replacing cmos battery

[henmaster]

The cmos battery on my moms old computer (a 486 SX 25) recently died. I have a dead Abit BH6 lying around with a functional cmos battery, from what I can see. Can I use it in my old computer, and will anything be damaged if it turns out to be incompatible? Thanks.

 

[MichaelD]

Look at the old battery, it should have a size designation (i.e. CR2032 or something like that) Go to WalMart, buy a replacement. If they don't have the exact replacement b/c the old batter is too old, they usually have a "compatibility/replacement chart" lying around. I.E. your battery 123xyz isn't made any more but an exact replacement is 456abc. G'luck.

EDIT

DO NOT just throw any old battery in there. They come in different voltages and you could (probably will) fry the CMOS.

 

[AthlonMan]

Lots of the old CMOS battery's are built right on the motherboard you need to get a jumper battery which are not to easy to find anymore. If it is a standard battery on the 486 then it would be fine.

 

[Sundog]

CMOS batteries are REALLY cheap. Get a new one.

 

[DDad]

Nickle bet says you won't find a "coin" style battery on the MB. To get the system back up, you'll probably have to go with AthlonMans suggestion.

Problem is, most of the "jumper batterys" are of 1994 vintage, meaning they ain't much good either! You may well have to figure out how to make your own- good luck!