baffling problem

Here is aproblem that has me baffled and also my local friendly PC store. Had a problem last year with my PC and it was returned to base and a new motherboard installed under warranty. Shortly afterwards, i noticed the clock losing the plot and the date would be wrong. So I replaced the battery on the motherboard. that would be fine for a month or two, then it would go again. Another battery fitted. Anyway, by pure chance I discovered that if you power down xp and DID NOT switch off at the mains, all would be fine. But if it is switched off at the mains. It boots up as if I have installed a new motherboard with all the lovely screens and CPU settings for me
to look at. And the clock is date are back at 2001. ? My local PC man reckons a faulty motherboard and will happily replace it but XP might not be happy about it and I could have problems. As i don't have the original discs as it was a new machine and a pre-install of XP should I not worry and let hime replace the motherboard if that indeed is the problem, or do I just never switch off at the mains. Ron

 

Steve,

I know I am way behind the power curve here when it comes to modern, up to date computers....so I feel like I am asking a dumb question....but here goes....

A brief excerpt from ATX specification guides..

"An external coin-cell style battery provides power to the RTC and CMOS memory. The battery has an estimated lifetime of three years if the system is not plugged into the wall socket. "

According to these guys, the power supply should only supply a supplemental 5volts to prolong battery life.......what did I miss here?

Jake

 

Hi again,

So basically what your are saying is that even after powering down Windows XP I cannot ever unplug or switch off at the wall socket. And I thought the cmos battery retained all the vital info for booting up. I have an old machine that still has the original cmos battery and rairly gets powered up. So I must now leave it connected to the electrical supply even after shutting down. Even more confused? Ron

 

Every afternoon around 3ish, I shutdown and turn off the surge protector that my stuff is plugged into. I have never lost the time and date stuff on this or any other computer I have used.

The battery keeps the stuff in memory and the clock continues to work until power is restored.

There is a possibility, however.

Some jumper configurations on some MOBO's have a "normal operation" jumper and a "clear CMOS" jumper. Some have three pins sticking up and one jumper is used to connect middle pin to left or right. Your motherboard book should tell you all about it.

At any rate, your MOBO should not be eating batteries. Therein lies the question.....

 

Thanks bmoore will look at the motherboard book and see if myself and my computer shop can trace the problem. Think it sounds like a problem with the mboard. Thanks Ron

 

RonS,

I too disconnect from the mains frequently without worrying about clock or BIOS failure. That is seen with a dead battery. I don't think the battery can be inserted incorrectly, but check anyway. You may be accessing a supply of batteries that have exhausted their shelf life; have the battery tested by an independent person.

It's hard to believe the mobo is wired incorrectly and shorts the battery terminals; I'd check for the presence of a standoff (or foreign body) under the mobo that could short it. As Bill said, check if the BIOS clearing jumper is shorted incorrectly. As Bill said, the battery is chief suspect.

 

Thanks sparrow will print up the replies and take them to my computer store and see if we can sort it out thanks to all again Ron