Would a dead CMOS battery prevent a computer from starting up for the first time?

Legendary

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2002
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I just got a brand-new KR7A-RAID, and I'm holding out on it and hoping it's not dead, and I've tried damn near everything, even bought some new non-ECC RAM and tried every slot. I know the processor works, and the video as well, so I'm thinking, maybe the CMOS battery is dead?

Keep in mind, the computer has never started, not even once, so if the battery was shipped dead, would it prevent the computer from starting at all? I get power to the motherboard, and the drives are spinning when I press the power button, but there is nothing on the display...any ideas?
 

HappyPuppy

Lifer
Apr 5, 2001
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2
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A dead CMOS battery shouldn't keep your computer from booting up. It would cause the bios to reset to default on every restart and the time and date would be fubared.

Are the vid card and RAM seated? Is it possible the motherboard is shorting on the case or mb tray? Any beeps?


Another thought. Have you tried clearing the bios as per the user manual instructions?
 

Legendary

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2002
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<< A dead CMOS battery shouldn't keep your computer from booting up. It would cause the bios to reset to default on every restart and the time and date would be fubared.

Are the vid card and RAM seated? Is it possible the motherboard is shorting on the case or mb tray? Any beeps?


Another thought. Have you tried clearing the bios as per the user manual instructions?
>>



Hmm I've tried reseating RAM and video card, still same result. It might be shorting but I doubt that, how would it short? If it was touching the tray directly?
I've tried clearing the BIOS, no help. :(

Also, I have no beeps because my PC Speaker is shot. :(
 

HappyPuppy

Lifer
Apr 5, 2001
16,997
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71
The motherboard could be shorting on an extra/unused standoff. Sometimes the obvious is the easiest to overlook.

I'm not implying you're inept, just trying to throw some ideas your way and keep your post on top until someone experienced with that board drops in.
 

Legendary

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2002
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AHA! A not completely screwed on screw into a mount...perhaps that's it. Thanks!
BRB. Trying now, I'll be back with results.

Edit: I'll have to do it tomorrow, it appears to be that my friend has my only computer-fitting screwdriver.
 

Dunbar

Platinum Member
Feb 19, 2001
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A dead CMOS battery can cause it not to boot, it's only $3 at Radio Shack (pull the number off the batt.) Shorting out will do it too, unmount the motherboard from the case to check this.