All personal computers have a small battery on the motherboard that provides power to the Complementary Steel Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) chip, hence the identify CMOS battery. This CMOS battery powers the chip, holding info about the system's configuration, such as the onerous disk, date and time, and so forth. It supplies energy even when the computer is off and allows the CMOS to avoid wasting all of the settings. You'll be able to expect the CMOS battery to final for up to 5 years. The more your pc 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 seem in your screen. Run Setup seems in your screen. Press F1 to continue seems in your screen. Invalid drive specification seems on the display after you have pressed F1. Clock Error or Clock Message appears on your display. The clock on the computer loses time. The pc is consistently exhibiting the unsuitable date.

Must you experience any of those symptoms, it is possible 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 display screen is blank and you've got thus lost your CMOS memory. When a CMOS battery fails, it may lead to difficulties in booting your pc, because the BIOS settings, that are essential for the working system to communicate with the hardware, are misplaced or reset. Safety First: Before starting, guarantee the computer is turned off. Unplug all cables and peripherals to prevent any electrical accidents or Memory Wave injury to the ports. Access the Battery: For a desktop laptop, you may have to open the case to entry the motherboard. In a laptop, the location of the CMOS battery may be below one of many panels on the underside or, in some circumstances, underneath the keyboard. Take away the Outdated Battery: The CMOS battery is usually held in place by a clip.

Gently push the clip apart to release the battery. Be careful not to make use of extreme force that might damage the motherboard. Insert the brand new Battery: Make certain the brand new lithium battery is the same sort because the one you're replacing. Insert it into the battery socket, ensuring the constructive facet is dealing with up. Reassemble and Take a look at: As soon as the brand new battery is in place, reassemble your pc and re-screw the computer or laptop casing. Reconnect all cables and peripherals, then turn in your pc. Test if the BIOS settings need to be configured and if the clock retains the right time and date. It is because the BIOS could revert to its default configuration, which will not be optimal on your specific hardware setup or the best way you employ your computer. Familiarize yourself with coming into the BIOS setup (normally by pressing a key like F2, Delete, or Esc during booting) and modify the settings as wanted. We updated this text together with AI technology, then made certain it was reality-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

Typically, computer CMOS batteries final 3-5 years. Can a useless CMOS battery have an effect on the operating system? Yes, a dead CMOS battery may cause issues with the operating system by resetting the BIOS settings, which in flip can affect the system's ability to detect and configure hardware. Is it essential to replace the CMOS battery in laptops in addition to desktop PCs? Both desktops and Memory Wave laptops use a CMOS battery, although the replacement course of can be more challenging in laptops as a result of their compact design. All the time consult your laptop’s handbook and consider consulting a professional. How do I do know which lithium battery to buy as a replacement? Most computers use a CR2032 lithium battery, however it is best to examine the old battery's model earlier than purchasing a new one. Guarantee you buy the exact match to avoid compatibility issues. Are there any risks involved in replacing the CMOS battery myself? While replacing the CMOS battery is generally safe when performed rigorously, there's a threat of damaging the motherboard for those who apply an excessive amount of power or by chance discharge static electricity.