Got a bios problem with this computer

[kduncan5]

Referenced in this thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=32&threadid=1958215&enterthread=y


Got everything working properly but if I shut the computer down for any length of time, when I turn it back on I get no video. Pull the motherboard battery for a bit, put it back in, the video works but I get a message telling me the CMOS battery is low. Change the battery, same deal: No video, pull the battery, put it back in, got video but the 'CMOS battery is low'. I've tried 3 different batteries so far, same thing. 2 of them were right out of a fresh package. The 2nd time I changed it, I got the prompt to set the correct date & time and boot on into the OS, but when I shut the computer down and unplugged it for a bit (just to test it out), I got same thing all over again: No video, pull the battery, put it back in, get video but 'CMOS battery is low'.


What gives??? -kd5-

 

[kduncan5]

Sorry to bump, but I'm really hoping you guys can help me with this.

Thanks, -kd5-

 

[marulee]

Originally posted by: kduncan5
Referenced in this thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=32&threadid=1958215&enterthread=y


Got everything working properly but if I shut the computer down for any length of time, when I turn it back on I get no video. Pull the motherboard battery for a bit, put it back in, the video works but I get a message telling me the CMOS battery is low. Change the battery, same deal: No video, pull the battery, put it back in, got video but the 'CMOS battery is low'. I've tried 3 different batteries so far, same thing. 2 of them were right out of a fresh package. The 2nd time I changed it, I got the prompt to set the correct date & time and boot on into the OS, but when I shut the computer down and unplugged it for a bit (just to test it out), I got same thing all over again: No video, pull the battery, put it back in, get video but 'CMOS battery is low'.


What gives??? -kd5-

Not sure how old is your motherboard, but try putting jumper on board to default. Then flash the bios if the board is out of warranty. Never flash if you cannot do it properly! Bios software will instruct you to create a bootable disk to do this.

 

[kduncan5]

Already flashed the bios with the most current, no change in behaviour. -kd5-

 

[kduncan5]

Anyone? -kd5-

 

[mechBgon]

Call Gateway warranty?

 

[kduncan5]

This computer has been out of warranty for several years. Gateway support is next to worthless, that's why I'm here. -kd5-

 

[kduncan5]

Anyone have any other ideas? -kd5-

 

[kduncan5]

Bump

 

[imported_nocturne]

Certainly seems like a defective bios chip...

I would say that you should pick up an extra bios chip, but seeing as it's an old gateway mobo it probably wouldn't be worth the effort/cost. If I was you, I'd start scrapping the computer for parts for the next one...

In any case, whatever path you choose, good luck.

 

[Slikkster]

Found two links that are similar to your situation. In both cases, it was the hard drive or hard drive IDE cable connection that was the real culprit. The battery warning was a red herring.

http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic62785.html

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Desktops/Q_21355457.html

Disconnect the hard drive temporarily and see if you get the warning. Remove the IDE cable from both the drive and the motherboard, and disconnect the power connector to the drive. If you need to boot to something, put a bootable floppy disc in for this test.

If it's not the hard drive, check the other drives' cables and connectors. Disconnect them if necessary and retest the boot.

Further Edit: Here's another link that tells a tale of woe of someone trying to swap their hard drive out of a Gateway box and ended up with a CMOS Low Battery warning and failure to boot or edit bios. Still no resolution posted there, but I would suggest clearing the CMOS after checking all your IDE cables and power connectors, and try booting again.
Should be a jumper pin on the board to clear the CMOS. Make sure the battery removed and the pc is unplugged from the power outlet. Wait about a half hour and reassemble with the battery and power cord. Try booting/accessing bios.

http://discussions.hardwarecentral.com/showthread.php?t=173766