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Can the CMOS battery be replaced while the computer is running without incurring any problems? I am trying to keep the CMOS settings intacted without having to reset them. Doesn't the power supply +5V take over for the battery when the computer is ON, therefore, changing it while the computer is ON? Bottom line, what is the best method to replace the CMOS battery and still retain the settings? Thanks in advance.
Can't answer since we don't have the design spec's on your system.
How do you know that isn't part of the Dallas chip RTC?Why would you ask such a question? The safe way would be to turn off. Why do you think you need a new battery? Unlikely that it is VCC 5VDC even.
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I think you will find that the CMOS will probably lose its power when you remove the battery regardless of whether the computer is turned on or off. Once the computer is up and running, the CMOS memory plays no further part in the proceedings. The CMOS battery is normally 3v, not 5v.
Poking about inside a computer with the power on is a sure fire way generate a disaster. The slightest slip and the smoke escapes.
The easiest way to retain settings when replacing the battery is to write them down on a piece of paper.
Stuart
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You need to boot up, and press either the F2 key or the delete key when the PC is in POST (first screen), then go into CMOS and write down every config setting, and heading, no matter how obvious, on EVERY page, that way, when you put your battery in you know what settings are what.
Talent does what it can;
Genius does what it must!
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First thing is that, if you haven't gone into the bios and changed it, it is at default right now and will remain that way if you change the battery. With the exception of the time, which you can set from Windows.
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Paper, you know that white stuff that you put marks on with a pen or pencil so you can remember things.
It may be easy for someone that is familiar with the BIOS and its settings to do them of the top of their head.
But for someone not familiar with the settings and what they all mean, writing them down before removing the battery is a very good way to proceed.
Stuart
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Oh, I wasn't demeaning recording things to jog one's memory. Lord knows, at my age, I must do that.
It's just that I'd forgotten you could do it with paper and pencil.
I couldn't agree with you more on the advisability of recording it somehow.
LOL
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So there is a default bios setting, mine must be that cause I've never been in there !
Thanks
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There is a small chance you can back up, but you will not see this on many systems!
If you do have an option to backup and restore this would make life easy, but apart from using a digital cam to take a pic of your cmos screen settings then get your pencil sharpener out as advised previously.
Good luck.
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