BIOS setting won't save

[1mce]

Somehow the PowerON got set to AUTO on my computer. I alway turn off my
computer when away for an extended time and turn off the surge protector.
Now when I power on the surge protector, my compter powers up w/o having to
press the button.

I have gone in to have it "NOT" do this, but it keeps reverting to AUTO on.
Any ideas on how to keep the NOT (Stay Off) setting to remain.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Richard Urban]

Don't just exit the bios. Do a save and exit. You will likely have to power
down for the change to take after doing so.

 

[1mce]

I have tried this. No luck, thanks anyway.

Don't just exit the bios. Do a save and exit. You will likely have to power
down for the change to take after doing so.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience

 

[nass]

What about Restoring to the Factory Default Settings?
If the machine that old try to repalce the CMOS battery, this can affect the
BIOS not saving any changes and also make sure the Time and Date set
correctly.

 

[shawn]

Maybe the battery for your BIOS is dead. Maybe that's why it won't hold your
setting. You can get them brand new online from Digi-Key's website for about
..30 cents + shipping. If you buy them in the store expect to pay about $2 to
$3. If you buy it in Radio Shack they're 3 for like $12!

Replacing the battery will require you opening one side of your computer
case, you can find it on the motherboard. I'd be sure to unplug the power
supply, and ground yourself before touching anything. It's a round battery
about the size of a quarter.

Mine is a CR2032, as I recently ordered 10 of them to do the whole office.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Maybe the battery for your BIOS is dead.

Maybe, but I'd expect 1mce to experience other symptoms, like the
time/date being wrong, if that were the case.

Maybe that's why it won't hold your
setting. You can get them brand new online from Digi-Key's website for about
.30 cents

I just checked their web site. It's actually 28 cents. A very low
price.

+ shipping.

But their lowest shipping price to my location is $7.47. That makes
the total come to $7.75, a very *high* price.

Even if shipping is less to other locations, the total price with
shipping is still almost certainly a high one.

If you buy them in the store expect to pay about $2 to
$3.

Yes, and that's a *much cheaper* price than $7.75.

 

[1mce]

All good suggestions, thanks. I did think of the battery. However, I am not
having any issues with my time and date. Do you think it could still be the
battery?

 

[nass]

It could be or you need to Update/Flash the BIOS by downloading the latest
software for your Machine specs from the the manufacturer website.
You will need your machine serial number and model number.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

All good suggestions, thanks. I did think of the battery. However, I am not
having any issues with my time and date. Do you think it could still be the
battery?

Could? Yes.

Likely? No.

 

[Unknown]

Test your battery. Shut the computer off, pull the plug, let sit for ten
minutes, plug it in, power up and check the time.
If time is incorrect---you need a new battery.

 

[westom]

All good suggestions, thanks.  I did think of the battery.  However, I am not
having any issues with my time and date.  Do you think it could still be the
battery?

As another noted - could. But the only definitive answer is to
measure battery voltage with a meter. For example, if it is a 3.0
volt battery, then 2.8 volts says, "plan to replace that battery in
the next 6 months." A lower voltage would explain data loss.

Your symptoms are consistent with data not being saved in the CMOS.
That data would be lost if battery voltage is too low OR (I saw this
once) a PC trace has failed between the battery and the IC were CMOS
is stored. Simply used the meter to find no battery voltage on the IC
pin. And the break was underneath a peripheral board connector
implying a manufacturing (copper) defect that was not evident until
years later.