Need help on CMOS battery

I don't want to go to the trouble of opening up my Desktop PC. I have this
HP a300n pc that cannot keep the the time current.

When I turned off the computer and turned it back on it boots up with
"Jan 2001" and a different time. I was told that the cmos battery may be too weak and should be replaced. So, I called the HP tech help and to my surprise the tech guy whom I talked to didn't know that the pc had a clock on the motherboard!!!! Amazing.

I need to know if anyone out there happens to know which battery model
the a300n would accept. I checked the HP site and other internet
sites without any luck.

Thanks

 

Cr2032

 

All I am asking is if anyone by some chance came across this situation because I find
it cumbersome to open the case just to check on the serial # of the battery, close it and reopen it again to install the product. I don't see a problem in searching for a quick answer.

 

Rockster's suggestion will be the one, but I doubt he has the same model as you If you get one of those and happen to find it is the wrong one, don't blame Rockster

There are thousands of different models of motherboard. A 2023 battery is pretty well standard nowadays, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was an odd one.

It's not hard to write something that does not sound right.

I'm betting Rockster's suggestion will be the one (but you never know )

Matt

 

I'm with Pete on this all the way but that battery # (not serial #) is like an old phone # embedded in my memory. Thus, I figured posting it would end the dialogue with four keystrokes and two mouse clicks.

Its 2032, not 2023 and no, I don't have anything that even remotely resembles the poster's computer and no, I wasn't going to waste my time looking it up.

So, that takes us full circle - the only way to confirm or dispute this is to RTFM or open up the case.

 

Exactly! Like page 119, according to HP.

Why not? Understand it is a USER RESPONSIBILITY to open the case regularly, inspect for dust and dirt build up, and clean as necessary.

 

replacing the battery
A lithium battery on the motherboard provides backup power for the PC’s
timekeeping capability. The battery has an estimated life expectancy of seven
years.
When the battery starts to weaken, the date and time may be incorrect. If the
battery fails, replace it with a CR2032 lithium battery (3 volt, 220mAH rating) or
an equivalent battery.


WARNING: There is danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly
replaced. Replace only with the same, or equivalent, type of
battery. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.

To replace the battery:
1 Remove the side panel that has the thumbscrews. See page 99.
2 Gently lay the PC on its side.
3 Remove any cabling, if necessary, to reach the battery.
4 Remove any memory modules, if necessary, to reach the battery.
5 With a flat screwdriver, press the metal latch that holds the battery in its
socket away from the battery. The battery will pop out.

6 Install the new CR2032 battery in the socket, with the positive (+) side
facing up.

 

Not with these batteries. For one, there is just not enough current, For another, it requires an excessive amount of heat, or a very high (abnormal) charging voltage - neither of which are on the motherboard. The explosion issues were with much more powerful lithium batteries, such as those used in laptops, or in flashlights were they were exposed to abusive environments.

That's not to say mishandling cannot cause problems, it can. And so care must be taken to ensure the correct battery is used, and that it is installed properly. Do not touch the new battery with bare fingers as skin oils promote corrosion, and attract dust. And ALWAYS ensure the computer is unplugged from the wall before digging around inside, and that proper ESD precautions are observed.

Most battery/watch/counters recycle - so take your old battery with you.

It must also be noted that the lifespan of these batteries is based on the manufacturing date - not date of install. And while they are supposed to last for 7 - 10 years, failure after 3 is not uncommon.