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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Orange County
Posts: 7,329
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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.

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Scott
'78 SC mit Sportomatic - Sold
Old 08-20-2022, 12:48 PM
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Get off my lawn!
 
GH85Carrera's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 84,678
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Yep, replace the battery. They are cheap. I bet that fixes it.
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Glen
49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America
1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan
1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine
My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood!
Old 08-20-2022, 01:05 PM
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Thanks Glen. That's what I will do.
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Scott
'78 SC mit Sportomatic - Sold
Old 08-20-2022, 01:11 PM
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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.

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.
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Scott
'78 SC mit Sportomatic - Sold

Last edited by Scott Douglas; 08-23-2022 at 07:37 AM..
Old 08-23-2022, 07:35 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2003
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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)
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“IN MY EXPERIENCE, SUSAN, WITHIN THEIR HEADS TOO MANY HUMANS SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF WARS THAT HAPPENED CENTURIES AGO.”
Old 08-23-2022, 09:29 AM
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Location: Oklahoma
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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.
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Glen
49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America
1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan
1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine
My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood!
Old 08-23-2022, 09:32 AM
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Back in the saddle again
 
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
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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.

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Steve
'08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960
- never named a car before, but this is Charlotte.
'88 targa SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
Old 08-23-2022, 10:04 AM
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