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Thread: Top tip

  1. #1
    uNz[i]'s Avatar Out of order
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    Does your PC reboot for no apparent reason, even though you have auto reboot disabled?
    Does it freeze up, then take about 5 reboots before it'll settle down and run properly again?
    Does it throw corrupted BSODs onto the monitor that do nothing but confuse you?
    Does it occasionally fail to POST, reporting CMOS checksum errors instead, then on reboot, loads Windows anyway?

    Have you tried...

    Updating every driver you could lay your hot little hands on...
    checking every lead and cable for good connectivity...
    Ensuring that the system isn't overheating...
    Cleaning and reseating everything...
    Swapping out all the components...
    Flashing the BIOS to the latest version...
    Reformatting the HDD and reinstalling the OS...

    ...but your PC still isn't stable, and you're ready to hurl the damned thing off the top level of a multistory carpark?

    Then replace the CMOS battery, because it's probably going flat.
    That's what I did after going through all of the above shenanigans, and it's worked wonders.
    Last edited by uNz[i]; 05-20-2005 at 12:28 PM.

  2. Software & Hardware   -   #2
    uNz[i]'s Avatar Out of order
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    :tumbleweed:

  3. Software & Hardware   -   #3
    clocker's Avatar Shovel Ready
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    Quote Originally Posted by uNz[i]

    Then replace the CMOS battery, because it's probably going flat.

    Oh noooooes!
    My CMOS battery is already flat!

    It can only get worse from here....
    Last edited by clocker; 05-21-2005 at 11:51 AM.
    "I am the one who knocks."- Heisenberg

  4. Software & Hardware   -   #4
    uNz[i]'s Avatar Out of order
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    Hardy har har.

    I posted my PC problems here in hardware world a few months ago, and everyone concluded that it was either a dying mobo or graphics card.

    So I was all set to go out and buy a new mobo... and maybe a graphics card too, if the problems persisted.

    Fortunately, I told a mate about the problems, and he suspected the CMOS battery.
    Turns out he was right.
    We tested the old battery with a multimeter... the charge read 1.9 volts.
    Went out and purchased a new one for $3, and had the shopkeeper test it - 3 volts, just as it should be.

    Replacing that dud battery saved me at least $100. Suddenly there were no more random reboots, no lockups, no POST failures and best of all, no need to buy major components.

    Hopefully others with PCs that suffer similar problems as mine did will see this thread and not waste a pile of cash needlessly.
    Last edited by uNz[i]; 05-21-2005 at 12:33 PM.

  5. Software & Hardware   -   #5
    clocker's Avatar Shovel Ready
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    OK, I was being a smartass and your advice is good.

    I'm spoiled because our hardware scanning software checks the CMOS battery and it is VERY uncommon for the battery to have failed.

    I think I've sold one battery since I've been working here and that turned out not to be his problem.

    It's good to have smart friends, no?
    "I am the one who knocks."- Heisenberg

  6. Software & Hardware   -   #6
    uNz[i]'s Avatar Out of order
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    Yeah, it's great to have smart friends... but sometimes I wonder.
    If it wasn't for this particular smart friend, I wouldn't have gotten into computers in the first place... and the damn things are such a double edged sword sometimes...

  7. Software & Hardware   -   #7
    clocker's Avatar Shovel Ready
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    Quote Originally Posted by uNz[i]
    Yeah, it's great to have smart friends... but sometimes I wonder.
    If it wasn't for this particular smart friend, I wouldn't have gotten into computers in the first place... and the damn things are such a double edged sword sometimes...
    Your nickname isn't "Stumpy" by chance, is it?
    "I am the one who knocks."- Heisenberg

  8. Software & Hardware   -   #8
    uNz[i]'s Avatar Out of order
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    I will admit I've had a few close calls... but no lost limbs yet...

  9. Software & Hardware   -   #9
    clocker's Avatar Shovel Ready
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    Give it time.


    Did you know that you can type with your nose?
    It took me a while to master...those Ctrl>Alt>Del's were a bitch!...but my post count average hardly dropped at all.
    "I am the one who knocks."- Heisenberg

  10. Software & Hardware   -   #10
    peat moss's Avatar Software Farmer BT Rep: +15BT Rep +15BT Rep +15
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    Would n't you think the time would be off or get random cmos boot posts. I had this on a work computer and replaced he battery . Hey why are the little buggers so hard to remove and replace any way ?

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