All personal computers have a small battery on the motherboard that provides power to the Complementary Steel Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) chip, therefore the title CMOS battery. This CMOS battery powers the chip, holding info about the system's configuration, such because the exhausting disk, date and time, etc. It offers energy even when the pc is off and permits the CMOS to save lots of all of the settings. You possibly can anticipate the CMOS battery to last for up to 5 years. The more your laptop is used, the longer the battery will final. How Are you aware That Your CMOS Battery Is Dying? The keyboard acts up with keys and the cursor not responding. Invalid configuration will appear in your display. Run Setup seems on your display. Press F1 to continue appears on your screen. Invalid drive specification seems on the screen after you've pressed F1. Clock Error or Clock Message appears in your display. The clock on the pc loses time. The computer is constantly showing the unsuitable date.
Must you expertise any of these signs, it's doubtless time to vary the battery in your laptop. If you do not change the battery, the battery will die. Your battery is useless when your screen is blank and you've got thus lost your CMOS Memory Wave System. When a CMOS battery fails, it might probably result in difficulties in booting your laptop, as the BIOS settings, which are important for the working system to speak with the hardware, are lost or reset. Security First: Earlier than starting, guarantee the pc is turned off. Unplug all cables and peripherals to forestall any electrical accidents or damage to the ports. Entry the Battery: For a desktop pc, you may have to open the case to access the motherboard. In a laptop, the location of the CMOS battery may be beneath one of many panels on the underside or, Memory Wave in some instances, below the keyboard. Take away the Outdated Battery: The CMOS battery is often held in place by a clip.
Gently push the clip aside to release the battery. Be careful not to use excessive force that could injury the motherboard. Insert the new Battery: Ensure that the brand new lithium battery is similar kind as the one you're changing. Insert it into the battery socket, guaranteeing the optimistic facet is dealing with up. Reassemble and Test: As soon as the brand new battery is in place, reassemble your computer and re-screw the computer or laptop computer casing. Reconnect all cables and peripherals, then turn on your laptop. Verify if the BIOS settings must be configured and if the clock retains the right time and date. It is because the BIOS may revert to its default configuration, which is probably not optimum for your specific hardware setup or the way in which you employ your pc. Familiarize yourself with entering the BIOS setup (usually by pressing a key like F2, Delete, or Esc during booting) and modify the settings as needed. We up to date this article along with AI know-how, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
Usually, laptop CMOS batteries last 3-5 years. Can a dead CMOS battery affect the operating system? Yes, a useless CMOS battery may cause issues with the operating system by resetting the BIOS settings, which in turn can have an effect on the system's capacity to detect and configure hardware. Is it essential to substitute the CMOS battery in laptops in addition to desktop PCs? Both desktops and Memory Wave System laptops use a CMOS battery, although the substitute course of can be more challenging in laptops as a result of their compact design. All the time consult your laptop’s manual and consider consulting a professional. How do I do know which lithium battery to purchase as a replacement? Most computers use a CR2032 lithium battery, but it is best to check the outdated battery's mannequin earlier than buying a new one. Ensure you purchase the exact match to keep away from compatibility points. Are there any dangers concerned in changing the CMOS battery myself? Whereas replacing the CMOS battery is mostly safe when performed carefully, there is a threat of damaging the motherboard if you happen to apply a lot pressure or by accident discharge static electricity.