Resolved cmos checksum error

Windows XP Home, Sp. 3

The computer stopped during the bootup process. In the screenful of information was the statement "cmos checksum error ". I assume this is the reason the booup stopped. One of the options was to press F2 and startup with default values. I pressed F2 and the system started up and ran ok.

Is this a cmos battery problem or something else?

Thank you

 

Usually (lots/most) of the time if it is a CMOS battery problem, the date and time will be wrong. Is yours right?

 

The date and time are ok.

 

The first thing I should mention is that this is my wife’s computer, and I would rather let a tech rather than me be to blame for her not having it if it comes to finding and installing a new battery.

The second thing is that her computer has had a rather peculiar thing happen to the mouse lately. Apparently, after an hour or so of being ok, the mouse will stop functioning. The solution is to reboot the computer, and the mouse will work for a while before repeating the problem. I have substituted mice from other computers and they behave the same way. When I put her mouse into my computer it doesn’t seem to fail. This all happened before the CMOS checksum failure showed up, but only 2 days afterward. I was reluctant to talk about 2 problems which might not be related in the same thread, but does it sound like they might be related?

 

Could be some hardware problem or simply the dead battery.

CMOS checksum error is almost every time related to a dead battery. Replace it first before doing anything.

 

Yep. About 3 bucks at Wally World or Radio Shack.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/14915196?...89322990&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=34445596510&veh=sem

 

But the time and date are ok. Wouldn't this mean the battery is ok?

 

If the comp is 4+ years old, I would renew the battery. As MrBill said, it's of small value compared to the problems that can occur. Neil.

 

Computer purchased in 2010. Will check time and date in bios next time it happens. Today it booted up ok.

 

In my post, I said usually (lots/most) not all the time.

 

Did you try resetting the CMOS to the factory defaults, saving the change and then exiting?

 

I didn't reset the CMOS. As it turns out, the computer has been booting up normally for the last several days. Maybe it's a marginal battery. It it ain't broke, don't fix it. And don't keep fixing it 'til it's broke.

We'll see what happens. Thanks again for all your help and suggestions.

 

Had the PC been off for a couple of few days and now it is on daily?

 

on and off daily

 

that may be just enough to keep a little charge on it and not cause problems. A few days off may be a lot different.

 

Do set CMOS settings to system defaults. Restart your machine, press F2 key repeatedly. Select Exit menu with the help of keyboard arrow keys, choose Set defaults and exit (or any other similar option).