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cmos checksum error. Default loaded.

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5 replies

by jackieg.hawkins 1 view

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Just installed new Mobo (EP-8RDA+) and new cpu (AMD 1800xp). After the system reconize my two HDDs and the floopy, I get the message "cmos checksum error. Default loaded". The system just stops at that point during the boot process. It does not reconize neither of my Scsi CD-ROM or CDRW drive or Card. Even though it has initialized my floopy drive it still does not respond to the boot disk in the A drive. At the bottom of the screen is the message to press delete to change cmos or click Alt+F2 to flash the bios. The system does respond to any of the commands entered via the keyboard. By the way, I changed one of the HDDs from a slave drive on the primary IDE ATA 100 channel to a master drive on the secondary IDE ATA 100 channel since the new Mobo came with two ATA 100/133 IDE channels. Do I need to get a RMA # and send Mobo back?

5 replies

by thechas

First, it is very common to get a CMOS checksum error on the first boot of a new system.

You will also get the error should you add or remove RAM.

The issue here is that you cannot enter CMOS setup.

Start by performing the CMOS reset procedure for the motherboard.
If there is no jumper or procedure, remove the CMOS back-up battery, and unplug the power supply for a 1/2 hour or so.

Are you using a PS/2 or USB keyboard?
If USB, you often have to use a PS/2 keyboard to enter BIOS setup for the first time, and enable USB keyboard support.

A side note, for many OS's, you need to have the target drive as the primary master when you install the OS.
Then, you can move it to the high speed controller, and install the driver.

Chas

by rboggio1

There is also another issue that might be happening. Is there a jumper on the motherboard for clearing the CMOS/BIOS? It sounds like it is in the clear position. Not the normalized position. I have also found paper or Mylar under the battery that issupposed to extend battery life while it is setting on the shelf. In other words the battery does not make contact and complete a circuit.

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