All personalcomputershave a smallbatteryon the motherboard that provide top executive to the Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor ( CMOS ) cow dung , hence the nameCMOS stamp battery . This CMOS barrage powers the Saratoga chip , holding information about the system ’s configuration , such as the hard disc , particular date and time , etc . It put up power even when the computing machine is off and allows theCMOSto preserve all the background . you’re able to gestate the CMOS shelling to last for up tofive years . The more your computer is used , the longer the battery will last .

How Do You Know That Your CMOS Battery Is Dying?

Here are sometell - story signsthat your bombardment is dying :

Should you experience any of these symptom , it ’s probable time to change the battery in your computer . If you do n’t change the stamp battery , the battery will perish . Your battery is numb when your CRT screen is white and you have thus lost your CMOS storage .

Recognizing the Need for a CMOS Battery Replacement

When your screen background computer or laptop outset experiencing the symptom of CMOS battery loser , it ’s a unmortgaged indication that theCMOS bombardment , often a lithium electric battery , is nearing the end of its lifespan . When a CMOS battery fails , it can chair to difficulties in booting your computer , as the BIOS options , which are essential for the operating arrangement to communicate with the hardware , are fall behind or reset .

Replacing a CMOS Battery

Replacing an old battery with a novel one is astraightforward processbut require careful handling to avoid damage to your computer ’s motherboard or other components . Here ’s the staple to withdraw the battery and supercede it :

After Replacing the CMOS Battery

After you supplant a numb CMOS bombardment , you might need to re - move into the BIOS mount . This is because the BIOS may retrovert to its default configuration , which may not be optimum for your specific computer hardware setup or the way you apply your computer . Familiarize yourself with entering the BIOS setup ( usually by press a key like F2 , Delete , or Esc during booting ) and align the preferences as needed .

We updated this article in conjunction with AI engineering , then made certain it was fact - checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor .

Frequently Answered Questions

A scientist checking the battery compartment of an electronic device in his hand