system battery

[Guest]

When I boot my PC, Dell 8300 desktop, I get to a point where it says: system
battery low, then two options, F1 to continue and F2 to enter setup. I
figure I have to change the onboard CR2032 battery, since I've never changed
it before and it's the stock battery that came from Dell when I purchased the
PC. Can I change the battery without any problems, like having to configure
anything in BIOS or setup? Or can I just change the battery and not make any
configurations in setup? I'm running Windows XP Pro, but I'd also like to
know about other operating systems, since I'm using Windows ME in the Gateway
Performance 800, and Windows 98SE in the Dell XPS T500. I haven't changed any
system batteries in those PCs yet either. I have 2 Compaq Presario 5000 A
Series PCs too. Those have Windows XP Pro upgrade, and Windows Home Edition
operating systems.
Thanks,
attilathehun1

 

[Malke]

When I boot my PC, Dell 8300 desktop, I get to a point where it says:
system
battery low, then two options, F1 to continue and F2 to enter setup.
I figure I have to change the onboard CR2032 battery, since I've never
changed it before and it's the stock battery that came from Dell when
I purchased the PC. Can I change the battery without any problems,
like having to configure anything in BIOS or setup? Or can I just
change the battery and not make any configurations in setup? I'm
running Windows XP Pro, but I'd also like to know about other
operating systems, since I'm using Windows ME in the Gateway
Performance 800, and Windows 98SE in the Dell XPS T500. I haven't
changed any system batteries in those PCs yet either. I have 2 Compaq
Presario 5000 A Series PCs too. Those have Windows XP Pro upgrade, and
Windows Home Edition operating systems.

It's not hard or expensive to change a motherboard battery on a desktop.
Usually the batteries cost under $5 USD. In most cases, you won't even
lose your BIOS settings but if you set custom ones, it would be smart
to write them down first. Here are some links to help you:

How To Replace The CMOS Battery In Your PC -
http://www.liverepair.com/encyclopedia/articles/cmosreplace.asp

How to replace the CMOS battery -
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000239.htm

When was the last time you thought about the battery in your PC? -
http://home.i-plus.net/jtmurphy/cmos.htm

When working inside your case, remove the power cord from the back of
the computer first.

Malke

 

[Jonny]

When I boot my PC, Dell 8300 desktop, I get to a point where it says:
system
battery low, then two options, F1 to continue and F2 to enter setup. I
figure I have to change the onboard CR2032 battery, since I've never
changed
it before and it's the stock battery that came from Dell when I purchased
the
PC. Can I change the battery without any problems, like having to
configure
anything in BIOS or setup? Or can I just change the battery and not make
any
configurations in setup? I'm running Windows XP Pro, but I'd also like to
know about other operating systems, since I'm using Windows ME in the
Gateway
Performance 800, and Windows 98SE in the Dell XPS T500. I haven't changed
any
system batteries in those PCs yet either. I have 2 Compaq Presario 5000 A
Series PCs too. Those have Windows XP Pro upgrade, and Windows Home
Edition
operating systems.
Thanks,
attilathehun1

The CR2032 battery is a coin cell, or watch battery. The only thing
critical is the polarity when installing. You will at a minimum, have to
change the date and time after installing the new battery. If there are any
custom bios settings (not default), those will have to be manually input as
well.

The operating system doesn't care. The only thing critical is the battery
type for the cmos. The soldered in type can be jumpered out using a battery
pack. The Dallas battery chip type needs an equivalent replacement.

If the PC is jam packed with add-on innards, there may be a problem with
configuration of irqs by the bios. Clearing the cmos, pulling the innards
to basic, booting up for bios to find these, turn off the PC, then add on
one goodie at time, same routine. Don't move the goodies to other slots.
Not normal for "as is" factory PCs, can happen with custom/homebuilt PCs
packed to the gills.

Always disconnect the AC feed line from power before replacing the cmos
battery.