Getting a CMOS checksum error after computer took a fall

[Hardball]

A rig I have been running for several years took a fall off the desk the other day. I was pleasantly suprised to find it still worked after a 3ft. fall, but with one unusual behavior. If I disconnect the power cord from the rig while it is off, upon reboot I get "cmos checksum error" with all my bios settings,date time, etc.. now reset. After resetting the bios and reboot, everything is fine. I can power it down and back on as well as rebooting from within windows and all is ok, but if I turn it off and disconnect the power cord and then restart, I get the cmos checksum error and a cleared bios.

I have checked the cmos battery on the motherboard and it seems to be seated properly. Is it possible the battery, which is the original about 5-6 years old, could have been damaged by the fall? Nothing else seems to have been.

 

[ahenkel]

I would check for any shorts on the motherboard, barring that I would replace the battery it's not like they're expensive.

 

[Hardball]

How can you tell if it is a short? What would be the visible signs?

 

[ahenkel]

Check for physical damage, check around the battery too it could be the battery socket is broken.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: ahenkel
Check for physical damage, check around the battery too it could be the battery socket is broken.

Yes, the PSU always powers the BIOS chip unless the PSU is unplugged from the wall outlet. So your BIOS battery is not powering the BIOS chip now.

Check that the battery is seated correctly and check the contacts under the battery.