Anyone Good With Computers? I Need Help

[scoutsmom99]

For the past few days when I turn on my computer I get a black screen that says battery voltage low it then gives me two options. The first option is to strike F1 to continue or F2 to go to the start-up utlity. I hit F2 twice and went to the start-up utlity and I looked under the power mangement part, but I didn't find anything to do with battery voltage. I even tried searching for battery voltage in the help area on my computer, but it did not find anything. So has anyone else had this problem or know what I should do?

 

[mmexpress]

Ther is a lithium battery on the main board on a pc for clock and date memory, maybe it needs to be replaced.

 

[2BigKIdz]

Ther is a lithium battery on the main board on a pc for clock and date memory, maybe it needs to be replaced.

This is what I was going to suggest. How old is the pc?

 

[scoutsmom99]

This is what I was going to suggest. How old is the pc?

hmmm It is a dell PC and I purchased it in Dec 2004. If that is the case is there somewhere I can take the computer or should I just call Dell?

 

[mmexpress]

Find someone local to you that does pc repair.
Dell's customer service and tech support sucks.
You'll end up talking to someone in another country.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Find someone local to you that does pc repair.
Dell's customer service and tech support sucks.
You'll end up talking to someone in another country.

Thanks. would somewhere like Best Buy Geek Squad people be able to do it or should I look for someone independently?

 

[dundee10]

You could do it yourself! It's not that hard . . .

If you have the manual to the computer (or the motherboard), you can get the battery number you need. I'm guessing it'll cost somewhere between $5-$10. Best Buy, Radio Shack, a local mom-and-pop computer store would have them.

With the new battery in hand, open the case. Look on the motherboard for the lithium battery. Scoop out the old, pop in the new (better to handle the new battery with a tissue or such, to keep hand oils off the battery so the contacts will work better.

Close up the case, you're done.

 

[Servants of Evan]

If it's the CMOS battery (which is what is being described in the posts above) simply remove the side cover. You can see the battery --- about the size of a nickle -- wedged into little clips on the motherboard. Look closely, you'll probably be able to read the battery number stamped on the battery itself. Write this down and head off to radio shack. They should have it. Then as others have said, simply replace the battery. Don't touch anything else in there -- you don't want to send a static shock through your motherboard. Then put the side cover back on and turn on your machine. You'll have to reset your clock but I'll assume you know how to do that. Smile, you just saved yourself a considerable amount of money versus having someone do this for you!

And just to double check: We are discussing a desktop PC here -- not a laptop, correct?

 

[scoutsmom99]

dundee10 and Servants of Evan,

Thank-you very much for your advice . I'm going to have my brother come and take a look at it and see if he can't do it for me. I'm nervous that if I do this myself I will screw something up!!! I think I found the part in my user manual where this is talked about...Does that sound right? Funny thing is that I have not had a problem with the time and date on my computer at all. Although the Dis time always seems off, but my computer alsways has the same time as my cell phone.

Battery
Replacing the Battery
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.

NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer’s electronic components. You can do so bytouching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.

A coin-cell battery maintains computer configuration, date, and time information. The battery can last several years.
If you have to repeatedly reset time and date information after turning on the computer, replace the battery.

CAUTION: A new battery can explode if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

To replace the battery:
1 Record all the screens in system setup (see page 113) so that you can restore the correct settings in step 8.
2 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 63.
3 Locate the battery socket (see page 75).
NOTICE: If you pry the battery out of its socket with a blunt object, be careful not to touch the system board with the object. Ensure that the object is inserted between the battery and the socket before you
attempt to pry out the battery. Otherwise, you may damage the system board by prying off the socket or by breaking circuit traces on the system board.
4 Remove the battery by carefully prying it out of its socket with your fingers or with a blunt, nonconducting object such as a plastic screwdriver.
5 Insert the new battery into the socket with the side labeled "+" facing up, and snap the battery into place.
6 Close the computer cover (see page 107).
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer.
7 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
8 Enter system setup (see page 113) and restore the settings you recorded in step 1.
9 Properly dispose of the old battery. See the Product Information Guide for battery disposal information.

 

[Servants of Evan]

Yep. CMOS battery. I have faith that you can do it yourself. You're a mom, you can do anything! Think of the feeling of accomplishment!!! It's not tough at all, just take an extra moment and take it slow when you pull the old one out and put the new one in. It's easy -- just don't walk all over your carpet and then stick your hand into the machine!!! With the instructions you've got, you'll be fine.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Servants of Evan,
Thanks for the vote of confidence I will have to tackle it this weekend!