antistatic wrist strap.
theotherone (1421)
299186 2004-12-02 20:16:00 there are always arguments arising about weather to have to power cable in or not , i personally dont do it and nothing has happened yet ( i always ware my wrist strap ) but i guess it could add extra protection for your componants noone (22)
299187 2004-12-02 21:08:00 Hi Beama

The correct procedure is to have computer plugged in but turned off at the wall.

This ensures that the computer is properly earthed and minimises risk of static damage if your fingers stray. The battery and its connections are not static sensitive, but the risk is that a finger or knuckle will touch something that is!

Provided the computer is left plugged in there is no need to wear an anti-static strap when changing the battery, but make sure you touch the power supply case or similar bare metal just to make sure any static voltages on your person have been discharged.

Cheers

Billy 8-{)
Billy T (70)
299188 2004-12-02 21:10:00 > Sorry Susan
>
> > Leave your computer plugged in but turned OFF
>
> I would NEVER do that no matter what level of repair it is

Oh well, I guess it is a debatable subject . I used to change batteries without the PC being plugged in until one day I lost all the settings and had a devil of a job getting it back to normal again . After a bit of research I came across recommendations to leave the computer plugged in but switched off whilst doing the switch so have made that my practice ever since .

It was reinforced when trying to reset the BIOS on one PC - it wouldn't clear whilst plugged in but once unplugged it reset itself . I dunno, maybe it was just coincidence .

Out of interest, what harm do you think might be done leaving the PC plugged in?
Susan B (19)
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