How to Fix CMOS Checksum Errors

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  1. "How to Fix CMOS Checksum Errors" covers the circumstances for seeing certain CMOS messages on your Windows PC. These messages are typically generated by the CMOS battery running low on juice, which requires a replacement battery to be installed. The steps to replace your CMOS battery are reviewed, as well as the needed precautions to protect your PC's system board from electrostatic discharge.

    by Jan 19, '12
    if you get error messages such as cmos read error, cmos checksum error, or cmos battery failure when you power up desktop windows pc, then there is a simple fix that costs very little in the way of time and money.

    ninety percent of the time, the problem is a little lithium battery that provides the power to maintain the date and time as well as your bios settings when your computer is powered off. when this battery dies, you get the above error messages, because your bios settings can no longer be refreshed. this can seriously affect the proper startup of your pc. in fact, you can many times tell the battery is on its way out because you find yourself correcting the date and time that is displayed in the notification bar of your windows pc. as soon as you notice that you have to adjust it when you boot up, prepare to change out the battery at your earliest convenience.

    the process is easy, but you have to be comfortable in opening your desktop case and working a bit inside your desktop. check your user manual if you are unsure as to how to remove the cover of your desktop. also note any cautions your manual brings to your attention. there are a couple of points i want to emphasize to protect both yourself and your motherboard. first, be sure to unplug your computer from your surge protector or power outlet. as long as your pc is plugged in, it is drawing a trickle of electricity even when it is powered off. second, when you position your desktop to remove the cover, try using a table that does not necessitate your standing on a carpeted floor. carpets are very good producers of static electricity, which can be deadly to the health of your computer. finally, touch a section of the metal frame on your desktop chassis to discharge any static electricity your body may be carrying. better yet, buy an esd(electrostatic discharge) strap that can be worn on your wrist when performing operations inside your pc case. you can obtain a wrist strap from radio shack or a local computer shop for about $10 us. the esd strap continuously grounds any static charge harmlessly to protect the electronics of your pc.

    the battery is a coin type, like an oversize watch battery, as shown below, and most of the time in today’s computers, it will be a cr2032 by part number.

    a typical cr2032 cmos battery

    i purchased one a few months ago at wal-mart for about $3.00 us. you can often find them in stock in some of the drug store chains and also radio shack. the cmos battery on average is viable for about five years. however, some may die in two years, while you may have one that lasts for eight years.

    you can read a step by step tutorial on how to change out your cmos battery here.
    laptops use similar batteries, but are much more difficult to replace. in fact, some are impossible to replace, and some require the removal of so many components that it takes a factory trained technician to get to the battery.

    have you ever replaced or had someone else replace a cmos battery in your desktop?

    your comments are very welcome.
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    by CaptainPC Jan 19, '12 3:52 pm
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  2. Article Information

    CaptainPC has been hanging around computers since 1982, when audio cassette tapes were common storage media in home computing. He is the Administrator of his church network, and holds Comptia's A Plus Certification for PC Hardware Maintenance & Repair, as well as Comptia's Network Plus certification in general networking. The Captain spends his time maintaining computers and cleaning malware infections. He also currently serves as an Administrator on Windows Secrets Lounge Forums.

    APA Style Citation

    CaptainPC. (Jan 19, '12). How to Fix CMOS Checksum Errors. Retrieved Sunday, May 19, 2013, from http://allnurses-breakroom.com/showthread.php?t=664145

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