Quick question - help needed

[Tasocahtfu]

If a computer is not holding information when it is switched off at the plug for say more than half an hour, such as the time and date, bios information etc, does this mean that the motherboard battery is dying?

I keep getting the bios screen come up on an old computer I said my sister could have, saying I need to set the CPU speed as it has been re-installed, and it doesn't save any of the settings I chose from the Windows install. And whenever it does all this the date is set to January 02 once you make it to Windows!

Are motherboard/BIOS batteries something you can buy from an electrical store or do they have to be specially ordered? The computer in question uses an old Asus board from about 5 years ago.

Thanks for any help

 

[Jumping]

Sounds very much like your battery is drained.

Its usually really easy to replace the battery unless its soldered in which I dont think happens anymore. If I remember correctly the battery you need is a CR2032 but before you go get a new battery just remove the bad one and check exactly what type it is.

You should be able to get it in most stores that sells batteries.

 

[Tasocahtfu]

Thanks very much for confirming that Jumping, I don't think the battery is soldered in as you say, so I'll have a look and go get a replacement.

Cheers