Invalid Config error on start

[Ed from AZ]

This is a Dell Dimension 3000 with Phoenix bios A2 and XP pro SP2.
SP3 is downloaded and waiting to be installed.

A friend asked me to look at it. She got it used "with problems". Oh
yeah - 83 different viruses and trojans!

Well, I`m not a tech, but I can kick tires and check the plugs.
Cleared out the nasties with the good advice from a previous post.
Cleared out the temp files, then did a chkdsk and defrag.

It`s running much smoother now. But there`s an error on power up if
the mains have been powered off (surge supressor turned off or machine
unplugged from the wall).

Invalid configuration information. Please run setup.
Diskette drive 0 seek failed.
Performing automatic IDE configuration.
Time-of-day not set.

I can hit F2 for bios setup, disable the floppy because it doesn`t
have one, and set the date and time. As long as it stays plugged in,
it`s okay. Kill mains power, though, and it loses its brain.

Any fixes for a non-tech to apply? Or does this need professional
help? Then again, if it`s just this minor annoyance and she`s good
with it, is it okay to run like this?

Ed

 

[Hot-Text]

Dead cmos battery Time for a New One Mr. AZ.

 

[glee]

This is a Dell Dimension 3000 with Phoenix bios A2 and XP pro SP2.
SP3 is downloaded and waiting to be installed.

A friend asked me to look at it. She got it used "with problems". Oh
yeah - 83 different viruses and trojans!

Well, I`m not a tech, but I can kick tires and check the plugs.
Cleared out the nasties with the good advice from a previous post.
Cleared out the temp files, then did a chkdsk and defrag.

It`s running much smoother now. But there`s an error on power up if
the mains have been powered off (surge supressor turned off or machine
unplugged from the wall).

Invalid configuration information. Please run setup.
Diskette drive 0 seek failed.
Performing automatic IDE configuration.
Time-of-day not set.

I can hit F2 for bios setup, disable the floppy because it doesn`t
have one, and set the date and time. As long as it stays plugged in,
it`s okay. Kill mains power, though, and it loses its brain.

Any fixes for a non-tech to apply? Or does this need professional
help? Then again, if it`s just this minor annoyance and she`s good
with it, is it okay to run like this?

Just adding to the chorus in case you don't believe them:
CMOS battery is dead....replace it.

Dell Dimension 3000 manual > Removing and Installing Parts> Battery
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3000/en/OM/j6758A04.pdf

Record all the BIOS settings so you can reset them if needed after
replacing it.
Be very careful not to break the battery socket...use the little tab to
release the old battery.

 

[Paul]

This is a Dell Dimension 3000 with Phoenix bios A2 and XP pro SP2.
SP3 is downloaded and waiting to be installed.

A friend asked me to look at it. She got it used "with problems". Oh
yeah - 83 different viruses and trojans!

Well, I`m not a tech, but I can kick tires and check the plugs.
Cleared out the nasties with the good advice from a previous post.
Cleared out the temp files, then did a chkdsk and defrag.

It`s running much smoother now. But there`s an error on power up if
the mains have been powered off (surge supressor turned off or machine
unplugged from the wall).

Invalid configuration information. Please run setup.
Diskette drive 0 seek failed.
Performing automatic IDE configuration.
Time-of-day not set.

I can hit F2 for bios setup, disable the floppy because it doesn`t
have one, and set the date and time. As long as it stays plugged in,
it`s okay. Kill mains power, though, and it loses its brain.

Any fixes for a non-tech to apply? Or does this need professional
help? Then again, if it`s just this minor annoyance and she`s good
with it, is it okay to run like this?

Ed

Most of the time, the replacement CMOS battery is a CR2032.
You can even get them at Radio Shack. Verify the part number,
before you go shopping.

Note - you can get stale ones, if you go to a crappy battery store in the mall.
Buy from a high volume supplier, to get a fresh one.

As far as the life of that battery goes, it'll last for three years,
if you unplug the computer and put it in the garage in storage. When
the computer is on A.C., the battery lasts a lot longer. The +5VSB
rail of the power supply, powers the load as long as the supply is
switched on at the back, and then the battery isn't called on.
In that way, the battery can last for ten years (rough shelf life estimate).

+5VSB --- 3.3V_regulator? --- diode ---+---- CMOS RAM in Southbridge
|
+3V battery ----------------- diode ---+

The diodes do the steering, so the preferred power source is
used if it is available. If the +5VSB is off, then the battery
gets used. It's about a 5 to 10 microamp load, and most of the
juice runs the backup clock (RTC). If it wasn't for the clock
function, again, the battery would last longer.

Paul

 

[Ed from AZ]

Yep - CR2032 - replaced and all is well.
Last time I ran into that was long, long ago on a Macintosh Performa
pizza box.
That battery cost considerably more than this one!

Thanks all!
Ed

 

[mm]

Yep - CR2032 - replaced and all is well.
Last time I ran into that was long, long ago on a Macintosh Performa
pizza box.

Some macintosh, like the Mac 2, wouldn't run at all when the cmos
battery went dead. For most people this was a trip to the repair
store, since they didn't nkow this was the problem and the battery was
soldered in.

It certainly ran contrary to their image of being well designed from
the buyer's pov.

That battery cost considerably more than this one!

Was that because you had to pay for labor?