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  • #2210215

    how to fix this?

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    by prettymars ·

    i have a computer that is Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition it has been a while now that it does not start normally. i have to press F2 so i can proceed. this is what it appears on screen.
    press f8 for BBS POPUP
    Pc2-5300 single channel mode
    initializing usb controllers.. done.
    896mb +128mb
    usb device: 1mouse
    auto – detecting pri master.. atapi cd-rom
    auto – detecting 3rd master.. ide hard disk
    pri master: asus drw 2014L1 1.01
    ultra dma mode-4
    3rd master st380815as 3.chf
    ultra dma mode-5, s.m.a.r.t. capable and status ok
    auto-detecting usb mass storage devices..
    00 usb mass storage devices found and configured
    cmos checksum bad
    cmos date/time not set
    press f1 to run setup
    press f2 to load default values and continue
    i tried f1 to run setup i change the date and time there a few times. when i reboot it start normally. but problem is the next day i start the computer again it is back to what it is.
    how can i fix it? and also when i insert a cd/dvd it cannot open the content. please help..

All Answers

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    Replies
    • #2900706

      Clarifications

      by prettymars ·

      In reply to how to fix this?

      Clarifications

    • #2900705

      Big clue: CMOS checksum BAD

      by mjd420nova ·

      In reply to how to fix this?

      This really jumps out at me. Before you go any farther, replace the CMOS battery. The F2 key sets the default and will allow you to boot but if you check the date/time you’ll find the date the BIOS was written. That battery is VERY important.

    • #2900695

      Put simply

      by oh smeg ·

      In reply to how to fix this?

      The BIOS Battery has gone flat and the CMOS Settings have been wiped.

      You need to replace the Battery in a desktop this is a Coin Battery CR2032 that provides power to the Real Time Clock and the Volatile CMOS Settings.

      Once this Data is wiped you should get a series of errors starting with the F2 bit and flowing through to things like the Software was written before the current time. As the RTC defaults to the beginning on some M’Boards this can be a very long time ago before Windows XP was written.

      Computer Logic tells the system that it’s not possible to have Files written before todays date. 😉

      Col

      • #2900613

        Reponse To Answer

        by prettymars ·

        In reply to Put simply

        can i ask, why the bios battery gone flat and cmos settings have been wiped..what is the cause of that? i do like computers a lot but when it comes to errors i have no clue at all.:)

      • #2900029

        Reponse To Answer

        by brian_meahan – techtoolbox.com ·

        In reply to Put simply

        Batteries die. In the case of a pc, that battery provides the little bit of power that allows the cmos to retain it’s settings. When the battery dies then there is nothing supplying power for the cmos settings. FYI, when a customer goes in and borks their cmos settings that is one of the quick fixes. Pull the battery out and let if fall back to default settings.

    • #2900598

      The battery in question…

      by smartacew0lf ·

      In reply to how to fix this?

      costs about $2.00. A trip to the store, replace said battery and if problem is not resolved then return and ask for further instructions toward a resolution. Remember where the answer came from and thank them. Please try to bear in mind that what you receive here in the way of technical help, costs many of the clients serviced by the same techs answering your questions as much as several hundred dollars per hour. What is the difference between you and those paying clients? Usually, or so we like to think, that would be a little bit of luck and a sense of direction in where to begin looking for technical answers. Hint… Google is the technicians BEST friend. If you desire to keep your tech speaking to you amicably, try to narrow your questions down to specifics as much as possible.

      As an example above in OH Smeg’s reply, no doubt his answer seems cryptic to you. In fact though, it is about as specific and to the point as any reply could possibly hope to be. Try googling the terms CMOS, BIOS, RTC for a better understanding of what he is speaking of. Good luck on your journey of understanding.

    • #2900541

      The Battery powers the Real Time Clock

      by oh smeg ·

      In reply to how to fix this?

      This is a Coin Battery costs a few cents maybe $2.00 for a one off buy, and it goes flat when the computer is unpowered for a long time. Typically it will last for several years before it needs replacing.

      The reason that computers have RTC’s is to allow them to know the Time and Date when they are turned on among other things. The BIOS also stores things like the CPU’s Speed, the Amount of Installed RAM and the HDD/s Sizes as well as any Custom Settings that have been changed from the Defaults.

    • #2900178

      Think of the CMOS battery that is similar to a battery of a car…

      by peconet tietokoneet ·

      In reply to how to fix this?

      When the battery of a car is dead it will not start, but you could push the car to try and start it. So, to the CMOS battery, push start it, press “F1” and start to enter the date and time and reboot, but when you shut down (turn off) your computer it goes back to the old date and time, Do you really want to keep on inputting the time and date ALL the time your computer boots up (same as pushing to restart the car)? A new CMOS battery is the best choice here. You need to look at tthe battery and find the number to replace with the similar Ex: “2032”.

    • #2900072

      Battery dead. It doesn’t work any more.

      by oldbaritone ·

      In reply to how to fix this?

      It’s not a “why” question. The battery performs important functions. When the battery is dead, those functions are not performed. The functions include maintaining the CMOS setup and the real-time clock.

      The battery is dead. Until you replace it, you will continue to have the problems. That’s why it has a battery. It needs a battery that has energy. A dead one will not work.

    • #2899983

      Be Glad you have a PC

      by plandok ·

      In reply to how to fix this?

      If you owned an iMac or MacBook, you would have to take it in to the shop. They use batteries which are “special” and are not sold to non-techs. Or the batteries are soldered in. How they make money. Lots of it. With PCs, the batteries reside in a holder which is on the motherboard. Extract the battery (looks like a large 5 cent piece) and take it to an electronics store or a dollar store and get one which is the same size and thickness. Unfortunately, there are zillions as it seems each device manufacturer designs batteries which differ by mere millimetres. But being standard battery cells, the voltage is the same. For longevity, I recommend the silver-oxide type which although more expensive, last way longer. Of course, I am old school and maybe there are new types out. That’s why taking the cell to the store is important.

    • #2901686

      CMOS battery

      by noorman ·

      In reply to how to fix this?

      the button battery mentioned before is a std non-rechargeable battery which will run for several years. It will run down more quickly if the PC is down for long periods, because it only powers the CMOS memory chip and system clock chip when the PC is without power from the mains. When it goes flat, your CMOS memory can’t keep your BIOS settings stored anymore (yours or the default settings). That ‘s why the PC won’t start up as normal. As has been said, change the large (3.0V) button cell for a new one and set your BIOS for default settings to start off. It ‘ll be fixed!
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CR2032_battery

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