Resolved BIOS loads default settings and then shuts down computer

For a few days now I am getting a message on startup "BIOS-Date/Time not set. Default BIOS settings have been loaded due to BIOS update or checksum. Press F10 to enter setup. Otherwise allow the PC to continue." It continues and shuts the computer down. I restart it and it loads normally. Even if I go into setup using the F10 button, I have no idea what I am looking for to change. The computer has installed some updates recently, so could that be the cause? I am using an HP desktop with Windows 10 OS. Does anyone know how to fix this? It is annoying to have to restart it all the time to get it to load properly. I believe the computer is from 2009 and is an a6750t by HP. I did have to replace the hard drive a few years ago when it crashed, but it has worked perfectly until now.

 

Hi mary651, the message and the age of the PC may point to a CMOS battery going south.
Is the Date and Time shown in the lower Right corner of the screen correct?

 

The date and time were wrong once, but since then it has been right. Even when I did use the F10 action to view the bios setup.

 

Thank you for your response. If this means that my computer is done for, I have many pictures, documents, and programs that I have no disc for that I would want to transfer to a new computer. Is there a way to only save all of the programs, documents, pictures and not the OS from the old computer? When the computer crashed back in 2013, I purchased a 1TB hard drive for it. Can that be salvaged and reused for another computer, if needed, erasing everything from it before removing it? I gratefully rely on your advice. I did a search on the internet for help correcting this, but found a lot of the warnings of CMOS battery going bad. Is this battery a part of the motherboard?

 

Yes the batter is on the MOBO. Can be changed usually pretty easy. All of them that I have changed are CR2032. They do have others though. They can be picked up at Wally World and other places as well. Usually about $5.00 or less I have seen some that were about 15 years old and still working and have changed some that were just a year or so old and were bad.

 

Thank you, Mr. Bill!! I just happened to have the correct battery on hand as it is used for other things, such as garage door openers. I made sure that it was the same CR2032 as the computer had in it. I have already changed it and the computer is working just fine. So happy that I did not have to get a new one and deal with installing all of the things I have on it.

 

Hi Mary, MrBill has described what can be done to remedy your probable fault.
I have renewed many CMOS batteries over the years but I think you need to assess whether you want to continue with an 11 year old computer.
My advice would be to look around for a laptop as they are portable and easy to move around.
This unit I am using at the moment is just 12 months old - HP Intel core i5 CPU 8th generation, 16GB's RAM with 120GB SSD (OS) and 1TB HDD storage.
It's running the version 2004 W10 Home and does all that I want to do. Cost $950.00 NZD.

If you can't renew your CMOS battery yourself - it will mean a trip to the PC shop and minimum labour cost is usually about $75 per hour.
Do you have a friend with the skill to change the battery as this is the cheaper way to go because the battery is not expensive.

Yes, the Data you have stored on your current 1TB HDD can be saved and transferred to a new comp.
The HDD you purchased in 2013 could be used in a Desktop computer. but most new comps are using SSD's which are more compact and usually about 5 times faster than your HDD in operation.
Your old HDD could be mounted in an external drive unit and be connected by USB cable to a new PC.
Let's know if you require any further help in deciding what to do.

 

Retiredlearner,
I truly thank you for your valued knowledge. I really am happy to be a member of the Windowsbbs forum where I can ask questions about the problems with my computers. The members have helped me numerous times over the years. I had no idea that the motherboard would have a small battery connected to the BIOS which I had no problem replacing. I had searched the internet and no where could I find anything on the type of problem I was having. So grateful to the forum. The reason I still use a desktop is because I have been the Financial Secretary for our church for many years and want to keep all of the personal data of the church at home as well as the pictures I have taken. I have the desktop, a Samsung laptop which is only a year old and has the SSD, an IPad, Kindle, and I keep my husband's desktop running as well. When the desktop crashed, I replaced the hard drive myself, got Windows 7 back up and running, and transferred all of my documents onto the repaired computer. Downloaded and installed Windows 10 when it became available on all of the computers. Thank you again for your advice.

 

https://support.hp.com/nz-en/document/bph04375
This HP link may be help when changing the battery.