cmos battery

[James Takac]

On Friday 15 June 2007 23:22:52 debiani386 at gmail.com wrote:
> On Fri June 15 2007 7:12 pm, norman wrote:
> > < snip >
> >
> > > > > Does this message mean anything disastrous, what adverse effects do
> > > > > I need to look out for and is there any way I can check to see if
> > > > > the message is valid? Please advise.
> > > > >
> > > > > Norman
> > >
> > > exactly. This battery helps the mobo keep time via the rtc (real time
> > > clock). So you'll likely find the clock will be out untill you replace
> > > this battery. Also any changes you made in the bios wont be remembered
> > > once you power down until it's replaced. it's no biggy
> >
> > Thank you both for your comments. The odd thing is that the date and
> > time, which I expected to be affected, seem to be OK. Also, I changed a
> > setting in the bios about 2 weeks ago and that has not changed. So I am
> > wondering whether, for some reason, the message is false.
> >
> > Norman
>
> well, if your booting to ubuntu, i think ubuntu syncs the date and time
> with another server
>
>  --cj

Hi cj

Ubuntu doesn't do that by default it seems. I had to setup the clock to sync 
the time with an online server myself on my pc's. A comment in a prev email 
caught my eye though. If the power lead is left plugged in when the pc is 
powered down, it's possible the mobo is drawing enough power to keep the cmos 
memory intact. If the power lead is removed for a while after powering down 
and the bios still has the correct time after powering back up later, then 
the battery is still good. The contancts where the baterry sits could be 
examined for any signs of tarnishing as well. Any tarnishing (oxidization) 
tends to interfere with conductivity and could be easily fixed with a light 
rub with some fine grade sandpaper, possibly even one of those ink erasers, 
the one with the grey end.

James