Finding the CMOS reset jumper

[calvinbiss]

I need to reset the BIOS on my old ABIT motherboard, but have no idea which jumper is the reset jumper. I haven't done this in a long time, and I can't even remember the process. Do you simply remove the jumper, or move it to the neighboring position? Can I just bypass this whole mess by pulling the watch battery out for a few seconds to reset the board?

Thanks alot, this has been frustrating me all weekend!!

 

[iRONic]

What model is the motherboard?

 

[erikistired]

it should be labeled. usually it's near the battery. you can always download the manual from abit and check. on my board (and most all of my boards) you just move it from 1-2 to 2-3 for 10 seconds or so and then move it back (with the system off).

 

[calvinbiss]

Originally posted by: iRONic
What model is the motherboard?

This is my problem! I bilt this computer in college a few years back, and can't for the life of me remember the model, and I think my girlfriend "cleaned" my files in which i was keeping such information. The board has to be 6 years old, SDRAM, etc etc. I recall the possbily the model is KT-8 or something.

I think I am going to move the jumper closest to the battery for starters.

Thanks guys

 

[erikistired]

look at the board, it should be labeled if it's an abit. look near the pci slots.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, You got some pretty good replies. In addition, if you can't find the jumper remove the battery, wait 2-3 hours and put it back. Should be reset. No AC power to the board while you do jumpers or batt removal. Good Luck, Jim

 

[acole1]

2-3 hours? When I have had to use that method to reset bios, 2-3 min worked almost every time.

Hey, if it doesn't work the first time, just pull it out again for longer the seccond time!

 

[CKTurbo128]

Take a picture of the motherboard, upload it to Imageshack, and post a link so we can see what motherboard it is.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi Acole, Length of time it takes to completely discharge the caps in the CMOS circuits depends on the designer of the MB. The time is designed to give you time to change the batt without losing your BIOS SETUP. I always tell them to go a couple of hours as there is no way to know how the MB designer set it up. Some assume the new batt is already on hand and others know that most folks will take the batt with them to the store. Hope this clarifies things for you. Jim

 

[acole1]

Originally posted by: JimPhelpsMI
Hi Acole, Length of time it takes to completely discharge the caps in the CMOS circuits depends on the designer of the MB. The time is designed to give you time to change the batt without losing your BIOS SETUP. I always tell them to go a couple of hours as there is no way to know how the MB designer set it up. Some assume the new batt is already on hand and others know that most folks will take the batt with them to the store. Hope this clarifies things for you. Jim

That makes sense. I have not tried it on any newer model motherboards. No harm in waiting a couple of hours, if you have the time.

 

[Brian48]

Or,.........you could just take a minute and reset all the jumpers on the board itself. One of them HAS TO BE the jumper. Nothing says that you can only reset the CMOS.

 

[natto fire]

Typically it is near the battery itself. Also, with the PSU disconnected, check with a voltmeter for 3V on jumpers near the battery. This will be quicker than messing with them all until it finally clears. Usually there is a third pin to immediately ground the capacitors out and clear the CMOS, so check the jumpers that have only 3 pins first.

 

[jondl]

I have an old kt133a motherboard and the CMOS reset switch doesn't have a jumper at all. The only way to reset cmos on my board is to get a flathead screwdriver or something that can short the two together.

 

[stu1811]

Easier move...take the battery out, wait 5 seconds and put it back in.

 

[SparkyJJO]

jumper is a 3 pin header, usually near the battery. I've seen them labeled as BAT_1, JBAT, JBAT_1, and the like. Just move the jumper from the one position (like 1-2) to the next for a few seconds (like 2-3), then back again to the first position.

And whatever you do, don't do it with the comp running