Computer question...
 

My wife's Dell desktop got a BIOS flash a couple weeks ago and now it can't remember the date so has problems booting up.
Is this indicative of a dead or dying system battery?
You know the small battery on the motherboard that helps it remember things when shut off.

Yep, replace the battery. They are cheap. I bet that fixes it.

Thanks Glen. That's what I will do.

OK, battery replaced this morning and it appears to have fixed the problem.
Thanks!

I found my wrist strap for grounding myself to the case (yes I am schooled in ESD so use it religiously when working inside my computers) has undergone some kind of self destruct phase of disintegration. The cord has some kind of blue goo all over it and the insulation is falling off/cracking all over the place.
Anyone know what's going on with that?
At first I thought I might have a spare battery leaking in the drawer I keep it in but that's not the case.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1661268854.JPG
I assume I can get another cord/cable to snap onto the wrist strap portion which is in good shape, albeit old.

Replacing the battery was easier than expected too. Online said I'd have to remove the video card. Nope it was in plain sight with no obstructions in the way. 5 minute job once the computer was unhooked and on the bench.

In 35 years of going wrist deep in computers, I've never used a ground strap. And I've never zapped a piece of equipment.

I will say that in our one lab with static-y floors I treated the floors to prevent issues (mix Downey clothes softener with water and spray the carpet down, let dry)

I have a few wrist straps. One is a disposable one, still in a sterile package for use in a clean room.

I too have built a few dozen computers, and taken apart some expensive equipment. I use wrist straps only on very rare occasions.

It sure noes not hurt to use one, but I don't just generate static electricity sitting at my desk and assembling a computer.

I've been shown how to use one, but working with network equipment and building computers, I've never used one, and to my knowledge, I've never zapped anything.