Proper way to reset CMOS

[RadiclDreamer]

I've seen quite a few times here lately where someone tells another member how to clear their cmos settings. Usually they recommend the very working, but very slow way of doing it, removing the battery.

This is not necessary, this should only be used when you either:

Cant find the clear cmos jumper

or

One doesnt exist.

The proper way is to move the shunt from the "normal" position to the "clear" poistion and then press the power button one time. The system will not power but the cmos will be cleared. You then move it back to the "Normal" position and continue about your merry way

Sorry of this sounds like a rant or anything, its not. I just hate to see people wasting their time waiting for the juice to drain to clear the cmos when it can really be done in 30 seconds

 

[JustaGeek]

Honestly, this is the weirdest suggestion I've heard - and I don't mean to critisize.

Personally, I would not risk to attempt to do it this way. Never seen that in any manual.

But perhaps we'll get more opinions on that.

My motherboard belongs to one of the most difficult MB's around, and the "long" way of clearing CMOS is recommended, with the 10 min wait and pressing the Power Button to drain the caps.

 

[Cutthroat]

Well every motherboard I've owned had a clear CMOS jumper, and the manual stated to do exactly as RadiclDreamer said.

However, with that said, every motherboard is different, and sometimes the clr CMOS jumper is difficult to find, or difficult to move. I usually recommend the battery method on forums as well because it prevents the next inevitable question... "What's a CMOS jumper, where do I find that?"

The battery is usually easy to locate and remove.

EDIT: With my old Asus P5N32-E SLI the CMOS jumper was to difficult to get to, and the battery wasn't much better. I rigged some fan power extensions to the CMOS jumper and out the back of the case, I was able to use the jumper from there. With my new Asus P5K Deluxe I have never had to reset the CMOS, the motherboard has always reset itself when it couldn't POST.

 

[JustaGeek]

P5N32-E SLI manual could not possibly recommend that method. It's basically the same as my P5N-E SLI.

 

[Cutthroat]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
P5N32-E SLI manual could not possibly recommend that method. It's basically the same as my P5N-E SLI.

It certainly does, look for yourself.:camera:

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Inconceiveable! Do you mean to tell me you are recommending reading the manual? Heresy!

 

[JustaGeek]

Well, I guess you learn something every day.

But... My manual recommends the other method, with removing the battery, and about 15 sec. wait (yes, Magnus, some people do read their motherboards' manuals).

I would never do it unless and until the manual actually describes the procedure.

 

[Modelworks]

If the jumper shorts out the supply to the bios chip then using the jumper alone will work, provided you don't leave it on too long.
I think most of the motherboards out now probably have protection against leaving the jumper on, but I do know for a fact that a motherboard from 1998
made by compaq would actually burn out a part if you shorted the jumper with the pc battery in place.

Its for the above reason why I tell people to remove the battery, it takes what 10 secs?

 

[jr22jess]

Yeah but how am I going to find that on a laptop?

 

[bwatson283]

I have never heard of the power on way! i thought it was asinine.

 

[bwatson283]

the proper way to do it in my book is this. Take out the battery. Lick the battery for 10seconds. Put the Battery back. Reset the Cmos with the jumper for 10 seconds, then put the jumper back. Then proceed to power on while holding a metal screw to the large capacitors next to the CPU.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: bwatson283
I have never heard of the power on way! i thought it was asinine.

Not asinine at all, this is the way its done. However as stated it is sometimes hard or impossible to get to the shunt, so the battery is an easy alternative. It just seemed that I saw wayyy too many recommendations of removing the battery which is time consuming (have I waited long enough? No, damn start over)

 

[imported_Baloo]

Now that is just silly. Everybody nows the only right way to clear the cmos is to move the jumber and wait 30 days. Yes, days, not seconds, not minutes, not hours, DAYS.

Naa. I'm kidding. RadiclDreamer is correct.

 

[JustaGeek]

The bottom line:

Read the manual, and follow the recommended procedure for your particular motherboard.

It's definitely not the rocket science...